TÜV America Inc., based in Danvers, Mass., has announced the addition of Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) certification services. SA8000, the international standard for improving working conditions, developed by Social Accountability International (SAI) is provided through TÜV SÜD South Asia, the Asia-Pacific affiliate of TÜV America.
"Interest in SA8000 certification continues to increase as more organizations worldwide are taking increased responsibility for the environmental and social standards of their merchandise, as well as universal standards for companies interested in auditing and certifying labor practices in their facilities and those of their suppliers and vendors," says Calin Moldovean, director, TÜV Management Service.
SA8000 is based on the principles of international human rights norms as described in International Labor Organization conventions, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It measures the performance of companies in eight key areas: child labor, forced labor, health and safety, free association and collective bargaining, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours and compensation. SA8000 also provides for a social accountability management system to demonstrate ongoing conformance with the standard.
