Sedex / SMETA
Ethical trade audit standard for social compliance
Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is one of the world's leading ethical trade membership organizations, with over 80,000 members across 180+ countries. SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is the audit methodology Sedex members use to assess their suppliers' working conditions.
SMETA covers four pillars:
- Labor Standards (forced labor, child labor, working hours, wages, freedom of association).
- Health and Safety (workplace conditions, equipment, training, accommodation).
- Environment (waste, water, energy, emissions).
- Business Ethics (anti-corruption, business integrity).
SMETA audits result in non-conformance reports against SMETA Best Practice Guidance. Critical or major non-conformances can prevent suppliers from continuing in retailer supply chains.
For Egyptian food and agricultural suppliers serving EU/UK retailers (Tesco, Sainsbury's, ALDI, LIDL, Morrisons, Waitrose, M&S), Sedex membership and a recent SMETA audit are typically required before supplier approval.
Common findings in Egyptian agricultural facility SMETA audits:
- Excessive working hours during peak season.
- Workers without written employment contracts (informal labor).
- Insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Substandard accommodation for migrant or seasonal labor.
- Wage records gaps.
FoodGate Audit conducts SMETA pre-audits and gap analyses to prepare Egyptian facilities for formal SMETA certification by approved audit bodies.