Audits

A strong employment relationship starts long before the first day of work. It begins with the contract. Employment contracts are more than administrative documents, they are foundational compliance tools.  During social audits, employment contracts are among the first documents reviewed, as they provide evidence of legal compliance, clarity of employment terms, and alignment with labour… Continue reading How to review Employment Contracts

A third-party audit remains a cornerstone of the SIZA Audit process. It provides a credible, objective picture of a supplier’s on-site practices to stakeholders in South Africa and buyers across global markets. In an increasingly transparent, due diligence-driven world, an audit measures compliance and helps to shape perceptions and convey a picture of the grassroots… Continue reading The Role Auditors Can Play to Strengthen Compliance, Transparency and Trust

In any credible compliance programme, the integrity of the third-party audit process is paramount. The primary objective of an audit is to provide an independent, objective, and standardised evaluation of a supplier’s practices. For this reason, it is essential that the audit process remain free from undue influence and be conducted in accordance with fair… Continue reading Protecting the Integrity of the Compliance Process:  Auditors vs Consultants

Audits are often perceived as compliance exercises that take up a lot of time, but they are a necessary part of the value chain to satisfy buying customers. It is, however, important to remember that audits can become a powerful management tool that drives continuous improvement. From a SIZA perspective, the value of an audit… Continue reading How can Auditors Contribute so that audits become a management tool to drive continuous improvement?

Over time, SIZA has continued to refine how risk is identified, monitored, and managed across the audit process. Following enhancements to the MySIZA platform in 2025, the SIZA technical team identified an opportunity to develop bespoke risk reports and dashboards tailored to the Audit Manager of each individual audit firm. These dashboards draw on existing… Continue reading Strengthening Oversight: New Dashboards and Risk Reporting for Audit Managers

The primary role of a SIZA auditor is to assess compliance with the SIZA Standard Requirements and Audit Checklist. On the audit day, this includes identifying non-conformances and highlighting potential risks to enable remediation and drive continuous improvement in agriculture. However, a truly effective audit goes beyond identifying gaps. It also recognises what is working… Continue reading The Strategic Value of Reporting & Celebrating Best Practices

As global supply chains place increasing emphasis on ethical and sustainable practices, buyers are expecting suppliers to demonstrate strong audit readiness. Being well prepared for social and environmental audits is no longer something to leave to the last minute – it is a critical part of business planning that builds buyer confidence and protects market… Continue reading Plan Ahead for Audit Success

Many SIZA subscribers are already familiar with GLOBALG.A.P. (AGRAYA) audits through IFA certification, but there’s sometimes confusion about what GLOBALG.A.P. visibility as part of a SIZA subscription is and why it’s a separate subscription option. GLOBALG.A.P. visibility is not another audit, and it isn’t a fee that SIZA profits from. Rather, it provides the option… Continue reading Understanding GLOBALG.A.P. Visibility for SIZA Subscribers

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… Continue reading Employment Equity – What Resources are Out There?

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… Continue reading SIZA Auditors Training – September 2025