When you specify hardware for a project, you’re putting your name behind it too. That means the question isn’t just, does it look right and perform well? It’s also, can I stand behind where it came from?
That’s exactly what SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) helps answer, which is why we’ve made it a key part of how we operate at Crofts & Assinder.
We know responsible sourcing isn’t a destination, but an ongoing commitment. As we continue designing and finishing decorative hardware that’s built to stand the test of time, we’re equally committed to building a business that does the same through ethical practices, transparency and continuous improvement wherever in the world we source our raw materials.
SMETA looks beyond the finished product, assessing how a business operates across four areas:
- Labour standards
- Health & safety
- Environmental practices
- Business ethics
It’s a recognised standard, checked and re-checked, with continuous improvement built in rather than a one-off tick-box exercise.
For architects, interior designers and specifiers, choosing a supplier is about more than finish and price. It’s about having confidence that responsible sourcing is backed by genuine commitment, not just broad sustainability or ethical trading claims.
It’s also about being able to answer the questions clients and procurement teams increasingly ask: How do we know workers are treated fairly? What standards does the supplier work to? Can those claims be evidenced?
Since 1875, we’ve built our business on doing things properly. SMETA gives that a framework to sit behind.