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SA8000:226 Latest News! Time limit for certification program conversion
Time：
2025-06-16
The final version of SA8000: 2026 is scheduled to be officially released by the end of 2025. Please pay attention to the detailed transition process guidelines and expected time frame for the transition.
According to the latest updates on the official website of SAI (Social Responsibility International), SA8000 ® The Standards Committee plans to officially release the final version of the SA8000: 2026 Decent Work Standard by the end of 2025, which will cover a full set of supporting documents, policies, and operational guidelines.
With the launch of SA8000:226, the current SA8000:2014 standard will be fully replaced, SA8000 ® The certification process will also be upgraded to the new standard synchronously. According to the conversion period flowchart released by the accreditation committee, the expected time limit for conversion and the deadline that new certification or renewal organizations need to focus on from 2022 to 2026 have been carefully sorted out.
Note: SAI has published detailed guidelines for the conversion process in the SAAS file library. If there are any doubts, please refer to the English version.
1. Overall conversion deadline
Starting from January 1, 2026, accredited certification bodies will have the right to begin providing audits and certifications for SA8000:226 standards (once the certification body proves compliance with certification transfer requirements).
After July 1, 2026, all accredited certification bodies are required to begin providing SA8000:226 standard audits and certifications to maintain certification accreditation.
On December 31, 2026, certification bodies may continue to provide SA8000:2014 standard audits and certifications (including certificate renewals).
All organizations certified under the SA8000: 2014 standard should complete SA8000: 226 standard training and self-assessment by December 31, 2026, as the first step towards transitioning to the new standard.
Starting from January 1, 2027, all new certification and renewal organizations shall comply with the SA8000:226 standard.
Starting from December 31, 2028, all organizations must be certified according to the SA8000:226 standard in order to maintain certification.
SA8000 system certification
2. Regarding SA 8000 ® self-assessment
Starting from January 1, 2026, SAI will gradually require all new certification and renewal organizations to use SA 8000:2026 self-assessment and training. This includes organizations that choose to undergo SA 8000:2014 certification or renewal in 2026, which should participate in SA 8000:226 self-assessment and training, but will undergo SA 8000:2014 audits.
Organizations certified or renewed in 2025 are required to complete SA 8000:2026 self-assessment and training by December 31, 2026. This helps ensure that all certification organizations are familiar with the updated requirements, but does not affect their renewal deadlines.
3. Time limit for transferring specific certification organization groups
(1) Organizations certified or renewed in 2022
(Renewal in 2025)
Organizations that obtain or renew their SA 8000:2014 certification in 2022 must obtain SA 8000:2014 certification again in 2025 in order to maintain their certification.
In addition, these organizations must complete SA 8000:2026 self-assessment and training by December 31, 2026. If these organizations choose to maintain certification, they must renew the SA 8000:2026 standard before December 31, 2028.
SA8000 system certification
(2) Organizations certified or re certified in 2023
(Renewal in 2026)
Organizations that have passed SA8000:2014 certification or re certification in 2023 will be re certified in 2026. These organizations can choose to re certify to SA8000:2014 or SA8000:226 standards.
Organizations that choose to renew their SA8000: 2014 certification must renew their SA8000: 2026 certification before December 31, 2028, in order to maintain their certification.
SA8000 system certification
(3) Organizations certified or renewed in 2024
(Renewal in 2027)
Organizations that have passed SA8000:2014 certification or renewal in 2024 and renewed their certification before January 1, 2027, can choose to renew their certification in 2026 according to SA8000:2014 or SA8000:226 standards. Organizations that choose to renew their SA8000: 2014 certification must renew their SA8000: 2026 certification before December 31, 2028, in order to maintain their certification.
Organizations that are certified or re certified according to the SA8000:2014 standard in 2024 and are not eligible for re certification before January 1, 2027, must re certify to SA8000:226 during 2027 in order to maintain certification.
SA8000 system certification
(4) Organizations certified or seeking certification by 2025
Organizations that obtain or seek certification in 2025 must undergo SA8000:2014 standard certification. These organizations must complete the SA8000:2026 self-assessment and training by December 31, 2026. These organizations must complete the SA8000:2026 standard renewal before December 31, 2028, in order to maintain certification.
SA8000 system certification
(5) Organizations seeking certification in 2026
Organizations seeking certification in 2026 can choose to obtain SA8000:2014 or SA8000:226 standard certification. Organizations that choose to obtain SA8000:2014 certification must obtain SA8000:226 certification in advance before December 31, 2028, in order to maintain certification.
Image source: SAI official website
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