Streamline Risk Assessment for Service Providers with Sedex's Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
The business landscape is changing rapidly, driven by increasing consumer expectations, evolving regulatory requirements, and a growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility. As companies strive to build sustainable and ethical supply chains, a comprehensive understanding of both goods and service providers is essential.
Sedex has a long history of helping businesses assess and manage risks within their supply chains. Our self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) has been a cornerstone for evaluating goods providers. Now, we’re excited to announce a significant enhancement: a tailored SAQ specifically designed for service providers.
What is a service provider?
A service provider is an entity that offers services rather than physical goods. Examples include cleaning, security, construction, transportation, or storage. In addition to these, the definition encompasses labour providers, and recruitment agencies.
The critical role of service providers
While the importance of assessing goods providers is well established, the role of service providers in supply chain sustainability is often overlooked. From transportation and logistics to cleaning and security, service providers play a pivotal role in delivering products and services to consumers. However, these sectors are often associated with higher risks of labour exploitation, health and safety hazards, and other ethical challenges.
By neglecting to assess service providers, businesses risk damaging their brand reputation and falling short of regulatory compliance. The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) underscores the need for comprehensive due diligence, encompassing both goods and services.
You can also read our blog on Why Assessing Service Provider Suppliers is Essential for Human Rights Due Diligence.
Sedex’s enhanced SAQ
Sedex’s new SAQ for service providers is designed to address these challenges head-on. By tailoring the questionnaire to the specific characteristics of service providers, we’ve created a more efficient and effective tool for identifying and mitigating risks.
Key features of the enhanced SAQ include:
- Characteristic-based approach: Questions are tailored to specific service provider characteristics, ensuring relevance and accuracy.
- Focus on key risk areas: The questionnaire covers critical areas such as labour standards, health and safety, business ethics, and environmental impact.
- Simplified process: reduces administrative burden for service providers by eliminating unnecessary questions.
- Alignment with regulatory requirements: supports compliance with regulations like the CSDDD.
Benefits for businesses
By utilising Sedex’s enhanced SAQ, businesses can:
- Comprehensive insights: Gain a holistic view of service provider practices across labour standards, health and safety, business ethics, and the environment.
- Regulatory compliance: Support compliance with mandatory due diligence regulations by capturing data required to demonstrate responsible sourcing practices.
- Risk mitigation: Identify and proactively address potential risks associated with service providers, such as forced labor, excessive working hours, and safety hazards.
- Streamlined assessment: Save time and resources with an efficient process that adapts to the specific characteristics of your service providers.
Join us in building a more sustainable future
With Sedex’s enhanced SAQ for service providers, businesses can build a more transparent and sustainable supply chain while protecting human rights and environmental well-being. Contact our team or your Account Manager to learn more about how Sedex can support your organisation’s social and environmental goals.
