Both touch on worker welfare, but from different angles and for different purposes. ISO 45001 is a safety management system. SA8000 is a social accountability standard with mandatory worker interviews.
ISO 45001 = OH&S management systemSA8000 = social accountability (worker rights)SA8000 includes H&S but covers much more
Health & Safety
ISO 45001
International standard for OH&S Management Systems. Replaced OHSAS 18001 (withdrawn March 2021). Requires hazard identification, risk controls, and worker participation.
Social
SA8000
Social accountability standard covering nine worker rights: child labour, forced labour, working hours, wages, freedom of association, H&S, and management systems. Worker interviews mandatory.
Worker interviews
ISO 45001: not standard. SA8000: mandatory
Who asks for it
OEMs/PSUs vs EU/US fashion buyers
Wages and working hours
ISO 45001: not addressed. SA8000: explicit
Dimension
ISO 45001
SA8000
Focus
Physical workplace hazard management
Worker rights across 9 social dimensions
Worker interviews
Not a standard feature
Mandatory, private, without management present
Wages and working hours
Not directly addressed
Explicitly required, legal minimum compliance
Child and forced labour
Not directly addressed
Explicit prohibition, verified at audit
Freedom of association
Worker participation (Cl. 5.4)
Explicit right with worker representation required
H&S requirements
Comprehensive, core of the standard
One of nine SA8000 elements
OHSAS 18001 replaced?
Yes, fully March 2021
Not applicable
Who asks for it
Automotive OEMs, PSUs, construction
European/US fashion, consumer goods brands
Typical Indian adopter
Manufacturers, automotive, heavy industry
Garment, textile, footwear exporters
Which one do you actually need?
→ Choose ISO 45001 if
Your buyer has asked for ISO 45001 specifically
You supply to automotive OEMs or PSUs requiring OH&S certification
You want a formal safety management system with documented controls
→ Choose SA8000 if
A European or US fashion/consumer goods brand has asked for SA8000
Your buyer has specified social compliance certification
You are a garment, textile, or footwear manufacturer exporting to global brands
Can you have both?
Yes, and common for export manufacturers. ISO 45001 provides a strong foundation for the SA8000 health and safety element. But SA8000 adds child labour, forced labour, wages, and freedom of association, dimensions ISO 45001 does not address.
Clicarity's production job tracking generates operational control records for both ISO 45001 and SA8000 H&S requirements. Safety confirmation fields at hazardous stages, operator attribution, and shift records with supervisor sign-off contribute to the evidence both standards require. See how it works →