SIZA

An effective environmental management system is the foundation for complying with the SIZA Environmental Standard. This standard is built on four pillars—soil, water, biodiversity and energy, materials and waste —all of which are addressed holistically across your business or farming enterprise through risk identification, prevention and mitigation measures, and legal compliance A common misconception is… Continue reading Why Full-Scope Audits Matter

Completing a SIZA audit is more than just ticking a box — it’s a way of doing business and a visible commitment to sustainable and responsible practices. For many farms and packhouses, this achievement reflects the collective effort of an entire team dedicated to ethical labour practices and environmental stewardship. Naturally, some businesses wish to… Continue reading Proud to have a SIZA Audit completion Letter:  Guideline for Using the SIZA Logo Responsibly

The Importance of Formally Cancelling Your SIZA Profile Since SIZA incurs ongoing costs for data storage and third-party licensing—including a profile-based fee to its platform host, Salesforce—it cannot indefinitely retain expired or inactive accounts. By officially cancelling your account, you help maintain transparency, avoid unnecessary charges, and protect your professional standing. Taking this step also… Continue reading Ending Your SIZA Subscription? Here’s What You Need to Know

Navigating compliance and sustainability tools can be confusing, but knowing their purpose is vital. While SIZA focuses on ethical and environmental compliance verified through audits, Sherpa serves as a strategic tool for tracking and improving sustainability. By leveraging both, producers can meet compliance demands and enhance long-term sustainability. Explore their key differences and how they complement each other.

Compliance is no longer just about meeting legal requirements; it’s a foundation for identifying risks and ensuring sustainability in the modern supply chain. As consumers and retailers demand greater transparency and ethical practices, compliance has become an essential tool for building trust and managing risks. Learn how SIZA and South African agriculture are aligning with global standards to balance effective compliance with continuous improvement.

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.

Alien plant species are introduced, intentionally or unintentionally, to an area where they do not naturally occur. Once these species begin to spread and establish themselves beyond their initial point of introduction, they are classified as invasive alien plant (IAP) species.