AUDIT REQUIREMENTS

As part of the SIZA terms and conditions, members are expected to ensure compliance with the programme requirements throughout each year. To become compliant with the SIZA programme you will have to complete 6 steps:

  1. Register on the MySIZA Platform and pay your membership fee.
  2. Complete your SAQ and ensure that it is reviewed and approved in the allocated 90-day period from registration and annually within 90 days of membership renewal.
  3. Request an audit.
  4. After the audit, complete your corrective actions which need to be approved by the auditor.
  5. Your Audit Completion Letter will be available on MySIZA.
  6. Ensure that you are linked to your buyers.

It is important to note that you cannot claim that you are a compliant member of the SIZA programme until you complete the entire audit process.

When must a site have its first SIZA audit after registration? 

It is strongly advised that a new member has a full third-party audit conducted within one year from registration. This gives the member adequate time to prepare and to get ready to be audited. During this period, SIZA will have provided the member with enough guidance and benchmarking assistance to have an audit conducted.

The site then falls into the SIZA Audit Frequency cycle according to the SIZA Audit Frequency Matrix. Although there is no prejudice to businesses who do not audit within one year from registration, it is highly advisable and should be market-driven.  

Can I choose any audit firm to do a social (ethical) audit? 

Due to global market requirements, all audit firms and auditors will need to be registered with the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA). The auditor and audit firm’s registration number must be visible on all Audit Reports. Audit firms, as well as auditors have to comply with the SIZA competency requirements before they will be recognised to audit on behalf of the SIZA programme. 

The companies to choose from are the following:

  • BSI Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Control Union South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Intertek Services (Pty) Ltd
  • NSF Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • Partner Africa
  • SGS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  • ELEVATE

Can a supplier choose the auditor?

To maintain independence and credibility of the audit process, it is not possible for suppliers to choose an auditor. Additionally, an auditor may only audit a specific site twice before they will have to be rotated.

As from the 1st of October 2016, only ethical audits done by Tesco approved audit firms will be accepted. Tesco approved audit companies from January 2024.

When must the next SIZA audit be undergone?

The next audit will be based on the SIZA Audit Frequency Matrix and depends on the number of non-compliances and the level of the risk rating of each non-compliance. Each non-compliance needs to be completed by submitting corrective actions within the specific timeframe and as agreed upon in the Corrective Action Plan Report. Late submissions of corrective actions will also influence audit risk ratings. The auditor will then review the corrective action and if deemed sufficient, the non-compliance will be closed. After the closing of all non-compliances, the Audit Completion Letter will automatically be generated by MySIZA, which will indicate the next audit date. It is extremely important that you review your SIZA status as part of your preparation for the coming season and to check with your buyer to see if your compliance status is still valid and accepted by them. Although SIZA makes every attempt possible to get acceptance and buy-in from retailers, SIZA cannot override the audit requirement periods of the buyers. 

For more information on the full audit process and scope, click here to view the SIZA Audit Process and Methodology

Complaints procedure

Whenever a complaint is raised, SIZA follows an independent and objective process to ensure that the outcome, which can result in action, is fair and objective.  The following procedure will be followed once the complaint is received:

  • A complaint is raised via the SIZA toll-free hotline, email, or referral and received by the SIZA office.
  • If the complainant is not a SIZA member or the complaint has no bearing towards the SIZA code, it is referred to a relevant organization who can follow up further.
  • If the complaint falls in the SIZA mandate, an independent and objective investigation will be launched, which includes a couple of actions. 
  • Based on the outcome of the independent report received, SIZA management will decide on appropriate action and advise on a remedy solution to ensure remedial action.
  • If the situation seems critical, relevant stakeholders involved will be notified which also includes a couple of actions.
  • It is possible that the follow-up actions can include a request to do a new audit, i.e., unannounced, semi-announced, or scheduled.