Standards
Compliance Standards and Guidelines
A reference list of internationally recognised standards and guidelines used to frame social responsibility and ethical labour practice in the supply chain. The Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) recognises SA8000 as its best practice.
Overview
How these standards fit together
The portal groups widely used frameworks into one list so that supply chain practitioners can compare them quickly. Some entries are voluntary management systems, others are sector initiatives, and others are multi-stakeholder codes of conduct covering working hours, compensation, health and safety, freedom of association and child labour concerns.
Practitioners developing their own approach to Corporate Social Responsibility in the supply chain can use these standards as a benchmark when reviewing suppliers.
Recognised frameworks
Standards and guidelines listed
| Standard or initiative | Full name |
|---|---|
| SA8000 | Social Accountability Standard, recognised by BSCI as best practice |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental management systems standard |
| ISO 26000 | Guidelines for social responsibility |
| OECD Guidelines | OECD Guidelines for Multinationals |
| ETI | Ethical Trading Initiative |
| FLA | FLA Workplace Code of Conduct |
| SEDEX | Supplier Ethical Data Exchange |
| WRAP | WRAP Principles |
| OHSAS 18001 | Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series |
| UN Global Compact | UN Global Compact principles for responsible business |
Additional initiatives listed alongside these entries include the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (G3) and ICS – Initiative Clause Sociale.
Standards and guidelines help businesses turn broad social responsibility goals into practical expectations for suppliers, retailers, logistics providers, and other partners across the supply chain. They create a shared reference point for questions about working conditions, transparency, and responsible business conduct. Because modern supply chains often cross borders and involve many companies, consistent frameworks can support better oversight from sourcing through shipping, distribution, and delivery to local stores and end customers.
The page presents a reference list of internationally recognised standards and guidelines used to frame social responsibility and ethical labour practice. It highlights the Business Social Compliance Initiative and its recognition of SA8000 as best practice, while also drawing on material associated with supply chain ethics and social compliance. Such references give practitioners a way to identify established approaches and compare widely used frameworks without starting from scratch for every business relationship or project.
Different standards serve different purposes. Some are voluntary management systems that guide organisations in reviewing policies, improving processes, and measuring performance over time. Others are more closely connected with regulatory compliance or sector-specific requirements. A unified list helps readers understand how these instruments relate, making it easier for companies, service providers, and supply chain teams to select guidance that matches their size, markets, products, and operational needs while keeping consistency across regions.
Standards are most useful when they are connected to everyday business activity. Procurement teams can use them when evaluating suppliers; quality teams can reflect them in audits and vendor checks; operations teams can apply them to freight, container loading, air transport, and shipping partners. Companies with retail networks, distribution centres, and international supply relationships can translate shared expectations into training, documentation, and monitoring. This creates clearer communication with workers, customers, communities, and other stakeholders.
Adopting recognised frameworks can strengthen responsible supply chain management, but implementation depends on thoughtful assessment and ongoing attention rather than simple adoption alone. Effective programmes help ensure that standards reach suppliers and service providers throughout the chain, including small businesses and local partners. By maintaining clear documentation, reviewing performance, and responding to concerns, companies can build more reliable relationships and demonstrate that care for people, communities, and the environment is supported by practical systems rather than isolated promises.
Related topics
Where these standards apply
Each framework addresses part of the compliance picture that the portal covers through its key topics, including child labour/forced or bonded labour, compensation, corruption/bribery, discrimination, environment and climate, freedom of association and collective bargaining agreements, and health and safety.