Responsibility in the supply chain

The supply chain at Audi is subject to constant change and is also highly complex because of the large number of processing steps and materials involved. The company interacts with a considerable number of direct suppliers worldwide. That adds up to a large responsibility, but at the same time it offers enormous potential to operate sustainably at critical positions. Audi takes this duty seriously and works exclusively with partners who share the car manufacturer's values.

The possibilities and starting points for acting sustainably in the supply chain are as multi-layered as the supplier structure. Thanks to the consistent electrification of Audi vehicles, it is here that the majority of CO₂ emissions arise. That is why it is essential as part of the Audi CO₂ program to improve the CO₂ balance sheet in the supply chain even before the vehicles embark on their first kilometers on the road. For Audi, CO₂ emissions and recycled content are binding technical requirements that are specified by Audi and must be ensured and validated by suppliers. The company sees the largest reduction measures in the use of CO₂-reduced aluminum, CO₂-reduced steel, the increased use of secondary materials and the use of renewable energies in energy-intensive materials and manufacturing processes.

Since 2019, the so-called sustainability rating (S-Rating) has helped Audi to check the compliance of its suppliers with the Code of Conduct for Business Partners. Participation in the S-Rating is mandatory and a positive outcome is a basic prerequisite for entering into a business relationship. The individual auditing instruments of the S-Rating focus on sustainable action at the company’s sites. The S-Rating evaluation determines whether or not a site is eligible as a supplier. On a page set up specifically for this purpose, you will find further information on the S-Rating, on participation and on free training offers that will help suppliers to go through the process and, if necessary, improve their results.