1.  What is SMETA?

SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is one of the world’s most widely used social audit methodologies. It is not a certification per se, but rather a comprehensive auditing framework that evaluates suppliers across four key pillars: labor standards, health & safety, environmental practices, and business ethics.

Its relevance is rapidly growing among companies that seek to proactively manage supply chain risk, ensure ethical sourcing, and demonstrate transparency to clients, regulators, and investors. SMETA is particularly effective in enabling suppliers and buyers to speak a common language around ethical trade performance, and is fully aligned with international frameworks such as the ILO conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

2.  Why Become SMETA Certified?

While SMETA does not issue a formal certificate, being audited under the SMETA framework sends a strong signal of commitment to responsible business conduct.

Some of the strategic benefits include:

• Regulatory alignment with ESG frameworks and evolving compliance expectations (e.g., UFLPA, CSDDD, Canadian Modern Slavery Act).
• Brand and reputational protection, especially in industries sensitive to public
• Investor and stakeholder trust, as more financial institutions integrate social criteria into their risk
• Operational improvements, as the audit often highlights areas of inefficiency or exposure that companies can address

Clients also appreciate that SMETA is highly recognized by global buyers and that Sedex provides a central platform for sharing audit outcomes, reducing the burden of duplicated assessments.

3.  Why EUROCERT?

As an independent and internationally accredited certification body, EUROCERT brings decades of technical experience in performing social audits across diverse industries. We are proud to be a Sedex Affiliate Audit Company (AAC)—a designation that reflects our adherence to Sedex’s rigorous quality and integrity requirements.

Our growing presence in the U.S. and Canada is backed by a team of multilingual, sector- specialized auditors and coordinators. We offer deep knowledge of local labor laws, cross-border supply chain complexities, and the nuances of SMETA methodology—ensuring not only compliance, but also clarity and value for clients.

What truly sets EUROCERT apart is our human-centered, collaborative approach. We support clients not just in passing audits, but in building long-term systems for ethical business practices.

4.  Case Study: Target and Diversified

We strongly support the use of real-world examples to illustrate the risks of weak social oversight. These stories help bring to life the tangible cost of non-compliance—from reputational damage to disrupted supply chains.