WIETA drives a pro-active world-class and sustainable ethical trade programme for the South African wine industry and aligned sectors. WIETA’s multi-stakeholder structure, representing both the interests of trade unions, civil society groupings, wine brands and their producers, places WIETA in a unique position to actively promote fair and decent working conditions within the wine industry and to provide a platform for dialogue around ethical trade and human rights issues.

As a Social Assurance Scheme, WIETA provides stakeholders with credible and reliable audit assurance and information about its member organisations social performance and compliance against the WIETA Standard. The information is housed on a well-developed audit platform that houses the member organisation’s profiles, audit and assurance history.

WIETA’s Audit Assurance System and Policy Framework sets clear social and ethical compliance standards, policies, and procedures that align with international guidelines and regulations. Regular independent and external third-party audits are conducted to assess and evaluate the auditee member organisation’s adherence and compliance to the WIETA standard.

These regular social audits are conducted by third party audit firms against clear risk criteria. Auditee member organisations are assessed, and verification is undertaken through triangulation, which includes documentation, worker interviews, management interviews and site inspections. It further includes the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the implementation of the WIETA standard on the auditee member organisation’ss management systems, human and labour rights, working conditions, health and safety, work housing and community wellbeing.

Member organisations and their workers are provided with necessary training, capacity building and resources to enhance their understanding and implementation of the WIETA social compliance requirements. This aspect emphasizes continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are carried out to ensure compliance with the WIETA social standard. In cases of non-compliance, corrective action plans are put in place to rectify issues and prevent future occurrences.

WIETA also hosts a robust complaints hotline, Vineyard Voice and remedy support system which follows up and investigates any complaints and incidences of potential transgressions against the Standard.

WIETA’s Social audit assurance further promotes transparency and traceability in a member organisation’s operations and supply chain and holds it accountable for its social ethical impact.