Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co.,Ltd.
Yes, it can. SMETA and Amfori BSCI have two different audits. They are administered by two distinct organizations. Amfori does not replace its own audit with an SMETA report. It may require both if it sells to both buyer groups.
What kind of audit does your buyer want? This is the first question in a SMETA vs BSCI PPE factory audit. Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co., Ltd (ZIMAI) said it has exported PPE for more than 30 years. It also states several of its factories have been audited against SEDEX and BSCI.
Why Do PPE Factories Get Audited?
PPE manufacturing is audited because purchasers have to prove their suppliers are following the requirements. The regulations concern labor, safety and ethics. They, are based on ILO labor norms. Buyers have a responsibility to verify their supplier chain too. This is known as supply chain due diligence. Social compliance audits are usually required by most buyers before they onboard a supplier.
What Does Ethical Sourcing Mean for PPE Buyers?
Ethical sourcing gives a buyer the ability to prove that its suppliers treat workers appropriately and maintain safe locations. PPE offers protection to workers. So purchasers expect the company to keep its own staff safe, too.
Is an Audit the Same as a Certificate?
No. SMETA and amfori BSCI do not give a certificate. They do not give a simple pass or fail either. In any SMETA vs BSCI PPE factory audit, the buyer reads the report and decides.
What Is a SMETA Audit, and Who Owns It?
A SMETA audit is an ethical trade audit. It is owned by Sedex. Sedex is a worldwide membership organization. SMETA means Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit. It draws upon the ETI Base Code and ILO labor regulations. This function may be performed only by certified affiliate audit companies.
Why Does Sedex Membership Come First?
Group is and the platform is Sedex. Audit methodology SMETA. As of 4 May 2022, a SMETA audit is only available for Sedex members. Sedex membership also allows a site to access Sedex Advance. There are members sharing their info.
What Does the Audit Scope Cover?
- 2-Pillar: Labor Standards and Health & Safety. It also looks at management systems, right to work, subcontracting and homeworking. It has a short environment check too.
- 4-Pillar: The same parts, plus an extended Environment review and Business Ethics.
What does SMETA 7.0 Add?
SMETA 7.0 adds a Management Systems Assessment (MSA). The MSA checks if a site keeps its rules going over time. After the audit, the site gets a SMETA report. It also gets a Corrective Action Plan Report (CAPR).
How Does an amfori BSCI Audit Work?
An amfori BSCI audit checks a producer against the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct. amfori runs the scheme. It also runs the amfori Sustainability Platform. Many audit firms use auditors enrolled with APSCA. APSCA is the body for professional social compliance auditors.
Who Can Request an amfori BSCI Audit?
Only the amfori member in charge of the supplier can ask for the audit. This member is called the RSP. A supplier cannot book one by itself.
What Are the 13 Performance Areas?
The audit covers 13 Performance Areas. Each area gets a rating from A to E. The overall result gets a rating too.
How Often Do Full Audits and Follow-Ups Happen?
A full audit repeats every two years. AD or E rating needs a remediation plan within 60 days. Then a follow-up audit must happen within 12 months. Full audits are usually semi-announced.
SMETA vs BSCI PPE Factory Audit, Side by Side
SMETA and amfori BSCI start from the same ideas. But they work in different ways.
Comparison: SMETA and amfori BSCI
| Point | SMETA | amfori BSCI |
| Owner | Sedex | amfori |
| Code base | ETI Base Code | amfori BSCI Code of Conduct |
| Who requests | A Sedex member site or buyer | The responsible amfori member (RSP) |
| Audit scope | 2-Pillar or 4-Pillar | 13 Performance Areas |
| Result format | Report and CAPR, no grade | A to E rating |
| Certificate issued | No | No |
| Platform | Sedex | amfori Sustainability Platform |
| Repeat cycle | No fixed validity | Full audit every two years |
Where Do the Two Schemes Overlap?
Both use ILO-based labor standards. Both check labour, health and safety, environment and ethics. The audit scope is not the same in every detail. Still, many fixes help both reports.
Where do they differ?
SMETA gives a report and a CAPR. It gives no grade. The site shares the report with chosen buyers on Sedex. amfori BSCI gives an A to E rating. amfori members can see it on the platform.
