Global Industry Supplier Sustainability Standard

 

A New Standard for Responsible Supply Chains

The transition towards sustainable industry extends beyond an organization's own operations to encompass the entire supply chain. Today, an increasing number of industrial companies are expected to demonstrate that their suppliers operate in accordance with high environmental, social, and ethical standards. The unprecedented pace of new regulations - including the CSRD, CSDDD, and Germany's Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) - is placing new obligations on European industry. In response to these challenges, the Green Industry Foundation has developed a new Supplier Sustainability Audit Programme. The programme is designed for industrial companies seeking to build responsible, transparent, and resilient supply chains while meeting growing regulatory and market expectations.

Why Are Supplier Audits More Important Than Ever?

New European regulations and evolving market expectations require industrial companies to monitor the performance of their business partners more closely than ever before. This includes assessing:

• the environmental impact of suppliers' operations,
• compliance with labour rights and occupational health and safety standards,
• business ethics and regulatory compliance,
• operational resilience and responsible supply chain management.

The Green Industry Foundation's audit programme helps companies identify risks, assess the sustainability maturity of their suppliers, and build long-term partnerships founded on responsible and sustainable business practices..

 

 

Methodology Aligned with European Regulations

Metodyka audytu została opracowana w oparciu o aktualne standardy i regulacje europejskie, w tym:

• CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) – supporting ESG reporting.
• CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) – establishing due diligence requirements across supply chains.
• VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs) – a voluntary sustainability reporting standard for small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Germany's Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG – Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz).

As a result, the audit findings provide practical support for companies reporting ESG data and conducting supply chain due diligence processes..

How Does the Audit Programme Work?

The supplier assessment process consists of several stages:

1. Supplier Self-Assessment (Online)
   The supplier completes a questionnaire covering key ESG and operational management topics.
2. Documentation Review
   Green Industry Foundation experts review the supplier's policies, procedures, and environmental and social data.
3. Expert Audit (Remote or On-site)
   Depending on the level of risk, the audit is conducted either remotely or during an on-site visit to the production facility.
4. Assessment and Audit Report
   The organization receives a comprehensive report containing the assessment results, risk analysis, and recommendations for further improvement.

 

 

Benefits for Industrial Companies

The Green Industry Foundation's audit programme helps companies:

• build responsible and transparent supply chains,
• meet ESG regulatory and reporting requirements,
• identify and mitigate risks within supplier relationships,
• strengthen reputation and stakeholder trust,
• develop long-term business partnerships.

Get in Touch

Supplier sustainability audits are a practical tool that helps industrial companies prepare for a future economy built on responsibility, transparency, and collaboration.

If your organization would like to assess its suppliers or obtain certification under the Global Industry Supplier Sustainability Standard, please contact us at monika.plonska@greenindustry.pl