Revision of SA8000 – Social Accountability Management System

SA8000© remains one of the world’s leading standards for social accountability, providing auditable requirements to ensure decent working conditions, respect for workers’ rights, and effective management systems that support continual improvement.

Organizations are increasingly expected to demonstrate credible and transparent performance on social and human rights issues. The revised SA8000:2026 standard responds to these expectations by strengthening governance, risk management and worker involvement across operations and supply chain.

Update of SA8000:2014

The 2026 revision further enhances the systemic and risk-based approach of the SA8000 standard, reflecting developments in ESG, human rights due diligence and international sustainability frameworks.
Key enhancements include:

• Stronger integration of risk-based thinking in managing social performance
• Enhanced worker engagement and participation mechanisms
• More effective and accessible grievance mechanism in the management system
• Increased focus on supply chain oversight and accountability
• Closer alignment with international sustainability frameworks and best practices

These updates make SA8000:2026 a more robust and practical tool especially for organizations operating in complex and transparent global value chains.

Transition rules and timelines

Organizations currently certified against SA8000:2014 Standard will be required to transition their management systems to align with the requirements of the new SA8000:2026 edition.

Certified organizations may only transition to SA8000:2026 during a recertification audit. Organizations cannot transition during a surveillance audit.
The transition process will be conducted in accordance with the timelines and provisions defined by SAI and SAAS - Social Accountability Accreditation Services. This largely means:

• January 1, 2026 – Publication of SA8000:2026
• June 1 - October 31, 2026 - SA8000:2026 audits and certification become available on a staggered basis.
• November 1, 2026 - SA8000:2026 audits and certification will be available. SA8000:2014 audits and certification will remain available until year end.
• December 31, 2026 – Completion of SA8000:2026 upgrade training and self-assessment for all organizations certified to SA8000:2014
• January 1, 2027 – All new certifications and recertifications to SA8000:2026
• May 31, 2029 – All certified organizations must be certified to SA8000:2026

Specific transition requirements apply depending on the year of certification or recertification, as defined by SAI and SAAS.  Please see table at the bottom of this page.

How we can support

Once you have begun the transition to the new version of the SA8000, DNV can support you throughout this process.

We will be able to assist you with transition audits to bring your certification into line with the new version of the standard and support you at every stage of the process:

• Providing training on the updated requirements
• Helping you assess your current level of readiness
• Supporting the transition and planning of certification activities

Details on the transition timeline for specific groups of certified companies

Further information is available in the SA8000® Certification Program Timeline available on the Social Accountability International website at the following link: SA8000® Certification Program Timeline - SAI