Legislation

During a SIZA audit, when a SIZA auditor makes a finding, the auditor must allocate a risk rating to each finding. The risk rating of the finding will be based on the root cause of the problem and certain risk factors observed on the day.

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).

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.

It’s crucial to ensure your contact information on the SIZA platform is accurate and current to keep you fully informed and updated on important developments. Audits are costly and have become increasingly important over the last few years. Therefore, it is important to gain as much knowledge about this expense in your business as possible because, without proof of compliance, you cannot access a variety of markets to sell your products. Having the right contacts listed allows us to deliver timely, relevant communication to the right person in your business.

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?

When it comes to understanding or preparing for an environmental audit, it can be a daunting task to think about all the different types of laws and requirements.

Producers can freely access all the relevant legislation promulgated by government, along with the applicable international legislation that applies to their compliance, on the SIZA website.

Both the SIZA Social and Environmental Standards were developed in line with local legislation, however seeing that the SIZA primary members (South African suppliers) do business across country borders, the standards are measured against global requirements such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) principles, European Union Green Deal, etc.

The Minister of Employment and Labour has published the new Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace in terms of the Employment Equity Act (EEA).