Frequently asked questions

Yes. The S-Rating is subject to ongoing development. We communicate new requirements in good time via the Volkswagen Group Business Platform. In addition, the S-Rating may lose its validity if certificates expire, you make changes to the SAQ or an audit finding is inadequate. You should therefore ensure that your data is always up to date on supplierassurance.com.

Yes, you can improve the result of your S-Rating at any time. Use the suggestions for improvement from supplierassurance to do this and always ensure that the specific requirements of the Volkswagen Group are fulfilled. The suggestions for improvement from supplierassurance can be found in the questionnaire after you have logged in.

The self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) reviews your company using the following key criteria: management, human rights and working conditions, occupational health and safety, business ethics, environment and responsible supply chain management. If you already actively promote these areas in your company, regulate them with policies and processes and can furnish appropriate proof, answering the questionnaire should not pose any difficulties.

Technical questions about the platform, the SAQ or validation of your answers and documents can be asked at any time at supplierassurance: open a ticket for this purpose at supplierassurance.
We will answer your questions about the S-Rating at s-rating@audi.de.

The sustainability rating (S-Rating) is visible on the Volkswagen Group business platform ONE.KBP after you have logged in. You can find your S-Rating on the ONE.KBP homepage directly below your profile details. Please note that an S-Rating is a location-based rating and that you will only be able to see the S-Rating for the company location for which you are currently logged in. If you would like to see detailed information about your rating, please select “Further information” below “My S-Rating.”

The self-assessment questionnaire has to be filled out in principle by all companies that would like to enter into a business relationship with Audi. Companies that employ fewer than 10 people are exempt from the disclosure obligation. They can arrange to be exempted from participating in the S-Rating.

The self-assessment questionnaire is necessary so that Audi can gain insights into your commitment to the environment and your social conduct. As a global corporation, sustainability is a core element of the production process at Audi, irrespective of the location or its size. In order to ensure that business partners share the same approach, they under go the S-Rating procedure at the start of the business relationship. Only a positive S-Rating constitutes the basis for cooperation.

A time limit has not been set for filling out the SAQ. Please note, however, that the audit by NQC generally takes five work days. Please include these days in your calculations if you are in the middle of a bidding phase for a call for tenders.

Registering on the platform and completing the SAQ are free of charge for you.

The SAQ 5.0 provides the option of answering in eight languages: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin).

Yes, the catalog of questions in the SAQ is revised on a regular basis and new questions are added. As soon as a new version of the SAQ is available, all suppliers are required to fill out the questionnaire again. We will inform you about this on ONE.KBP. In addition, you will receive update requests from supplierassurance.

The DUNS number is a unique numerical code that is used to clearly identify a company. The DUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System) was developed by Dun & Bradstreet and is now regarded as an international standard.  

You will receive the code inviting you to take part in the S-Rating by email. The code will be issued to you after you have successfully registered on the ONE.Group Business Platform of the Volkswagen Group. Please enter the invitation code before filling out the SAQ on the supplierassurance.com platform. 

Registration at supplierassurance.com is free of charge for you. The costs of a possible audit are to be borne by the supplier.

The review of the questionnaire by NQC generally takes five work days. In this step, checks are carried out to see whether the documents you have uploaded to provide verification for your answers are valid. You cannot edit the SAQ during this period.

With a declaration of principles, you emphasize the meaning of a certain topic for your company and at the same time increase its significance. Furthermore, it provides your employees with guidance for aligning their own actions to the corporate objectives. As a binding frame of reference for external and internal partners, a declaration of principles highlights at a glance the values and standards that underpin your company.

A declaration of principles should be understood as a commitment to complying with applicable laws and international standards. The contents focus on the issues that are most relevant to your company, define targets for these, and lay down corresponding responsibilities. As a sign of transparency and openness, a declaration of principles is furthermore a commitment to an open exchange of views with internal and external partners.

A declaration of principles can focus on a specific subject area or cover different subject areas. The correct form for your company depends among other things on the size of your company, your risk exposure, requirements arising from management systems, and external requirements. A formally correct declaration of principles contains your company logo as well as what the current version is. Furthermore, the executive management commits to the declaration of principles and its contents by signing it. The area of application for example for subsidiaries is also an integral part of a complete declaration of principles.

You use the declaration of principles for internal and external communication by making it available to view for example on your website. Additionally, the declaration of principles should be a fixed and integral part of compulsory training programs, for example for new hires. The declaration of principles serves as a basis for describing procedures and processes that are used to deal with the corresponding subject areas. It is therefore important that the declaration of principles is revised and updated on a regular basis.

You will be requested to perform an on-site audit based on risk. The on-site audit presents a complete picture of the sustainability performance at your location and is a key component of the due diligence obligations in the Audi supply chains.

The on-site audit must be initiated independently by the supplier on the RSCI platform. Similarly, you appoint the auditing firm yourself. The costs vary depending on the size of the location, among other factors.

The on-site check is about inspecting the practical implementation of the information you have provided in the SAQ. It is intended to help you identify deficiencies that negatively impact the S-Rating and to show you actions that you can take to remedy these deficiencies. The on-site check is a supplement to the SAQ but does not release you from your obligation to continuously improve the self-assessment questionnaire.

If you do not agree with the deficiencies recorded in the report, please state this during the final meeting with the assessor. By subsequently signing the report, you confirm that you agree with the deficiencies that have been identified and that the report may be sent to us. If you subsequently have questions about the final report, please contact us or our service provider.

The Assessment Deviations Acknowledgement is a form sheet produced by the audit service provider when the audit has been carried out. All nonconformities identified will be discussed with you in the final meeting. With your signature, you confirm the results.

Yes, you have the possibility of remedying deficiencies identified during the on-site audit by implementing the measures defined by you in the Corrective Action Plan (CAP). The implementation of the measures will be reviewed by the audit service provider in what is known as a follow-up. The result of the follow-up is always incorporated into the new S-Rating.