{"id":21085,"date":"2025-11-25T09:23:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T08:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/?p=21085"},"modified":"2025-11-25T09:23:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T08:23:16","slug":"smeta-1-audit-proof-of-our-ethical-commitment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/smeta-1-audit-proof-of-our-ethical-commitment\/","title":{"rendered":"SMETA: 1 Audit, proof of our ethical commitment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"87\" data-end=\"142\"><strong data-start=\"87\" data-end=\"140\">Values turned into action: our SMETA commitment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"539\">Since <strong>1939<\/strong>, Ecopack has been consistently committed to maintaining high standards not only in product quality but in every aspect of its operations. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/eco-sustainable-solutions-for-food-industry\/\">Sustainability<\/a><\/strong> lies at the heart of our philosophy: we don&#8217;t limit ourselves to reducing waste or production scraps, but consider the <strong>entire value chain<\/strong>: from <strong>technological innovation<\/strong> to <strong>social responsibility<\/strong>, as an integral part of our journey.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"539\">Behind every company are dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people who, day after day, invest their time, skills, and passion into their work. Ensuring them an <strong>ethical<\/strong>, <strong>safe<\/strong>, and <strong>sustainable environment<\/strong> is not only a moral duty but also a tangible commitment to those who contribute to the company\u2019s success.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"539\">For this reason, Ecopack has chosen to join <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sedex.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>SEDEX<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and voluntarily undergo the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sedex.com\/solutions\/smeta-audit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>SMETA<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0(Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit), putting its values to the test. In this way, we turn principles <strong>into concrete, verifiable actions<\/strong>, demonstrating that our ethics are not just a label, but a daily commitment to those who work with us and for us.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"539\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ragus.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/SMETA_02_Sedex-SMETA_670px_wide-2.png\" alt=\"SMETA audit\" width=\"538\" height=\"138\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"144\" data-end=\"539\">We believe that true sustainability goes beyond the environment: it encompasses <strong>people<\/strong>, the <strong>community<\/strong>, and the <strong>integrity<\/strong> <strong>of our processes<\/strong>. This approach is what makes Ecopack a <strong>forward-thinking<\/strong>, <strong>responsible company<\/strong>, capable of looking to the future with confidence.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"82\"><strong data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"80\">What is SEDEX<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"439\">SEDEX is an international platform used by thousands of companies to share information on <strong>workers\u2019 rights<\/strong>, <strong>health<\/strong> and <strong>safety<\/strong>, the <strong>environment<\/strong>, and <strong>corporate integrity<\/strong>. The platform requires companies to complete questionnaires on these topics to ensure <strong>transparency<\/strong>, <strong>ethical practices<\/strong>, and <strong>respect for people<\/strong> and the <strong>environment<\/strong> in all their activities.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"84\"><strong data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"82\">What is SMETA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\">SMETA is an audit conducted by external organizations within our company: it is the tool used to verify that what Ecopack declares on the SEDEX platform reflects reality. Auditors observe <strong>processes<\/strong>, review <strong>documents<\/strong>, and speak with <strong>employees<\/strong>, asking them questions to ensure compliance.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\"><strong data-start=\"63\" data-end=\"86\">The 4 SMETA pillars<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\"><strong data-start=\"89\" data-end=\"110\">LABOUR STANDARDS:<\/strong> this includes aspects such as forced labor, child labor, contractual conditions, fair wages, working hours, freedom of association, and the right to collective bargaining. The labor standards principles are based on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ilo.org\/?uptrends=757d7d14-382e-4b95-836f-9db66c392cb1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ILO<\/a><\/strong> (International Labour Organization) Conventions, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ethicaltrade.org\/sites\/default\/files\/shared_resources\/ETI%20Base%20Code%20%28English%29.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ETI Code<\/a><\/strong>, and national regulations. During the audit, the company\u2019s compliance with workers\u2019 rights is assessed.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\"><strong data-start=\"80\" data-end=\"102\">HEALTH AND SAFETY:<\/strong> this includes risk management, preventive measures, medical surveillance, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safety training, compliance with fire regulations, hygienic conditions, and access to adequate facilities (water, canteens, sanitary services, etc.). Occupational health and safety principles are based on national regulations, and the audit assesses how the company protects the health and well-being of its employees.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\"><strong data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"563\">ENVIRONMENT:<\/strong> this pillar focuses on environmental management, particularly waste management, sustainable use of resources, emission reduction, and compliance with local, national, and international environmental regulations. The audit evaluates the environmental impact of the company\u2019s activities.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"374\"><strong data-start=\"853\" data-end=\"873\">BUSINESS ETHICS:<\/strong> this includes the prevention of corruption, bribery, conflicts of interest, fraud, and anti-competitive behavior, ensuring that business is conducted with integrity and responsibility. During the audit, the company\u2019s ethical practices and transparency are examined.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 data-start=\"82\" data-end=\"121\"><strong data-start=\"82\" data-end=\"119\">What\u2019s the benefit for employees?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"123\" data-end=\"264\">This process plays a key role for employees, as some of them are interviewed by auditors in complete confidentiality. The <strong>benefits<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"294\">Greater workplace safety<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"294\">Fairer working conditions<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"383\">Increased attention to sustainability in all its forms<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"437\">Stronger credibility and stability of the company<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"100\"><strong data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"98\">What we demonstrate with SMETA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"100\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21076\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Ecopack headquarters\" width=\"391\" height=\"260\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-400x266.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2_ecopack_facciata-scaled.jpg 2560w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"102\" data-end=\"312\">Through SEDEX and SMETA, we are committed to demonstrating respect for workers\u2019 rights, maintaining safe environments, reducing environmental impacts, and ensuring fairness and transparency in all activities.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"314\" data-end=\"535\">We will continue to innovate, improve, and put our values into action for those who work with us and for those who choose our products. For us, <strong>trust<\/strong> means <strong>consistency<\/strong>, <strong>transparency<\/strong>, and <strong>responsibility<\/strong>, <strong>every single day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Values turned into action: our SMETA commitment Since 1939, Ecopack  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":21086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21085","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21085"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21085\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21095,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21085\/revisions\/21095"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21086"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21085"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21085"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ecopack.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21085"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}