SA8000 questions: the 2026 edition and transition

Decision and worked example

Example: An organisation wants to describe its 2014 certificate as 2026 certification after completing only self-assessment. Self-assessment is not a recertification decision against the new edition. Check CAB approval, audit type and the transition route linked to its last certification year. Do not treat surveillance as automatic transition. Keep training and self-assessment records separate from certificate identity and demonstrate implementation changes too. One invented expiry date cannot describe every organisation's transition; verify its real cohort and CAB availability.

Questions and answers

Conditions and authority limits

SAI's timeline updated 22 April 2026 was checked. Certified organisations' training/self-assessment condition by 31 December 2026 is tracked separately. The CAB's decision does not transfer to a consultant.

Kayra service role

An enquiry to Kayra concerns actual activities, sites, application information, authority and impartiality risks; this role does not include designing or implementing the client’s system. The programme owner’s rules and the selected body’s current authority, scope and decision responsibilities are checked separately. Preparation does not guarantee certification, mark permission, an audit rating or legal compliance.

Official sources

Checked: 3 October 2026. The example is conditional; it does not describe a customer transaction or approval.

• sa-intl.org — sa8000-standard
• sa-intl.org — sa8000-certification-program-timeline