April 2026 Newsletter

Who are " Legally Working Children"?

SAI is working to reflect real-world conditions while protecting children's rights through our updated SA8000 Standard®. One key change is the introduction of "legally working children," recognizing that not all work done by children is harmful. When work is safe, age-appropriate, and does not interfere with education, it can support children's development. At the same time, SAI maintains a clear stance against child labor that harms the health, dignity, or education of children. By making this distinction, SAI aims to combine flexibility with strong human rights protection.

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SA8000:2026 Standard New Translations

The SA8000 Standard has now been expanded by adding translations in multiple languages, including French, German, and Turkish, making it more accessible and easier to implement across regions.

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Updated Certification Transition Timeline

SA8000 has published an updated certification transition timeline, outlining key milestones for organizations moving to the SA8000:2026 Standard. All currently certified organizations are required to complete mandatory training and a self-assessment by December 31, 2026, ensuring they understand and are prepared to meet the updated requirements.

Beginning January 1, 2027, all certification, surveillance, and recertification audits must be conducted against the SA8000:2026 Standard. This marks the full transition to the revised framework, reinforcing stronger alignment with human rights due diligence and continuous improvement in social performance. Organizations are encouraged to review the timeline and begin preparations early to ensure a smooth and timely transition.

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Anker Research Institute

The Anker Research Institute is pleased to present a Living Wage Report for the Cape Winelands Region of South Africa for the year 2025. This report utilizes the Anker Methodology, which incorporates data on local food prices and housing costs to determine the necessary income for a decent standard of living in the Cape Winelands.

View report here

SAI is the institutional host for the Anker Research Institute

Trainings

Introduction to Living Wages Online Training + Applied Learning Session

This online, on-demand training introduces key concepts of living wages and their importance for responsible business conduct. It can now be paired with a live, virtual Q&A session with SAI and Anker Research Institute experts to discuss a company’s due diligence approach related to living wages.

Working together, we will assess company needs and practical next steps to put knowledge into practice. The training and applied learning sessions are available in English and Spanish.

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SA8000:2026 Auditor Upgrade Training Requirement

This online, on-demand training is now available to SA8000 training certificate holders to ensure you stay current with updated requirements, terminology, and human rights due diligence principles.

This training course will focus on changes from SA8000:2014 to SA8000:2026

Now available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Italian, and European Portuguese.

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