Supplier ESG Audits & Compliance Services | UK Experts

What are ESG Supplier Audits?

TÜV SÜD’s ESG supplier audits evaluate the maturity and robustness of defined controls and implemented practices at selected suppliers, taking into account international best practices, national law, and Code of Conduct requirements where applicable. Audits are arranged around the pillars of environmental, social and governance, and consider the main sustainability criteria covered under prevailing Due Diligence Acts.

ESG supplier audits help you assess your suppliers’ ability to:

manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance responsibly.
address compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
mitigate adverse impact risks.
promote continuous improvement.

Why are ESG Supplier Audits essential?

Many companies face sustainability challenges due to legal obligations, investor expectations, and business partner demands. These include managing and disclosing social and environmental risks and opportunities along value chains, as well as their broader impact on people and the environment. Sustainability standards help buyers recognise their responsibility to address economic, ecological, and social impacts, extending these expectations to suppliers, particularly in areas such as human rights, workplace safety, environmental protection, and corruption prevention.

As the global business landscape evolves, sustainable supply chains are a necessity, driven by regulatory requirements, investor priorities, and changing consumer preferences. Ethical sourcing, risk management, and environmental considerations now take precedence over cost and delivery.

Audits are essential for mitigating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks in the supply chain, offering a structured and thorough evaluation of supplier practices and performance. They are crucial tools to manage due diligence obligations and protect your brand:

Prevention - independently cross-check your risk analysis and suppliers’ self-declarations.
Mitigation - assess the robustness of systems and practices in place at high-risk suppliers.

How can TÜV SÜD help you?

We assess the supplier’s alignment to your sustainability expectations through our standardised TÜV SÜD checklist or your own Code of Conduct. Our audits evaluate if suppliers contribute to your sustainability goals, share similar values, and integrate ESG considerations into their daily operations.

Additionally, we gauge supplier resilience, flexibility, and ability to respond rapidly to disruptions. Our ESG supplier audits strike a balance between standard practices and addressing higher-risk areas. This ensures adherence to social, ethical, and environmental best practices. We also offer topic-specific supplier audits to enhance monitoring and address specific areas of improvement or remediation.

Unchecked ESG risks can lead to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and supply chain disruptions. Our audits help you identify vulnerabilities before they escalate. Let us help you protect your business and your brand.

Ewa Kostowska-Cupak, Head of Assurance Services

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Key benefits of ESG Supplier Audits

TÜV SÜD offers impartial third-party ESG audits on a global scale, leveraging independent, industry-expert auditors to provide valuable insights into your upstream and downstream value chain. Dedicated local project managers backed by an experienced international team of ESG auditors and experts ensures flexible and cost-effective audits worldwide.

Your business benefits:

tick Demonstrate compliance with statutory ESG requirements to regulators, and business partners, and avoid regulatory issues and legal challenges.

tick Identify and mitigate risks and vulnerabilities by independently cross-checking your initial risk assessment through on-site visits to your supplier’s facilities.

tick Enhance your brand reputation by fostering stakeholder engagement, gaining valuable insights from your suppliers, and developing joint action plans for continuous improvement.

tick Gain investor confidence and increase access to capital by ensuring your company's suppliers adhere to your sustainability and ethical standards.

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TÜV SÜD’s ESG Supplier Audit Services

We assess the supplier’s alignment with your corporate values and their compliance with increasingly stringent regulations through our standardised TÜV SÜD checklist or your own Code of Conduct. Our audits evaluate if suppliers contribute to your sustainability goals, share similar values, and embed ESG considerations into everyday operations.

Additionally, we gauge supplier resilience, flexibility, and ability to respond rapidly to disruptions. Our ESG supplier audits strike a balance between standard practices and addressing higher-risk areas. This ensures adherence to social, ethical, and environmental best practices. We also offer topic-specific supplier audits to enhance monitoring and address specific areas of improvement or remediation.

We help you to understand whether your suppliers are:

aligned with your Code of Conduct which commits them to social, ethical, and environmental standards
complementing your efforts to achieve sustainability goals
sharing similar sustainability values and integrating them in their day-to-day business
configured for compliance with applicable laws
resilient, flexible, and able to respond rapidly to disruptions

If required, our ESG Supplier Audits can be adapted to your Code of Conduct specifications, helping you to find the right balance between standard practices and focus areas of higher risk. We can also complement your plans for monitoring the supply chain with topic-specific audits in the field of sustainability, especially for follow-up on identified areas of improvement or remediation of previous issues.

Why Choose TÜV SÜD for ESG Supplier Audits?

Years of experience: Benefit from our decades of experience in delivering reliable ESG supplier audits. We match technical experts from our global network to your project needs.

International presence: Take advantage of our global reach, providing you with consistent and standardised audit practices across multiple regions, enhancing compliance and oversight.

Expert partnership: TÜV SÜD’s experts are recognised by authorities, both nationally and internationally, and have a history of completing successful ESG supplier audits across various industries.

Dedicated project manager: Enjoy the convenience of having a single point of contact with a dedicated project manager who ensures your audit project is managed efficiently and delivered on time.

Customised solutions: Receive tailored audit solutions that align with your specific business goals and compliance requirements.

Want to know why organisations around the world choose us for reliable, comprehensive, and tailored ESG audit services?

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