Social compliance consulting.
From records to working conditions.
We clarify your customer’s requirements, then review working conditions, site practices and records together. We help your teams track improvements with clear owners and deadlines.
For manufacturers supplying international brands, preparing for social compliance assessments or turning audit findings into an improvement plan.
Different programmes need different preparation
amfori BSCI
We assess general readiness for social performance and improvement requirements. Audit requests and responsibility arrangements are clarified with the amfori member customer; official audits are carried out by authorised audit partners.
Sedex and SMETA
Sedex membership and a SMETA audit are different; neither is a certification. Our general social compliance preparation focuses on consistency between records and practice. SMETA audits must use Sedex’s authorised audit companies.
Brand and customer requirements
We consider Inditex, WRAP, ILS and other customer requests within their respective programme conditions. The sites, production activities and subcontractors in scope are identified at the outset.
GRS and material traceability
GRS extends beyond social compliance to verification of recycled inputs and their chain of custody. For relevant products, input, production and shipment record preparation is addressed as a distinct workstream.
How we work together
We agree scope, responsibilities and deliverables at the outset. Progress is reviewed against completed work and outstanding needs.
Prepare for the first conversationClarify the customer request
We review the requested programme, site scope, existing assessments and customer schedule. We identify the parties responsible for official applications and audits.
A map of requirements and responsibilitiesReview records alongside practice
We assess areas such as working hours, wage records, recruitment, worker feedback channels and occupational health and safety practices. Access and confidentiality needs are agreed before work begins.
Prioritised gaps and an improvement planMake improvements sustainable
Every finding is linked to an owner, date and verifiable completion evidence. We define the records needed to show whether the improved practice continues after closure.
Corrective action and evidence tracking
Illustrative assignment
Inconsistent working hour records
In this illustrative preparation, discrepancies between record sources prompt a review of their cause and the actual working arrangements.
- Review attendance, shift and related payroll records for consistency.
- Identify the cause of gaps in records or practice and assign corrective actions.
- Check improvements against subsequent records; never fabricate historical records for an audit.
Where should we start?
These topics help us understand your requirements. We can identify any missing records during the initial assessment.
- The programme or assessment requested by your customer
- Sites, shift patterns and production scope
- Previous audit reports and open actions, if available
- HR, health and safety, purchasing and operations contacts
Common questions
Is Sedex membership or a SMETA audit a certification?
No. Sedex explicitly states that it is not a certification scheme. SMETA does not provide an overall pass/fail certificate. Customers consider reports and improvement findings within their own assessment processes.
Does SEZHEL perform the official social compliance audit?
No. We support general social compliance, record management and improvement readiness. SMETA audits are performed by Sedex’s authorised audit companies; other assessments follow the relevant programme’s accepted providers. We do not claim Sedex or amfori membership, partnership or endorsement.
Will one audit report satisfy every customer?
That should not be assumed. Customers may differ in accepted programmes, site scope, report age and additional requirements. Their expectations should be confirmed before planning preparation and audits.
When should preparation begin?
Assessing the current situation when a customer request arrives is a useful starting point. Some gaps concern documentation; others require changes to working practices and evidence over time. We therefore do not promise a fixed duration or audit outcome before reviewing the scope.
Give every improvement a responsible owner.
Explore SEZHEL Flow for actions, deadlines and approval steps shared across HR, purchasing and operations teams.
SEZHEL FlowProgramme names explain requirements and do not imply membership, representation or endorsement. Our scope is preparation and improvement; official audit and customer acceptance decisions remain with the relevant parties.