Ensuring Audit Compliance Through Biodiversity and Ecosystem Monitoring
Continually monitoring a representative species or habitat justified in environmental terms is essential to the SIZA Environmental audit with the LEAF Bolt-On. Monitoring a representative species serves as a key indicator of on-farm biodiversity and an indicator of the effectiveness of Integrated Farm Management (IFM) practices that conserve and enhance biodiversity over time. By measuring…
Choosing the Right Carbon Footprint Advisor: Essential Pre-Appointment Checks
As sustainability becomes increasingly important in global trade, businesses are under growing pressure to measure and manage their environmental impact. Understanding their carbon footprint for agricultural suppliers is no longer just a regulatory checkbox — it’s a competitive advantage. Accurate carbon footprinting helps ensure compliance with global requirements and opens doors to improved efficiency, cost…
SIZA Introduces QR Code Security Feature for Audit Completion Letters
The Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) has introduced a new, enhanced security feature to strengthen the integrity and transparency of its audit process. Going forward, all Audit Completion Letters (“certificates”) will include a unique QR code that allows instant verification of their validity. When scanned, the QR code will automatically confirm whether the specific…
SIZA Auditors Training - September 2025
The SIZA Auditor Training, held on 15 and 16 September, brought together a diverse audience, both virtually and in person. Seventy auditors, schedulers, and reviewers from the seven SIZA-recognised audit firms joined from across the country for two days of learning, collaboration, calibration, and insightful discussions. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect face-to-face, exchange…
Employment Equity – What Resources are Out There?
Employment Equity (EE) is becoming an increasingly important topic for South African businesses, particularly with recent amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). While not a direct SIZA audit checklist requirement, suppliers who operate in agriculture and related sectors should be aware of the legal obligations and the practical steps needed to stay compliant. The…
Third-Party Worker Transport: Who’s Responsible?
Transporting workers is one of the highest-risk activities in agriculture, and many employers use third-party providers to move staff to and from farms or packhouses. While outsourcing transport can be practical, it is not always possible, and does not remove the producer’s responsibility to ensure that transport is safe, legal, and well-managed. The SIZA Transport Guide reminds…
Gas Bottles in Worker Accommodation – What’s Allowed?
The rules around cooking, fire safety, and legislation on farms can be complex and different for each farm. One of the main hazards often identified is the use of gas bottles by occupants in agri-worker accommodation. While gas bottles and stoves are common in daily life, their use in housing carries serious risks and strict…
Meeting Carbon Reporting Demands with SIZATrack360
Complying to carbon footprint requirements and why SIZATrack360 is an option The European Union (EU) regulatory requirements, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) mandate European companies to report all their emissions, including their scope 3 emissions (emissions associated with their value chains). This includes emissions related to the importation of food and other…
Before You Burn: Understanding Waste Burning Laws
Burning waste is often the selected method of waste disposal for farms, notably in areas that lack adequate municipal waste management service delivery and/or infrastructure. Although a common practice, suppliers should be aware of the high risks and the multi-legislative requirements that govern the burning of waste and differentiate this from other burning practices. Legal…
