Strengthening Human Rights Assurances: Enhanced Social Audits
The Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) is taking another step forward in strengthening human rights assurances within its Seafood Processing Standard (SPS). Beginning November 1, 2025, seafood processing plants that opt into the Enhanced Social Module (ESM) will be required to undergo overnight audits if they operate outside of standard business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m.).
This measure builds on GSA’s earlier move in August 2024, when fully announced enhanced social audits were phased out. Together, these changes aim to make social audits more representative of real working conditions and less vulnerable to compromise. By observing shifts in the evening and overnight hours through facility walkthroughs and worker interviews, auditors will gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of labor practices across the entire workday.
These updates are part of GSA’s broader continuous improvement process. Expanding audits beyond daytime shifts strengthens human rights assurances and provides endorsers and stakeholders with greater visibility into their supply chains. This not only helps protect company reputations by improving audit integrity but also encourages stronger due diligence and responsible business practices.
GSA published the latest version of the Seafood Processing Standard version 6.0 for both the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) and the Best Seafood Practices (BSP) certification programs last November, which introduced a new modular approach to the standard.
The ESM replaces the previous Enhanced Social Accountability (ESA) audit. The ESM provides a more comprehensive framework for evaluating labor practices, worker safety and overall social responsibility practices at seafood processing plants. For more information, view the unannounced and overnight audit policy here.
