Another successful SMETA audit for MWW

The first Monday back after Christmas is rarely quiet, but this January brought us an unexpected SMETA audit – also known as the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit.

Developed by the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), a SMETA audit is designed to assess and monitor responsible business practices in global supply chains, evaluating labour, health and safety, environmental impact, and business ethics.

You can’t prepare for an unannounced SMETA audit; after all, it’s designed to build a true picture of how ethically a business operates. When the auditors arrive, all you have is your team and the strength of your company’s culture.

How did MWW perform?

We’re delighted to have been successful in the SMETA audit for 2026 – with positive feedback across the board. The report noted strong and well-embedded management systems, supported by clear policies, effective communication and consistent monitoring. Employee engagement was highlighted as a particular strength for us, with interviews described as open, honest and reflective of a positive working culture.

Just a normal day at MWW

What struck us during the SMETA audit was that it felt like an ordinary day at MWW. Even under scrutiny, no one in our team felt the need to change their behaviour or processes. They simply carried on doing what they normally do in a working day – supporting one another, working safely, communicating openly, and focusing on the job in front of them.

These types of audits are designed to test whether policies only exist on paper or if workers really do uphold them. And perhaps most importantly, whether the company’s culture holds up under real-world working conditions.

Encouragingly, the audit found that our ethical standards were not dependent on supervision or special preparation. They were already embedded in our everyday practice – from our working hours and pay processes to health and safety, non-discrimination and respectful treatment of our colleagues across the workforce.

In a sector as fast-moving and complex as fresh produce, that’s what matters.

Why compliance matters 365 days a year

Supply chains can span countries, climates and communities. Behind every product are people whose working conditions, safety and wellbeing matter to us. SMETA provides a framework for consistency and transparency across that complexity, helping customers place trust in the supply chains they rely on while supporting continuous improvement.

But like any framework, its real value lies in how it’s lived day to day by companies and their staff.

Commenting on the audit, the MWW Leadership Team said: “We talk a lot about doing the right thing. The audit showed that it’s not just talk – it’s how we operate.”

As an independent, privately owned business, we here at MWW believe strongly that how people are treated internally shapes everything else, from supplier relationships to customer confidence and long-term resilience.

A massive well done to all the MWW team for passing such an important audit. But as we noted, it was just another normal Monday for us – and in many ways, that’s exactly the point.