Ethical Audits

South Africa has several laws regarding asbestos, specifically on managing it when it is present on a site. The regulations give employers a clear duty to identify asbestos in place and manage it properly. This duty is also extended to employees to take care of their health and safety and also look after others who may be affected. The Asbestos Abatement Regulations, as promulgated in November 2020, set out the requirements for the disposal of asbestos under Section 21.

The legal right to work needs to be clarified for producers and auditors, particularly when employing foreign nationals. Before being employed by a South African business, all foreign workers in South Africa must possess a valid passport or ID and the necessary work permits. Employing foreign nationals without a valid work permit and passport is illegal under the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 (as amended).

When infrastructure allows, employers should provide electricity at agri-worker accommodation where housing deductions are made. If 10% of the farm employee’s wages are deducted for accommodation, additional electricity charges can only be made if an adequate prepaid meter is installed. This allows the occupant’s usage to be measured, with the cost deducted accordingly—only if both parties agree in writing beforehand.

Effective soil management is essential for boosting farming productivity, supporting crop health, enhancing water retention, and maintaining ecosystem balance. Within the SIZA Environmental Standard, soil management is key in ensuring farm sustainability and audit compliance. While soil enhancement practices can be adapted based on specific conditions, common techniques such as soil health assessments, erosion control, nutrient management, and minimising compaction are widely used to promote soil health and prevent degradation.

In today’s compliance-driven marketplace, having real-time visibility into suppliers’ compliance information is essential for buyers aiming to mitigate risks and ensure adherence to Social and Environmental standards. The MySIZA platform stands out as a cutting-edge, globally competitive solution for the South African agricultural industry. 

From producers and agri-workers on the farm to global buyers and beyond, every stakeholder’s voice is more important than ever in today’s diverse and complex agricultural landscape. The ability to raise concerns and ensure they are addressed effectively is crucial for fostering transparency and sustainability. SIZA is committed to ensuring these voices are heard and addressed through a comprehensive and holistic approach to grievance management. Read more to find out: How Does the SIZA Voice for All Programme Work?

The SANS 10400 regulation regarding firefighting equipment requires that a number of fire extinguishers are needed depending on the occupancy classification as per the table set out in the National Building Regulation.

As 2020 brought about many challenges, one of the many aspects of SIZA that remained constant was our dedication to ensure quality and credible third-party audits.

SIZA social site visits were implemented as part of SIZA’s between-audit monitoring policy to verify the producer’s approved Social Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and to ensure practices remain in place between audit validity periods.

A total of 560 Social (Ethical) audits have been conducted for the period 1 January to 31 October 2020. This results in a median of 56 social audits per month. For the same period, three Environmental third-party standalone audits have taken place, and a further 13 Environmental audits are scheduled to take place in future.