amfori Business Environmental Performance Initiative

What is amfori Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI)?

The amfori Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is a comprehensive system designed to support businesses in managing and improving their environmental performance. Born out of the increasing need for sustainable business practices, the BEPI has its roots in the international trade association amfori, known for its dedication to open and sustainable trade. The amfori BEPI aims to create a structured pathway for businesses to monitor, manage, and ultimately improve their environmental performance. It provides tools, resources, and a framework to assess your current environmental footprint and identify areas for improvement.

Why is it important to conduct an amfori BEPI Audit?

There are multiple benefits to conducting an amfori Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) audit of your supply chain:

Environmental Benefits: The environmental benefits of implementing the amfori BEPI are manifold. Encouraging sustainable practices promotes resource conservation, waste reduction, and a decrease in harmful emissions.

Business Benefits: On the business front, implementing the BEPI can lead to cost savings through efficient resource use, enhanced resilience of your business to industry and market changes, and improved customer, supplier, and stakeholder relations.

Benefits for amfori BEPI members include:

• Enhanced environmental and financial performance
• Reduced risks and improved credibility
• Improved relationships in the supply chain

TÜV SÜD has the expertise to conduct your amfori BEPI Audit

Today, companies face complex environmental challenges and increasing regulation, which need to be considered in their direct operations and across their supply chains. To support companies in addressing critical environmental issues and trends and drive environmental improvements in their business activities, amfori developed a dedicated ecological due diligence program: amfori BEPI (Business Environment Performance Initiative).

amfori BEPI encompasses a broad scope of 8 Environmental Performance Areas (EPAs). A methodology grounded in aspects and impact assessment pinpoints the environmental hot spots pertinent to each business partner based on onsite production processes.

The 8 Environmental Performance Areas include:

1. Environmental Management Systems (e.g. ISO 14001, ISO 20400)
2. Energy & Climate (e.g. ISO 50001, SBTi and ISO 14064)
3. Emissions to Air (e.g. Carbon Footprint -GHG protocol, ISO 14064 and Carbon Neutrality-PAS 2060)
4. Water & Effluents (ISO 14001, Zero Liquid Discharge, ZDHC and Road To Zero)
5. Waste (e.g. ISO 14001, Circular Economy)
6. Biodiversity (e.g. ISO 14001)
7. Chemicals (e.g. MRSL/RSL compliances, GHS, CMS, ISO 20400, etc.)
8. Nuisances (e.g. ISO 14001)

TÜV SÜD amfori BEPI Audit Process

As a third-party auditing body, TÜV SÜD conducts audits in accordance with amfori BEPI. We offer worldwide support with competent and fully accredited local auditors. We use the following eight-step process as part of our amfori BEPI audit:

Eight steps to amfori BEPI Audit success:

1. Register on amfori sustainability platform: The amfori member invites the business partner (producers) to register on the platform
2. Create a company profile and complete site details: Once the business partner accepts an invitation to join members on the platform, they must create their company profile, create at least one site, and complete the details for each site
3. Risk assessment (RA) for BEPI: Based on the processes selected by the business partner, the amfori sustainability platform automatically includes the relevant Environmental Performance Areas in the site's risk assessment for amfori BEPI. This ensures the business partner receives a questionnaire tailored to their onsite activities
4. Improvement activities assignment: The risk profile provides the linked member with an overview of the business partner's level of maturity in managing environmental topics onsite. Based on the profile, the amfori member may assign the business partner to monitor the environment (or perform other improvement activities)
5. Conduct onsite monitoring: The monitoring party will conduct onsite monitoring in the defined window from the monitoring request, starting from the opening meeting and ending with a closing meeting
6. Monitoring report review: The designated technical reviewer evaluates the draft report once it is prepared by the lead auditor
7. Report Submission: The lead monitor submits the final report through the amfori sustainability platform within ten business days after onsite monitoring is completed.
8. Follow-up monitoring: Regardless of the overall score obtained during Environmental Monitoring, the monitoring report always provides a business partner with a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). During the follow-up, Environmental Monitoring, the monitoring person will only investigate EPAs with findings, i.e. all EPA sections that had findings in the initial monitoring report will be verified in their entirety during a follow-up. amfori highly recommends that follow-up monitoring should be scheduled at least 2 and 12 months after the initial Environmental Monitoring. This allows the site ample time to implement and document the necessary changes

Why choose TÜV SÜD?

TÜV SÜD is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC), delivering high-quality services to help clients meet the growing challenges of quality, safety, environmental protection, social responsibility and sustainability. 

• Trusted Partner of amfori: As a trusted partner of amfori, TÜV SÜD offers innovative solutions beyond simple compliance with regulations and standards. 100 BEPI assessments are conducted yearly for our clients to reduce risks, improve performance and promote sustainable development
• Global Resources and Expertise: TÜV SÜD's experienced BEPI Lead auditors are all trained and qualified
• Dedicated team to support your audit program: Work with your dedicated Audit Program Manager, who’ll be your advisor and manage every audit detail. We ensure your auditing and reporting process is streamlined