What is a DUNS number, and why do I need one for NQC?

A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, provided by Dun & Bradstreet. It's used globally to identify companies. NQC requires it as the primary identifier during registration and for completing the SAQ 5.0 to ensure your customers can correctly identify your business.

Background

Using the DUNS number helps standardise supplier identification on the platform. There is no charge for an organisation to obtain a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet.

Steps

To find or request a DUNS number

Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website. A general starting point is the D&B D-U-N-S Number Lookup/Request page
(search online for "Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number request").

Specific regional links may also be helpful:

• Germany: dnb.com/de-de/upik/
• USA: dnb.com/duns-number/lookup.html
• China: dnb.com.cn
• Latin America: cialdnb.com/d-u-n-s-number/
• UK: dnb.co.uk/duns-number/lookup.html
• Other countries: dnb.co.uk/choose-your-country.html

My invitation code is invalid or isn't working. What's wrong?

An invitation code may show as invalid if it has already been used to start a new questionnaire.

Background

An invitation code may show as invalid for a number of reasons. The most common reason is if it has already been used to start a new questionnaire either by yourself or a colleague. Follow the steps to check if a questionnaire already exists on your account against which the invitation code has been used.

Steps

If you receive an error when entering an invitation code:

1. Check that you have entered the correct invitation code. Invitation codes are usually included within the email about the request.
2. If you continue to receive an invitation code error, use our chat service for support.

To find and share an existing questionnaire using an invitation code:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the existing questionnaire on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the 'Share' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
5. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
6. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
7. If the questionnaire is not yet complete, you must answer the remaining questions and submit for validation.

To start a new questionnaire using an invitation code:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' on the top right side of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and submit for validation.

What is SAQ 5.0?

The SAQ 5.0 is a Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire, created by Drive Sustainability - a Group of Automotive OEMs, and available exclusively on the NQC platform.

Background

The SAQ was created to remove duplication and improve efficiency for suppliers when responding to standard questions relating to sustainability activities.

Steps

What does the SAQ measure?

The SAQ is designed to assess and verify a supplier's compliance with CSR and sustainability expectations. It evaluates the policies, processes, functions, tools, and internal controls that an organisation has in place to manage its operations, meet objectives, and support continuous improvement.

How do I access or start the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire?

If you have completed an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire, you can view and update it, at any time. If you have been asked to complete a SAQ 5.0 questionnaire by a customer, you should use the invitation code that was included in the email about the customer request. Alternatively, you can complete an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire and obtain an SAQ Rating, without waiting to be invited, at any time.

Background

When SAQ 5.0 was launched, existing completed SAQs (like SAQ 4.0) were transitioned. Their scores were kept but marked with a 'U' for 'Unclassified'. To get an official SAQ 5.0 rating, you must 'Update' the questionnaire, review previous answers, and respond to the new/changed questions.

Steps

To view a questionnaire that you have already completed

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the completed questionnaire on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. If you want to update a previously completed questionnaire, select the 'Update' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. Progress through the questionnaire and edit the answers that you want to change.
5. Once you have made all the updates needed, make sure you submit your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response for validation in order to receive an updated SAQ Rating.

To start a new questionnaire using an invitation code

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' on the top right side of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and submit for validation.

How is the SAQ 5.0 scored and rated?

SAQ 5.0 results show two main indicators: a 'SAQ Rating' (Rating A-F) based on mandatory questions for your industry and headcount size, and a 'Sustainability Score' percentage reflecting performance across all mandatory answered questions.

Background

The SAQ 5.0 rating reflects how well you meet the essential sustainability requirements for your specific industry sector.
SAQ Rating:
A: 100% (Green)
B: 80% - 99% (Green)
C: 60% - 79% (Amber)
D: 40% - 59% (Amber)
E: 20% - 39% (Red)
F: Below 20% (Red)
Sustainability Score: This percentage shows your overall performance, including mandatory questions you answered, similar to previous SAQ versions.

Steps

To view your scoring results in detail:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the rating for on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. On the 'Overview' screen, you will see your SAQ 5.0 rating as well as a breakdown chart showing your rating for each sustainability section within the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire.
5. If a customer has set a minimum requirement that your current SAQ 5.0 response does not yet meet, this will appear as an 'Outstanding minimum requirement' on this page.
6. To update your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response-either to improve your rating or to meet your customer's minimum requirement-select the 'Update' button on questionnaire tile.