Sedex Applies for SSCI Benchmarking on SMETA 7.0

Our leading on-site audit, SMETA 7.0, is undergoing benchmarking with the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI). As a highly reputable, independent assessment of SMETA, this is an important step for Sedex.

The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is an industry solution, from The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), committed to building trust in sustainability standards globally by supporting the benchmarking and recognition of audition, monitoring and certification programmes.  

We’ve started the Benchmarking Process for SMETA 7.0, under the SSCI’s “Manufacturing & Processing” and “Primary Production” scopes. The process delivers an independent review of the SMETA methodology, demonstrating our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement to deliver effective assessment solutions.

This move brings the world’s most widely used social audit – SMETA – into the SSCI sphere, reflecting the growing momentum for supply chain due diligence across sectors and regions. To date, the SSCI has recognised seven schemes, with five others currently in progress for recognition.

“We welcome Sedex’s decision to advance the SSCI Benchmarking Process. With its broad global reach and strong emphasis on data to inform decision-making, Sedex plays a significant role in supporting organisations working to enhance transparency and responsible practices in their supply chains.

We look forward to following their benchmarking journey as part of SSCI’s commitment to support the consumer goods industry to achieve sustainable and responsible supply chains, and support global corporate due diligence.”

Didier Bergeret, Sustainability Director at the CGF

Why we’re pursuing SSCI recognition

• Independent validation: SSCI recognition would provide impartial, third-party validation that offers you and your stakeholders greater confidence in SMETA’s rigour and reliability.

• Enhanced transparency: The Benchmarking Process includes public consultation and external expert review, demonstrating our commitment to openness and accountability.

• Industry alignment: Undergoing SSCI benchmarking is part of ensuring SMETA continues to meet evolving industry standards and regulatory requirements.

“This is a significant and exciting milestone for Sedex. The Consumer Goods Forum’s SSCI is a renowned initiative that confers significant credibility on the schemes it recognises – I’m delighted we’re taking SMETA through this rigorous Benchmarking Process.

Our audit is already trusted all over the world; independent recognition from SSCI would offer our stakeholders, and our customers’ stakeholders, even greater assurance of SMETA’s robustness.”

Jon Hancock, Chief Executive Officer, Sedex

We’ve completed the first few steps of the Benchmarking Process, including updating our customers about this exciting step. To monitor our progress, visit the SSCI Recognition homepage.

About SMETA

Sedex launched SMETA in 2004, to create a common social audit methodology that would improve quality, reduce duplication, and provide standardised, comparable data across global supply chains.

Now in version 7.0, SMETA is a comprehensive onsite assessment tool for identifying labour, health and safety, environmental, and business ethics risks.

It assesses individual supply chain worksites against local legislation and the ETI Base Code, driving consistent worker protections across industries and geographies.

Discover the power of SMETA for site-level due diligence

Speak to our team to learn more about SMETA – discover the power of in-person, site-level data and assessments for more effective supply chain due diligence.

Learn more about the SSCI Benchmark at benchmark.tcgfssci.com.

For more information about the SSCI, please visit www.tcgfssci.com or contact the SSCI team at ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com.