Verify labor, safety, and ethical standards across your site and supply chain — with a single audit recognized by buyers and brands worldwide.DQS conducts Sedex SMETA audits worldwide as a Sedex-approved audit company and APSCA member, with sector-experienced auditors who understand the realities of complex, multi-site supply chains.
Recognized across global supply chains.
Auditors close to your sites in 60 countries.
Audits buyers and brands recognize.
On-site exchange that respects your team.
A Sedex SMETA audit gives global buyers, brands, and other stakeholders a , recognized view of how a site operates across labor standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. For organizations under growing scrutiny from supply chain due diligence laws and customer codes of conduct, an SMETA audit report can be widely accepted by many buyers and brands, helping to reduce audit duplication., smooth supplier onboarding, and demonstrate that ethical operations are part of how the business is run.
The value of the audit extends beyond external proof of conformity. Many organizations use recurring audits and assessment processes as a framework for continuous improvement, operational transparency, and stronger cross-functional alignment. In practice, organizations often report effects such as:
Save time and internal effort with a clearly structured audit process. Request your personal quote for your Sedex SMETA audit now.
A Sedex SMETA audit fits organizations whose customers, regulators, or stakeholders expect verifiable ethical practices in their operations and supply chain.
A clear process means fewer questions and faster results. These are the stages of your Sedex SMETA audit with DQS — transparent from start to finish.
Once a site is ready for a social audit, we discuss your operations, your buyer requirements, and the scope of the audit (2-pillar or 4-pillar). Based on this, you receive a tailored quote covering audit days, auditor profile, and timeline. For organizations with multiple sites, project planning helps coordinate timelines and audit execution across locations.
You register your site on the Sedex platform and complete the Sedex Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Before the on-site audit, the audit type (announced, semi-announced, or unannounced) needs to be determined in accordance with your customer requirements and audit planning arrangements — such as audit window. Your DQS lead auditor reviews documentation, , and shares the agenda with your team.
During the on-site audit, DQS auditors review policies, procedures, and records covering labor standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. The audit includes confidential worker interviews, management interviews, and a site tour. Under the SMETA 7.0 auditors assess both workplace conditions and the effectiveness of management systems through the Management Systems Assessment (MSA).
After the closing meeting, DQS issues your SMETA audit report and CAPR on the Sedex platform, where you decide which buyers can access them. Findings are categorized clearly — including the “Collaborative Action Required” (CAR) category introduced with SMETA 7.0 for issues that cannot be fully addressed by the site alone and require collaboration with another party.
A SMETA report is published with a recommended validity of 24 months which is the timeframe during which the information is considered up-to-date by Sedex. To keep buyer trust intact, most organizations plan their next audit well before the report ages out — DQS helps align timing with your supplier review cycles.
Once these are in place, the site is ready to contact DQS for a Sedex SMETA audit.
Combine your Sedex SMETA audit with existing certifications — such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or ISO 45001 — to simplify scheduling and give your teams a single, coordinated audit experience with DQS.
Most Sedex SMETA audits take between two and five auditor person-days on-site, depending on whether you opt for a 2-pillar or 4-pillar scope, the number of workers, and the complexity of the site. Preparation and reporting add several working days around the on-site portion. For a more detailed view tailored to your operations, see our Sedex SMETA Knowledge Center page.
A SMETA audit report is published on the Sedex platform with a recommended validity of 24 12 months from the audit date, which is the timeframe during which the information is considered up-to-date by Sedex - although audit frequency is ultimately determined by customer requirements and risk considerations.
The cost of a Sedex SMETA audit depends on the scope (2-pillar or 4-pillar), the number of workers, the site size, and the audit days required. Because every site is different, every quote is calculated individually. Request a quote to receive a price tailored to your site and buyer requirements.
The main effort lies in completing the Sedex Self-Assessment Questionnaire, preparing documentation across the audit pillars, and supporting the auditor on-site through worker interviews, document review, and the site walk. Once these are in place, the on-site portion typically runs from one to a few days.
