Kathmandu, March 7:

Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd (SNPL) has been conferred with SA 8000-2001 Social Accountability Certification this year by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It is the first time that a Nepali company bagged this certification.

Based on audit carried by DNV in December 2006, the certification has been awarded for social responsibility activities, states a press release issued by SNPL today.

SA 8000-2001, Social Accountability Certification is considered as the most respected standard in the field of social accountability.

“It is another milestone and a testimony to our adherence to universal human rights compliance at the workplace, as also our commitment to social responsibility towards the community,” adds the release.

The SA 8000-2001 certification is awarded for the stringent adherence to human rights standards in the workplace, a certification that has been jointly developed by NGOs, trade unions and business groups of the USA.

This latest certification comes on top of numerous other awards like the Monde Selection, the British Safety Council Award, First National Safety Award, FNCCI Excellence Award, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification that SNPL has already achieved.

Over the years, SNPL has invested corporate social responsibility initiatives under the banner of Surya Nepal Prakriti for environment, Surya Nepal Asha for community empowerment, Surya Nepal Suswasthya for community health, and Surya Nepal Khelparyatan for promoting sports and tourism, adds the release.