The SIZA Standards are developed to encompass various South African laws, which cover topics like worker health and safety, environmental protection, and general labour and environmental management. Key legislation incorporated into the SIZA standards includes the National Environmental Management Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and the Constitution of South Africa. Whilst all these laws are unique in its aim and although it might not always be easy to navigate through them all, it is important to understand why various laws are integrated into the SIZA Standard.
The requirements of the SIZA Standards are to ensure that businesses’ risks are adequately managed, not only to meet the law, but to ensure the business can operate and trade with no or fewer labour or environmental risks. It is therefore important to understand that sometimes there are laws that will need to be assessed together or will have overlap, such as, for example, the Sectoral Determination for farmworkers specifically, versus the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. This can complicate interpretations and implementation. The SIZA Standards are therefore developed and include each code principle separate, to make it easier for the business to use in its policy formation and implementation.
Key legislation referenced in the SIZA Environmental Standard:
- National Environmental Management Act (NEMA)
- National Water Act (NWA)
- Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA)
- National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA)
- National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEM:BA)
- National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEM:WA)
- National Forest Act (NFA)
- National Veld and Forest Fire Act (NVFFA)
Key legislation referenced in the SIZA Social Standard:
- Constitution of South Africa (1996)
- Labour Relations Act (1995)
- Employment Equity Act (1995)
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997)
- Children’s Act (2005)
- Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993)
- National Minimum Wage Act
- Sectoral Determination 13 for the Farmworker Sector
The SIZA standard incorporates rules and guidelines derived from these laws, ensuring that agricultural operations meet local legislative requirements. By adhering to the SIZA standard, producers can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and give buyers assurance about their ethical practices and environmental stewardship.
SIZA offers various trainings on these legislative requirements, as well as the standard, for example environmental legislation training, working hours and wages etc. You can view the upcoming training on the website here and sign up for the training if you are interested: https://siza.co.za/upcoming-training/.
