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Audit

Audit

A TfS Audit of a supplier – instigated by a TfS member – provides a deeper look into its sustainability practice.

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A TfS Audit covers a single or combined business location such as a production site or warehouse. On-site employee interviews are included. TfS Audits are conducted by an external auditor (see key contacts for TfS approved audit firms below). An audit typically takes between one and three days and can be on-site, remote or a hybrid of the two.

Download the audit preparation checklist

Audit process

Sustainability performance is verified against a defined set of audit criteria on Management, Environment, Health & Safety, Labour & Human Rights, and Governance.

As with TfS Assessments, TfS Audits result in a supplier and site-specific Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to address areas with scope for improvement. An audited supplier usually has 36 months in which to address all audit findings before a re-audit, though major findings are expected to be resolved within 12 months or immediately in case of critical findings.

The Audited company and TfS members can see the Audit result and progress towards a CAP through a dedicated and secure online tool, the TfS OASIS Audit Sharing Platform.

The TfS Audit process is explained in this video.

TfS manages a pool of over 740 audits, with 75% of suppliers improved after a follow-up on CAP or re-audit.

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Audit benefits

An audit for one is an audit for all.

The TfS principle of collaboration results in Audits being shared with all TfS members. This provides practical advantages for both TfS members and suppliers:

Benefits to suppliers:

  • Enhances customer satisfaction through meeting expectations and requirements.
  • Lowers audit costs, as the result may be shared throughout TfS members
  • Demonstrates a real commitment to CSR accountability
  • Saves time and resources in responding to multiple requests from buyers
  • Exposes business opportunities through visibility to a pool of chemical buyers with a budget of more than €300 billion

Benefits to TfS members (Chemical buyers):

  • Supports corporate CSR ambitions
  • Provides efficiency gains and expanded choice in sustainable procurement
  • Assists with due diligence in a rapidly changing legislative landscape
  • Demonstrates a commitment to the consistent improvement of chemical supply chains

Auditors

TfS Audits are conducted by experienced expert companies operating globally: DQS, ERM, Intertek, SGS. Supplier companies can select the audit company of their choice.

In order to schedule a TfS Audit, contact the regional office indicated in your country (where available) or the Global Account Manager under ‘Main Contacts’. Suppliers from “new” / “other” countries shall reach the main contact.

Audit support

Are you a supplier ready to take the next step on your journey towards sustainability? Contact us for more information.

CONTACT US

TfS supports its members – and their suppliers – through the audit process, with resources available in the TfS Academy. This includes how to choose whether a supplier should be invited to be audited or assessed, tools for corrective action plans, knowledge on important sustainability issues as well as and sharing of best practice.

Find out more about the TfS Academy here

DOWNLOAD THE TFS AUDIT METHODOLOGY

Audit preparation checklist

This document offers guidance on TfS audit preparation for the suppliers/auditees and serves as a support tool for auditors. It includes general site information, a preparation checklist, and a list of commonly requested documents.
The checklist is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese.

ENGLISH VERSION
CHINESE VERSION
PORTUGUESE VERSION
SPANISH VERSION
JAPANESE VERSION

Audit methodology

This document has been developed by TfS as an information source for TfS members, suppliers, audit companies, auditors, potential new members, and other interested stakeholders. It sets out the objectives, requirements and procedures of the TfS Audit Program to ensure a credible, transparent, and consistent audit approach.

Download the TfS Audit Methodology

Data Sharing Agreements (DSA)

The Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) allows your audit report to be shared with all current and future members of TfS, helping reduce duplicate requests and streamline sustainability reporting.
Please select the appropriate DSA based on the type of audit your company has undergone: the DSA for TfS audits only for a TfS Audit; or the DSA for other audits for another recognized sustainability audit.

Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) for TfS audits only

Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) for other audits

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