Social Accountability International (SAI) is a multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to improving workplaces and communities by developing and implementing socially responsible standards. SAI is best known for its SA8000 standard, a "comprehensive global verification standard for auditing and certifying corporate responsibility."

SAI's objective is to bring consistency to labour rights standards in various codes and in procedures for "social auditing." SA8000 standards are based on International Labour Organization and United Nations conventions and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

SAI trains and accredits social auditing firms and individual auditors, who then are hired by companies to certify that factories are in compliance with SA8000 standards. SAI-certified factories and corporations involved in SAI's Corporate Involvement Program are required to report annually on progress in complying with the SA8000 standards.

SAI has been criticized for the dominant role it gives to giant social auditing firms and the minimal role allowed for workers and Southern NGOs. It has also been criticized for its co-operation with the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), which is seen as weakening the relatively strong SA8000 standards.

For more information on SAI and the SA8000 standard, visit: www.sa-intl.org