Social Accountability International (SAI) has published the new version of the SA8000:2026 standard, which will progressively replace SA8000:2014. The new edition strengthens the focus on human rights, decent work, ethical conduct, transparency, and social accountability throughout an organization’s activities and relationships. The transition to SA8000:2026 must be carefully planned, taking into account both the deadlines defined by SAI/SAAS and the organization’s recertification date. The formal transition to the new edition can only take place during a recertification audit.
The revised standard places greater emphasis on ethical conduct and transparency regarding protection of human rights and workers’ rights. SA8000:2026 adopts a Human Rights Due Diligence-based approach to assess social accountability across the supply chain and to manage the actual and potential impacts.
These updates require organizations to adopt a more structured approach to managing social risks, engaging stakeholders, and continuously improving the SA8000 system.
The move to the new edition will follow a progressive phase and must be planned according to the operational availability of accredited certification bodies and the expiry date of the current certificate.
During the period 1 June – 31 October 2026, the application of SA8000:2026 will be gradual: the possibility of carrying out audits under the new standard must be verified on a case-by-case basis with the relevant certification body.
Starting from 1 November 2026, audits and certifications under SA8000:2026 will enter the standard application phase. Until 31 December 2026, however, it will still be possible to carry out audits and certifications under SA8000:2014.
The transition to the new edition can take place only during a recertification audit; surveillance audits may assess the level of readiness and progress of activities, but they do not allow the formal transition.
To manage the transition properly, organizations should check their recertification date and plan the transition path. In order to get the certification, they have to complete the SAI training and Self-Assessment within the required deadlines and carry out a gap analysis against the SA8000:2026 requirements, assess the impacts of the new version on the SA8000 management system and update it in line with the new requirements.
Finally, liaise with RINA to schedule the recertification/transition audit.
RINA supports organizations in planning certification and the transition to SA8000:2026, helping manage the process and align with the required timelines in order to ensure continuity and compliance with the new requirements.
For organizations with recertification scheduled in 2026, it will be possible to assess whether to proceed under SA8000:2014 or SA8000:2026, depending on operational availability. If recertification remains under SA8000:2014, the transition must then be planned during a subsequent recertification within the final deadline.
For organizations with recertification scheduled in 2027 or 2028, renewal must be carried out under SA8000:2026.
For organizations with recertification scheduled in 2029, the transition must be completed by 31 May 2029. If the natural expiry date of the certificate falls after that date, an early recertification will need to be planned.
All SA8000-certified organizations must:
These requirements must be completed by 31 December 2026, even if recertification is scheduled in later years. If a certification or recertification audit is scheduled in 2026, the training and Self-Assessment must be completed before the audit, regardless of which edition of the standard is being audited.
No. The transition is only possible during a recertification audit. A surveillance audit may review readiness, gap analysis, and the adjustment plan, but it does not allow the formal transition to the new edition.
The official documents and information published by SAI on the new SA8000 edition are available on the SAI website, on the page dedicated to users of the SA8000 certification system.
Yes, the new SA8000:2026 Self-Assessment replaces the SA8000:2014 Self-Assessment. However, the time validity rule still applies: for a Stage 1 or recertification audit, the Self-Assessment must have been completed or updated within the 6 months preceding the audit. If the one completed in 2026 falls outside this time window, it must be updated or repeated according to the SAI rules applicable at the time of the audit.
For Stage 1 or recertification audits scheduled before the SA8000:2026 Self-Assessment becomes available in the SAI Database, SAI has indicated that the organization must complete the SA8000:2014 Self-Assessment in the Database according to the current process. However, the obligation remains to complete the SAI package “Getting Started with SA8000:2026 and Due Diligence + Guided Self-Assessment” by 31/12/2026, correctly associated with the organization’s ORG# code. For example, if a recertification is scheduled before the 2026 Self-Assessment is available in the SAI Database, the organization must complete the 2014 Self-Assessment for the purposes of the planned audit and then also complete the 2026 pathway within the deadline set by SAI.
The SAI requirement is tracked at the level of the certified organization through the ORG# code assigned in the SAI Database. SAI requires all certified organizations to complete the training “Getting Started with SA8000:2026 and Due Diligence” and the related SA8000:2026 Self-Assessment by 31/12/2026. Based on the information currently available, SAI does not specify a minimum number of participants, nor does it require the course to be attended by all staff. However, the course is recommended for the relevant personnel involved in the SA8000 system. It is therefore advisable that at least the key figures involved in implementing and updating the system complete it, such as the SA8000 Manager, members of the Social Performance Team, Top Management, and other relevant functions.
If the recertification audit is scheduled in 2026, the organization has two options:
In both cases, if the audit is scheduled in 2026, the SAI training “Getting Started with SA8000:2026 and Due Diligence” and the SA8000:2026 Self-Assessment must be completed before the audit and correctly linked to the organization’s ORG# code in the SAI Database.
