Audit

In various circumstances, auditors may find it necessary to document specific information during audits with a video or voice recording, which can subsequently be incorporated into the audit report.

While it is understandable that businesses are highly occupied and face various challenges during this time, it is essential for audits to be conducted when the site is at its peak production.

The completion of corrective actions following an audit holds immense importance as it serves as evidence that the site is actively implementing improvements.

SIZA strives to ensure continuous improvement within agri-businesses, allowing for economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship throughout the supply chain.

It is important to note that when an audit is scheduled, it cannot be done through coercion or colluding between parties to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome that is unethical. This includes the business requesting a specific auditor, or an auditor auditing a business where they might have a personal connection.

Each audit’s cost will depend on a variety of factors, including the number of employees, the number of farms/facilities, and where the site is located.

Audits must take place during peak production periods as this is a minimum requirement to ensure markets accept the audit report’s validity.

Although SIZA focuses on avoiding duplication in audits for South African producers, producers still require three pillars for sustainability audits which includes: social, environmental, and a food safety audit.

Audit firms must ensure that the schedulers have good communication with producers to ensure they understand that a minimum of 66% of the total workforce must be present, including temporary employees and Temporary Employment Services (where applicable).

A total of 438 Social audits have been conducted during the period of 1 January 2021 to 31 July 2021. A total of 15 Environmental audits have been conducted between 1 January 2021 and 31 July 2021.