Stone Sapphire India Limited (SSIPL), the parent company of eco-friendly brand SKOODLE has added series of the social compliances under its name. Since children toys and stationery have to undergo stringent quality checks by several government bodies, adding a social agreement will help the brand ensure that their products Made in India not only compete with international brands in variety, but also in quality. Setting the company as a benchmark for ethical businesses, is its certification for achieving SMETA 4-Pillars. This authorization has been systematized by Sedex, a no-profit membership body committed to drive advances in responsible and ethical business practices in supply chains. Joining the few Indian companies to acquire a complete 4 pillar SMETA certification, through this accreditation, SSIPL lends its clients the certainty to have a sustainable production system, licensed by Sedex organization.

Conceptualized 4 years ago, SSIPL’s flagship brand, SKOODLE, focuses on making eco-friendly stationery, art and craft products and is one of the largest manufacturers of eco-pencils for children in India. This prestigious certification, will empower the brand to evaluate their suppliers, check for health and safety measures of employees, and ensure that their sites are free of human rights violation, child abuse or forced labour. Other benefits achieved by the company through SMETA certification include obtaining brand protection using ethical sourcing and an augmented supply chain management, that allows the brand to guarantee a sustainable production system to its customers.

Sedex, the organization that puts forth the key criteria for the SMETA certification, helps assess how compliant a company is in accordance with ethical standards. SMETA’s Four Pillar Audit consists of an assessment of Environmental Standards, Health and Safety Measures, Business Ethics, and Labour Standards. Apart from meeting the criteria of these four pillars, the company was also inspected for its management systems, entitlement to work, subcontracting and home-working. By passing SMETA’s assessment in these areas, Stone Sapphire India Limited is now certified as a 100% responsible business practice.

Shobhit Singh, Director, Stone Sapphire India Limited says, “This achievement in terms of certification is a noteworthy milestone for the brand. Thanks to SMETA 4-Pillars certification SSIPL can be evaluated as an ethical company. We have been constantly striving for ways to increase the betterment of our employees and to abide to the highest ethical standards. Our operations and internal teams are learning constantly and this certification is their fruit of labour. Being certificated by SMETA is just a stepping stone in the grander vision of maintaining excellence alongside meeting social responsibility.”