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

A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, provided by Dun & Bradstreet. It's used globally to identify companies. SUPPLIERASSURANCE 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 organization 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

Can I invite my own suppliers to complete a questionnaire on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform?

Yes. By choosing to use the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform to engage with your suppliers and invite them to complete or share one of more of our globally recognized questionnaires with you, you are joining a group of forward-thinking organizations. You benefit from access to one of the largest global databases of verified and rated supplier assessments. You also benefit from a shared cost model meaning that you can achieve supply chain due diligence cost effectively.

Background

The SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform is trusted by some of the largest global brands.
Companies are under increasing demand to ensure compliance with key environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards within their supply chain.
The SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform provides an easy and cost-effective way for organizations to manage supply chain risk. You simply invite your suppliers to complete one or more of our questionnaires and you'll have all the data you need to manage risk and comply with various ESG related regulations.

Steps

To address your own supply chain due diligence using the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform and invite your suppliers to complete a questionnaire:

1. Sign in or register on your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. Choose the 'Upload suppliers' option from your 'My questionnaires' tab on your Dashboard.
3. Complete the information request form that will allow your organization to access the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform as a buyer and start your due diligence today.

How can I improve my SAQ 5.0 rating?

Improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating by addressing validation feedback (like evidence or declaration gaps) and by addressing any minimum requirements that one or more of your customers may have set. Ensure that you answer all mandatory questions positively with the correct supporting evidence. Be careful to ensure you fully review and select only those policy areas that are explicitly covered within your policy documents.

Background

You can iteratively improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating. The validation process provides specific feedback. Addressing an evidence gap (where evidence was insufficient) or a declaration gap (where you missed selecting an answer that your evidence covered) can positively impact your SAQ 5.0 Rating.
Focusing on the mandatory questions is important as these directly contribute to your SAQ 5.0 Rating. Optional questions provide additional insights for your customers but do not directly influence the SAQ 5.0 Rating.

Steps

To view your questionnaire results and any gaps identified during validation:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard', find the completed questionnaire you want to view (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. Select the 'Answers' tab.
5. If any gaps were identified during validation, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. Select an individual gap to learn more.
6. A gap may indicate:
   • an evidence gap - the uploaded evidence was not acceptable, or
   • a declaration gap - the validator found relevant policy information in your evidence that you did not declare in your answers.
   
   In both cases, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps.
   


7. Select the 'Update' icon on the top right of the questionnaire tile to make changes.


8. Navigate to the questions flagged in the validator feedback and upload improved evidence (for evidence gaps) or declare the correct policy options (for declaration gaps).

How can I view the supply chain map and data for my product?

After you've submitted information via the Supply Chain Mapper, you can view the mapped data by finding your product Supply Chain Mapper questionnaire on the dashboard and selecting the 'View supply chain' icon on the questionnaire tile. Visibility increases as your suppliers respond.

Background

The platform provides interactive views of your product's supply chain, including component locations on a map and a hierarchical breakdown. Remember, you will see your direct suppliers' but sub-tier information is anonymized for confidentiality.

Steps

To view a supply chain for a product:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard', find the completed Supply Chain Mapper questionnaire for the product you want to view (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the 'View supply chain' icon on the questionnaire tile for the product.

Explore the available views:

• 'Component map': Shows geographic locations.
• 'Component hierarchy': Shows the tiered structure.
• 'Component list': Provides a table overview.

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 SUPPLIERASSURANCE 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' icon on the right side of 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 SUPPLIERASSURANCE 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.