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ASSURANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS: CONSOLIDATING A STRATEGIC DOCUMENT
Second Party Audits
SUPPLY CHAIN AUDIT
INDEPENDENT SECOND PARTY ASSESSMENTS TO ENSURE QUALITY THROUGHOUT YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN
With increasingly complex global supply chains and greater expectations on ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) matters, it has never been more important to monitor the performance of suppliers through second party audits.
Whether they are based in the UK or overseas, if organisations within your supply chain do not meet established standards of safety, ethics, quality or sustainability, it can have a damaging effect on your business.
Bureau Veritas offers a solution with trusted 2nd party audits to assess the performance of your suppliers. We provide the confidence you need to monitor supplier performance against internal, sector or international standards, reducing the risk of your own brand reputation being damaged by those in your supply chain.
THE BENEFITS OF SUPPLY CHAIN SECOND PARTY AUDITS
- Complete an independent assessment of your suppliers’ performance in line with your internal, sector-specific, national and international standards
- Improve credibility and confidence that every component of your products and services meets recognised standards
- Reduce the risk of reputational damage caused by organisations within your supply chain
- Gain insights to strengthen your supply chain
- Implement reliable and effective processes to improve business performance
OUR SECOND PARTY AUDIT PROCESS
Bureau Veritas offers a global team of experienced auditors, working closely with clients to undertake tailored second party audits in the most efficient way, without compromising on results.
This may include quality, safety, environmental and social responsibility, as well as contractual performance.
Whether you are launching a new product, seeking new suppliers or looking to assess quality within an existing supply chain, we support you to monitor performance, reduce costs, establish quality and identify areas for possible improvement, supporting your management system in line with international standards.
Our trusted process for 2nd party audits includes:
- Develop an audit plan, tailored to each individual supplier across all work streams
- Face to face or remote meetings with suppliers to discuss audit parameters and answer questions
- Comprehensive review of existing documentation and any existing issues that have been highlighted
- Assessment of supplier processes and operational facilities including manufacturing sites and storage areas
- Establish process for non-compliant products
- Determine whether the supplier is able to meet quantity and delivery demands
- Detailed audit report and timeline for corrective actions
UK Certification Audit Manager
Bureau Veritas
“Second party supplier audits provide you with the confidence you need that your suppliers are performing to internal, sector or international standards. Crucially, they can reduce the risk of your own brand reputation being damaged by the performance of those in your supply chain.”
What is a second party audit?
A second-party audit is an evaluation conducted by an organisation on its suppliers or contractors to assess their compliance with agreed-upon contractual requirements, quality standards, or specific criteria. Unlike a third-party audit, which is performed by an independent external organisation, a second-party audit is conducted by the purchasing organisation or a representative appointed by the organisation.
The purpose of a second-party audit is to verify and ensure that the supplier or contractor meets the specified criteria, such as quality standards, safety regulations, environmental policies, or other contractual obligations. It allows the purchasing organisation to evaluate the capabilities, performance, and reliability of their suppliers, ensuring they adhere to the agreed-upon terms.
During a second-party audit, the purchasing organisation typically conducts on-site visits, inspections, interviews, and document reviews to assess the supplier's processes, procedures, controls, and overall compliance. The audit findings help the purchasing organisation make informed decisions regarding the continuation of the supplier relationship, improvement requirements, or potential changes to the contractual arrangements.
Second-party audits are commonly used in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, automotive, and supply chain management, where it is essential to ensure the quality and reliability of goods or services provided by suppliers or contractors.
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR 2nd PARTY AUDITS?
- Experienced and professional team of second party auditors operating worldwide, with local expertise
- Strong knowledge and worldwide accreditation across national and international standards
- A partnership approach to ensure second party audits are undertaken to your individual requirements
- Support from a global leader with more than 150,000 active ISO certificates and 7,400+ skilled auditors worldwide
- Complete peace of mind from an impartial, independent third-party
- Wide range of supplementary services and training courses
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What is a second party audit in the food industry?
A second-party audit is an external audit performed on a supplier by an independent organisation. It checks the performance of that supplier against various standards to ensure that they can deliver goods safely and meet requirements as agreed.
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Why would I need a second party audit?
Second party audits provide an overview of supplier performance against internal, sector or global standards. They are particularly useful if you are launching a new product, seeking new suppliers or simply looking to assess and maximise quality within your existing supply chain.
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What is a remote 2nd party audit?
Remote 2nd party audits are delivered from a remote location using technology to complete a desktop assessment. They are effective in reducing the cost of audit programmes, particularly with global supply chains, or when on-site access is not possible.
