SA8000:2026 is Now Available 

We’re pleased to announce that the new SA8000® Standard for Decent Work – SA8000:2026 – is now available. SAI has been undertaking a full revision of the SA8000 Standard to ensure that it continues to serve as a leading benchmark for ethical workplaces at all levels of the value chain, reflecting evolving human rights risks and good practices. As of January 1, 2026, the new version of the Standard is available on SAI’s website.  

Structured around aspirational human rights principles, SA8000:2026 provides a practical implementation framework, applying a management-systems approach to social performance, grounded in leadership commitment, and the involvement of workers and stakeholders. Aligning with emerging due diligence regulations around the world, it emphasizes continual improvement and adaptability to new and varied labor risks. Read more about the new version of the Standard and accompanying Indicator Library. 

New Training Course: SA8000:2026 Upgrade Training

This online, on-demand course focuses on the changes from SA8000:2014 to SA8000:2026 to ensure that auditors and other stakeholders who were trained on the previous version of the Standard remain up to date with new requirements, terminology, and human rights due diligence principles. 

Please note: Anyone who completed SA8000 Basic Auditor training on the 2014 version of the Standard must complete this course to keep their certificate valid. As of January 1, 2026, this course is available in English. Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Italian, and Portuguese versions of the course will be available soon – please check our website for updates as they become available. 

New Training Course: Getting Started with SA8000:2026 and Due Diligence (+ Guided Self-Assessment)

This on-demand training provides an introduction to Human Rights Due Diligence, the SA8000:2026 Standard and Certification Program. This interactive course is designed to help companies understand SA8000:2026 Principles and prepare for SA8000 audits—including a guided self-assessment against the Standard's requirements. 

Panel Discussion: Toward Fair and Decent Labor Migration - Credible Due Diligence of Labor Recruitment

Join us on February 9 at the 2026 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector in a virtual side session!  

Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers power the global garment and footwear industries, but companies often have little insight into the organizations that facilitate their recruitment. Over the past 10 years, IOM, SAI, and a coalition of other partners have piloted and launched IRIS: the International Recruitment Integrity System in response to this gap.   



Hear from panelists as they discuss the challenges to ethical recruitment in our current context, successes and learnings from the IRIS program, and the outlook for ensuring ethical recruitment.