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 Replaced OHSAS 18001 (withdrawn March 2021).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 →