Can One Factory Hold Both Audit Reports?
Yes. One factory can hold a SMETA report and an amfori BSCI report. Each one needs its own audit. The buyer decides which report to accept. So a SMETA vs BSCI PPE factory audit is rarely an either-or choice.
Why Does amfori Not Accept SMETA Reports?
amfori says it cannot recommend that its members accept SMETA in their due diligence checks. So a factory with a SMETA report still needs a separate BSCI audit for amfori buyers. The SMETA report is still useful for Sedex buyers.
When Does a Factory Need Both?
A factory may sell to Sedex member buyers and amfori member buyers. Then it may need both reports. Ask each buyer in writing which report it accepts.
Why Does the Plant Matter?
Both audits are for one plant, not the whole company. Ask which plant was audited. Then check that the same plant makes your order. A SMETA vs BSCI PPE factory audit only helps you if it covers that plant.
How Do You Fix Audit Findings?
A corrective action plan lists each gap, the fix and the due date. It turns a finding into a task with an owner.
How Do You Read a SMETA CAPR?
The CAPR lists each non-compliance, the fix and the time frame. Check every open item.
What Does an amfori BSCI Remediation Plan Need?
The plan is due within 60 days for a D or E result. The follow-up audit then checks only the gaps.
Can One Fix Serve Both Audits?
Yes, for many issues. Working hours, safety and records come up in both schemes. One corrective action plan can help both reports.
What Does ZIMAI Offer on Social Compliance?
Factory Introduction
Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co., Ltd. (ZIMAI) makes and supplies PPE. It was founded in Shanghai, China. It says it has over 30 years of exporting experience in PPE. It has shown at A+A Düsseldorf in 2023 and 2025. It has also shown at NSC Denver in 2025 and the 139th Canton Fair.
Factory Certification and Audit Records
ZIMAI is certified to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015. Some of its plants have been audited in accordance with SEDEX and BSCI. Most of its working gloves, safety shoes, masks and Hi-Vi workwear are CE certified. You can see its records on the certificates page .
Focus on Hand Protection
ZIMAI’s hand protection range has 16 glove groups. The groups are Specialty product & CAT III, Mechanical, Anti-cut, Anti-Impact, Anti-Vibration, Heat proof, Cold Proof, NBR, Latex, PU, PVC, Household & Industrial, Disposable, Leather, Knitted and Cotton.
Delivery and Supply
ZIMA is an provide one stop PPE supplies. Its scope ranges from helmet protection to foot protection. Its site claims it arrives on time. Ask which factory has the audit. Also inquire how to acquire the report.
What Should You Check Before You Order?
- Which plant was audited?
- Which audit is it: SMETA (2-Pillar or 4-Pillar) or amfori BSCI?
- When was the audit? What is the CAPR or rating now?
- Can you see the report on Sedex or the amfori platform?
- Did you check the CE product certificates apart from the social audits?
FAQs
Is Sedex membership the same as a SMETA audit?
No. You may access the Sedex platform as a Sedex member. The audit is SMETA. First, you must be a Sedex member.
Does a SMETA or BSCI audit give a certificate?
No. Report, not certificate. Neither passes nor fails. A designation, not the report reviewed by ethical sourcing teams
How often do SMETA and BSCI audits repeat?
SMETA has no defined termination date. Buyers frequently put roughly 1 year as a restriction. BSCI complete audits are repeated every two years.
Can a supplier request an amfori BSCI audit?
Nah. The amfori member who is responsible for the supplier requests it on the amfori portal.
Do SMETA or BSCI replace CE marking for PPE?
No. Social audits check how people work. CE marking is about the product. You can read about the product side in ZIMAI’s CE marking for PPE guide .
How can a buyer confirm a SMETA report is genuine?
Ask for access through Sedex. Then check that an approved Affiliate Audit Company did the audit.
Conclusion
Your buyer base decides the audit. Check the plant, not the company. Then match the report to each buyer’s rule. This settles most SMETA vs BSCI PPE factory audit questions.
Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co.,Ltd . is a good choice for buyers who want one supplier for PPE from head to foot. It also helps buyers who want audit details for each plant. Reach the team on the contact page .