Sedex Consultation on SMETA Collaborative Action Required (CARs) and Issue

SMETA 7 was launched in September 2024 following extensive consultation with AACs, Sedex customers and external stakeholders. Since then, 71,000 SMETA 7 audits have been conducted. Throughout implementation, the SMETA Evolution team has worked closely with customers and AACs to understand challenges and support effective use of the updated methodology.

Feedback to date has been positive, particularly on the clearer workplace requirements, the introduction of Collaborative Action Required (CARs), and the new Management Systems Assessment. At the same time, stakeholders have highlighted areas where further refinement is needed to support consistent implementation and strengthen assessment and remediation. 

There are 2 key areas the consultation will focus on; the Collaborative Action Required mechanism and Issue Titles.  

The main area of feedback since SMETA 7 was launched has been on the challenges in implementing the Collaborative Action Required mechanism in practice. This is a priority area for members and a key focus for the consultation.

At the launch of SMETA 7, Sedex committed to conducting an Issue Title review in 2025/2026 as this was identified as a key area for improvement but was not included within the new methodology updates.  

Sedex has now launched a consultation focused on these two topics. 

Aims of the Consultation 

The consultation seeks to: 

• Gather feedback from Sedex customers, AACs and other stakeholders on the key challenges relating to SMETA 7 CARs and Issue Titles. 

• Review suggestions and identify priority solutions that Sedex can implement.  

• Inform Sedex’s activity focus for 2026. 

• Provide updates on feedback received, actions taken and resulting changes to SMETA 7 or related services. 

Sedex will ensure that any changes remain aligned with the ETI Base Code, ILO conventions, Human Rights Due Diligence expectations and relevant regulations. Priority areas identified through the consultation will be communicated at the end of the consultation period. Sedex will then work with smaller, representative working groups to deliver agreed improvements.  

Areas for Consultation 

1. Collaborative Action Required (CARs) 

The Collaborative Action Required mechanism (CARs) was introduced in SMETA 7 as a new type of finding. The purpose of CARs was to allow issues to be raised in audits which may have a more complex, long term, or collaborative remediation pathway. CARs have no criticality level, no remediation deadline and cannot be validated by auditors. 

There are 14 different CARs across the following areas:  

• Employment is freely chosen 

• Responsible recruitment and entitlement to work 

• Child labour shall not be used 

• Living wages are paid 

• No discrimination is practiced 

Some examples of CARs include:  

• Recruitment fees and/or costs have been paid, contrary to law, and there is no plan in place to fully reimburse workers 

• Where child labour has been found it has not been remediated in line with ILO guidance and local legal requirements where applicable 

• A living wage gap analysis has not been completed 

Feedback indicates that further support is needed in three areas: 

1. Effective and consistent prioritisation of CARs 

2. Actioning and remediating CARs once identified 

3. Demonstrating and monitoring progress 

2. Issue Titles 

Issue Titles categorise non-conformances and non-compliances raised in SMETA audits. Each Issue Title includes a fixed criticality level, a recommended remediation deadline and a verification method (the latter two may be amended during the closing meeting). 

Although some updates were made when SMETA 7 launched, Sedex committed to a full review at a later date to minimise disruption at the time. 

The consultation will explore challenges including: 

1. Wording accuracy – ensuring Issue Titles accurately reflect workplace requirements and identifying where additions, deletions or edits are needed. 

2. Criticality – assessing whether current criticality levels reflect risk to workers and/or the environment. 

3. Verification practicality – improving the structure and resolution process to make verification more efficient and robust. 

4. Accurate selection – determining whether restructuring the list could support more consistent and accurate Issue Title selection. 

Note: The consultation will not consider fundamental changes to the Workplace Requirements. 

How to Take Part 

The consultation will run throughout Q1 2026 and will include several opportunities for engagement: 

1. Email feedback (Q1 2026) : Please submit feedback to stakeholderfeedback@sedex.com. Members can also contact their account manager to arrange a call with the SMETA Evolution team. 

2. January 2026 webinars : All members, AACs and key stakeholders will be invited to webinars outlining the consultation scope, with opportunities for Q&A and polls. Members and AACs may nominate themselves for a series of prioritisation discussion sessions during this webinar.  

3. February–March 2026 prioritisation sessions : Smaller, focused sessions will be held across time zones to build on feedback received and agree on priorities for Sedex. A supplier only session will also be held. Numbers are limited so Sedex will select a representative group of participants if capacity is exceeded. 

Note: The UK workshop on CAR priorities took place at the UK Xchange event on 20 November. 

4. End of consultation update 
Sedex will share the agreed priorities via webinar, email and online. 

Following the consultation, Sedex will convene smaller working groups of suppliers, buyers and AACs to support delivery of the agreed improvements. Any platform changes will be planned and communicated ahead of launch. 

Consultation Timeline 

• Throughout Q1 2026: Submit feedback via email or through your account manager. 
• 27 January 2026: Webinars introducing the consultation and providing Q&A opportunities. 
• February 2026: Smaller global webinars to prioritise solutions. 
• End of March / Early April 2026: Update on consultation outcomes and Sedex’s 2026 priority actions. 

Sedex will continue to update customers and AACs throughout the year. Any agreed platform changes will be scheduled for development and communicated in advance.