Engage
Supplier Engagement Process
Engaging suppliers is a staged process: each step builds on the previous one, moving from an initial self-assessment through verified audit work to open communication and steady continuous improvement.
The five stages
From self-assessment to continuous improvement
Each stage produces information that informs the next: what the supplier reports, what is assessed, what is validated, what is discussed, and what is then improved.
-
Self-assessment
The supplier begins by describing its own practices, policies and working conditions in the areas covered by social compliance, giving the starting picture before any independent work takes place.
-
Risk assessment
On the basis of that picture, the risks in the supplier's operation are assessed, so that attention and resources are directed to the areas where they matter most.
-
Audit Validation
The self-declared information is checked against what is actually found on site, confirming or correcting what the supplier has reported.
-
Communication
Findings and expectations are shared openly with the supplier, so that both sides work from the same understanding of the situation and what has to change.
-
Continuous Improvement
Engagement does not stop at a report: the agreed actions are followed up over time so that performance keeps improving beyond the initial assessment.
At a glance
Stages and their role
| Stage | Focus |
|---|---|
| Self-assessment | Supplier describes its own practices |
| Risk assessment | Prioritising where risks sit |
| Audit Validation | Checking reported information on site |
| Communication | Sharing findings and expectations |
| Continuous Improvement | Following up actions over time |
Related
Where to go next
The engagement stages sit alongside the other parts of the portal: the key compliance topics that give the stages their content, the international standards that can be referenced, and the reference materials contributed by partner companies.