„Our Customer Wants a SMETA Audit.“ – An Experience Report

Step 1: Become a Member and Register the Site 

First, I register as a supplier on Sedex and enter all the basic information. Only then can we move on to the next steps.

Step 2: SAQ – A Sober Look in the Mirror

The self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) is voluntary. Completing it helps us understand where we stand and makes audit planning significantly easier.

Step 3: Request an Offer

Next, we contact DQS, a Sedex Approved Audit Company (AAC). Duration and scope mainly depend on the number of employees and whether it's a Two-Pillar (labor standards, environment [shortened], H&S) or Four-Pillar audit (plus environment [detailed], business ethics).

Step 4: Plan – Coordinate Date & Audit Plan

We manage to schedule the SMETA audit on short notice. Shortly afterward, an auditor from DQS reaches out. We discuss the process, access to areas, and the presence of key persons. Depending on requirements, an audit may be announced, semi-announced, or unannounced. Each format has its logic – the procedure remains the same.

Step 5: Audit Day – On Site, in the Thick of It

On audit day, operations continue as usual. We start with an opening meeting. Then visit the departments, conduct interviews with the works council, employees, and management, review documents, and finish with a closing meeting.

What I paid particular attention to:

● Access: Ensure all areas, documents, and contacts are accessible.

● Data protection: Access to personnel files is granted only with consent; the report contains no personal data.

● Integrity: Stay polite, but no gifts, no favors – a clear line.

Step 6: Report & Corrective Actions

The results are documented in an objective manner. Where deviations exist, comprehensible corrective actions are needed – and evidence of their effectiveness. Sometimes a document follow-up is enough, other times a revisit may be needed. In our case, only two documents had to be submitted afterward.

Step 7: Share with Our Customer

Once the report is finalized, we upload it to the Sedex platform and decide who gets access. Our main customer is promptly informed of the results as requested. The ability to reuse results is convenient, saving everyone involved additional time and costs if other customers also request a SMETA audit.

How It Felt

I was nervous just before the employee interviews – and relieved afterward. Reviewing the audit report showed me: open dialogue and transparent documentation provide a clear picture of site conditions. The fact that SMETA doesn’t use a “pass/fail” label sharpens the focus on what matters and ensures a nuanced assessment.