--- title: "Face It, Find It, Fix It: Insights from 60k SMETA Audits" description: See what 60,000+ audits reveal about supply chain risk and resolution - discover the latest insights from Sedex. image: https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/SMETA%207.0%20Data%20Visibility%20Landing%20Page%202%20%281%29.jpg --- ### **Face It,** **Find It, Fix It** ## **Turning Supply Chain Risk Data into Action ** Supply chains today are under more scrutiny than ever, but most organisations still struggle to see what’s really happening deep within their networks. We analysed** thousands of data points from 60,000+ recent SMETA audits, supplier SAQ data, and more,** to help you understand where risk truly sits. Our latest analysis offers an insight into the labour, ethical and environmental concerns identified on-the-ground at supply chain worksites worldwide: ![Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-9](https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/Dashboards/Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-9.png "Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-9") ##### **SEVERE ISSUES**  ##### flagged every week ##### **SITE SYSTEMS GAPS** ##### in child labour prevention ### + ##### **SITE ISSUES** ##### resolved in just one year ### + ##### **ISSUES IDENTIFIED** ##### in just four years ## **Key Findings From Sedex Data** ![Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Business_Ethics](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Negative/Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Business_Ethics.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Business_Ethics.png "Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Business_Ethics") ### 46% of audited sites were experiencing wage-related issues  From missing benefits to unpaid wages, these issues may disproportionately affect vulnerable groups including women and migrant workers. Apply these lenses to spot increased risks and impact. Wages concerns can also indicate hidden subcontracting, or more severe exploitation ![Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Environment](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Negative/Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Environment.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Environment.png "Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Environment") ### 29% of sites don’t know end-customers’ environmental requirements Achieving environmental goals depends on collaboration, which starts with bringing everyone in a supply chain on-board to agree commitments and shared actions. This statistic shows supplier engagement may be lacking, especially further upstream in supply chains.  ![Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Stakeholders](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Negative/Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Stakeholders.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Stakeholders.png "Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Stakeholders") ### 38% fewer critical issues at sites with gender-balanced management SMETA finds fewer serious issues at sites where women and men are equally represented in supervisory roles. Balanced leadership is essential to addressing gendered risks — from harassment to unequal pay — and supports better operations generally, as this insight shows ![Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Community](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Icons/Negative/Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Community.png?width=2000&height=2000&name=Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Community.png "Sedex_Icon_Pos_Red_Community") ### 30% fewer issues at sites respecting freedom of association  Freedom of association is a fundamental right that protects workers and lowers risks of exploitation, including forced labour. Our analysis finds that SMETA audits identify 30% more issues at sites saying they refuse to engage with trade unions, compared to those that do engage. Want to uncover more findings? [ Access the Report ](https://info.sedex.com/face-it-find-it-fix-it-ebook?hsLang=en) ### **See How Your Supply Chain Benchmarks Against SMETA Data ** Get a free Sedex risk scan and uncover where your biggest exposure might be. [ Book a free risk scan ](https://info.sedex.com/complimentary-supplier-match?hsLang=en) ![Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-3](https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/Dashboards/Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-3.png "Sedex-Dashboard-Composite-ENG-3") ### Learn More About SMETA [![SMETA-Audit-Guide](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SMETA-Supply-Chain-Blog.webp?width=360&name=SMETA-Supply-Chain-Blog.webp) ](https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/The%20Complete%20SMETA%20Audit%20Guide.pdf?hsLang=en) [### SMETA Guide **Navigating Responsible Supply Chains with Confidence using SMETA** ](https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/The%20Complete%20SMETA%20Audit%20Guide.pdf?hsLang=en) [ Get the guide ](https://info.sedex.com/hubfs/The%20Complete%20SMETA%20Audit%20Guide.pdf?hsLang=en) [![2-Supply-chain-mapping-how-to-get-started-feature-image](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2-Supply-chain-mapping-how-to-get-started-feature-image.jpeg?width=360&name=2-Supply-chain-mapping-how-to-get-started-feature-image.jpeg) ](https://www.sedex.com/blog/where-to-begin-with-supply-chain-risk-assessment/) [### **Blog** **Should businesses develop their own in-house auditing programme or embrace the globally recognised SMETA standard?** ](https://www.sedex.com/blog/where-to-begin-with-supply-chain-risk-assessment/) [ LEARN MORE ](https://www.sedex.com/blog/smeta-vs-inhouse-audits/) [![man-doing-audit-3](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/man-doing-audit-3.jpg?width=360&name=man-doing-audit-3.jpg) ](https://info.sedex.com/face-it-find-it-fix-it-infographic?hsLang=en) [### **Infographic** **Sedex Data Insights on Supply Chain Risk & Resolution**  ###### ** ** ](https://info.sedex.com/face-it-find-it-fix-it-infographic?hsLang=en) [ Download now ](https://info.sedex.com/face-it-find-it-fix-it-infographic?hsLang=en) ![Sedex HubSpot Header - Supplier Plus 3](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images%20Supplier%20Plus/Sedex%20HubSpot%20Header%20-%20Supplier%20Plus%203.jpg?width=2000&height=1083&name=Sedex%20HubSpot%20Header%20-%20Supplier%20Plus%203.jpg "Sedex HubSpot Header - Supplier Plus 3") ## Are you a supplier?  ### Learn more about the Sedex Supplier Membership. Join 115,000+ global suppliers who’ve simplified their ESG compliance, strengthened customer relationships, and unlocked new business opportunities. [ Find out more ](https://www.sedex.com/become-a-member/supplier-membership/) ### Over 95,000 companies worldwide trust Sedex to build ethical and sustainable supply chains ![asset 19](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2019.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2019.png) ![asset 24](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2024.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2024.png) ![asset 32](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2032.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2032.png) ![asset 37](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2037.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2037.png) ![asset 40](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2040.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2040.png) ![asset 44](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2044.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2044.png) ![asset 15](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2015.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2015.png) ![asset 16](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2016.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2016.png) ![asset 17](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2017.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2017.png) ![asset 18](https://info.sedex.com/hs-fs/hubfs/asset%2018.png?width=150&height=106&name=asset%2018.png)