Let’s look at what the SIZA Standard requires
South Africa is no different as the global expectation grows to ensure ethically and environmentally sustainable value chains. In line with the value-chain due diligence requirements, all processing facilities and packhouses must comply with the businesses for which they process or pack products. The expectation is that all facilities, no matter how big or small, that supply to the packhouse must have a valid social and/or environmental audit, such as SIZA, GRASP, SMETA, SA-8000, BSCI/Amfori, WIETA, etc., to allow for transparency and credibility of the supply chain. This requirement was implemented by SIZA in 2019, phased in over three years to give sufficient time to comply, and became an audit requirement on 01 April 2023.
During SIZA audits, the auditing team will evaluate whether packhouses source sustainably and have a process in place to ensure their primary suppliers (farms they pack or process product for) are evaluated according to their social/ethical practices. The packhouse or processing facility must show proof that everyone supplying them strives towards compliance.
Please remember that if you want to supply and source sustainably, you must implement ethical and environmental practices throughout your business. The requirements are not a list that needs to be ticked or completed but rather continuing practices that need to become part of your operational activities throughout the business. If you need any clarification around this requirement, please feel free to contact the SIZA office.
