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 that may have been identified during the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard' find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the results for (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 have been identified during the validation process, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. You can click on an individual gap to find out more about the gap.
6. A gap can either mean that the evidence you uploaded was not acceptable (an evidence gap) or it can mean that you could have missed an opportunity to declare a policy topic area that was found in your evidence but you did not select the answer option (a declaration gap). In either scenario, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps found.
7. To update your questionnaire response, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.
8. Navigate to the questions identified in the feedback. Upload improved evidence for evidence gaps or select the correct policy options for declaration gaps.

How is the SAQ 5.0 scored and rated?

SAQ 5.0 results show two main indicators: a 'Minimum Scope 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.
Minimum Scope 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 both mandatory and optional questions you answered, similar to previous SAQ versions.

Steps

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
3. Find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the rating for on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
5. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
6. On the 'Overview' tab, you will see your SAQ 5.0 rating as well as a breakdown chart showing you your rating by each sustainability section within the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire.
7. If a customer has set a minimum requirement on an answer within the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire and your SAQ 5.0 response does not yet meet this, this will show as an 'Outstanding minimum requirement' on this page.
8. To update your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response to improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating or to meet your customer's minimum requirement, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.

Why does my completed SAQ show a 'U' next to the score?

The 'U' stands for an 'Unclassified' SAQ Rating. It appears on SAQs completed before the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire update was launched. It indicates the displayed score is based on the older SAQ version (e.g. SAQ 4.0).

Background

When the SAQ 5.0 was introduced, existing completed questionnaires retained their scores but were marked 'U' until actively updated by the user. To remove the 'U' and get an official SAQ 5.0 rating, you must update the questionnaire.

Steps

Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account. Find the questionnaire showing the 'U' score on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed). To update your questionnaire response, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile. Progress through the questionnaire, edit the answers that you want to change and respond to new or modified questions offered in the SAQ 5.0 version of the questionnaire. 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 5.0 Rating.

What is a 'Declaration Gap' in my SAQ 5.0 validation feedback?

A declaration gap means that the validation team found evidence of a policy topic area that you did not select in your policy response. It highlights an opportunity to improve your questionnaire rating or score by updating your response to reflect your evidence accurately.

Background

If any gaps have been identified during the validation process you will be notified about this and you can view further information on the questionnaire answers page on the platform. A gap can either mean that the evidence you uploaded was not acceptable (an evidence gap) or it can mean that you could have missed an opportunity to declare a policy topic area that was found in your evidence but you did not select the answer option (a declaration gap). In either scenario, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps found.

Steps

To view your questionnaire results and any gaps that may have been identified during the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard' find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the results for (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 have been identified during the validation process, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. You can click on an individual gap to find out more about the gap.
6. A gap can either mean that the evidence you uploaded was not acceptable (an evidence gap) or it can mean that you could have missed an opportunity to declare a policy topic area that was found in your evidence but you did not select the answer option (a declaration gap). In either scenario, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps found.
7. To update your questionnaire response, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.
8. Navigate to the questions identified in the feedback. Upload improved evidence for evidence gaps or select the correct policy options for declaration gaps.

I have an urgent deadline from my customer. Can the validation of my questionnaire be expedited?

We are unable to prioritise validations however all questionnaires are typically validated within 5 working days.

Background

The validation process typically takes up to 5 working days after you submit your questionnaire. You will receive an email notification as soon as the validation process has finished. At that point, you and any customer that your questionnaire response is shared with, will have access to the COMPLETED response and rating.

Steps

To check the status of your questionnaire and the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. Find the questionnaire that you want to check the status of on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
4. If the questionnaire is shown with a 'VALIDATING' status, it means that the process of validating your response has not yet finished. Please note that the validation process typically takes up to 5 working days.
5. Once the validation process has concluded, the questionnaire status on your Dashboard will change to 'COMPLETED' and you will be able to view your questionnaire rating and results.
6. If your questionnaire response status remains in 'VALIDATING' for longer than 5 working days, this most likely means that there has been no payment made for the SAQ 5.0 Rating, report and results.

What is the minimum SAQ 5.0 score I need to pass?

There is no universal 'passing' score. Customers may set their own minimum requirements. If customers have set their minimum requirements on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform, you will be able to view your results against their requirements.

Background

Even with a high overall SAQ 5.0 Rating, you may not meet a customer's needs if you are missing their requirements for a mandatory policy or certificate. Your customers might set a target percentage score for the SAQ 5.0 or it may depend on you having specific documents, like a valid policy or certificate.

Steps

If your customer has set a minimum requirements against the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire you can view this by following these steps:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard' find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the results for (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. If a customer has set a minimum requirement on an answer within the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire and your SAQ 5.0 response does not yet meet this, this will show as an 'Outstanding minimum requirement' on the 'Overview' tab.
5. To update your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response to improve your SAQ 5.0 Rating or to meet your customer's minimum requirement, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.

How long does it take for my submitted SAQ 5.0 questionnaire to be validated?

The validation process typically takes up to 5 working days after you submit your questionnaire. You will receive an email notification once it's complete.

Background

During the validation period, your questionnaire status will show as 'Validating' on your Dashboard. During this process you cannot make any changes to your answers. That is because the SUPPLIERASSURANCE team need time to review your submission and the evidence that you uploaded to ensure that it meets acceptable evidence criteria. Once the validation process is complete, you will receive an email notification and you will be able to review your questionnaire results. You can also then update your answers, at any time.

Steps

To check the status of your questionnaire and the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. Find the questionnaire that you want to check the status of on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
4. If the questionnaire is shown with a 'VALIDATING' status, it means that the process of validating your response has not yet finished. Please note that the validation process typically takes up to 5 working days.
5. Once the validation process has concluded, the questionnaire status on your Dashboard will change to 'COMPLETED' and you will be able to view your questionnaire rating and results.
6. If your questionnaire response status remains in 'VALIDATING' for longer than 5 working days, this most likely means that there has been no payment made for the SAQ 5.0 Rating, report and results.

What does it mean if my SAQ 5.0 validation feedback includes 'Gaps'?

Gaps' indicate that the SUPPLIERASSURANCE validation team found issues with the evidence you provided for one or more answers. The evidence might be missing, insufficient, expired or not meeting the required criteria. Each Gap includes a reason to help you correct it.

Background

You will receive an email notification when validation is complete, highlighting any Gaps. Addressing these Gaps is necessary to improve your score. You'll need to update your SAQ response by providing appropriate evidence that meets the criteria outlined in the Gap feedback and the question guidance.

Steps

To view your questionnaire results and any gaps that may have been identified during the validation process:

1. Sign in to your SUPPLIERASSURANCE account.
2. On your 'Dashboard' find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the results for (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 have been identified during the validation process, they will be listed at the top of the 'Answers' tab. You can click on an individual gap to find out more about the gap.
6. A gap can either mean that the evidence you uploaded was not acceptable (an evidence gap) or it can mean that you could have missed an opportunity to declare a policy topic area that was found in your evidence but you did not select the answer option (a declaration gap). In either scenario, you should update your questionnaire response to address the gaps found.
7. To update your questionnaire response, choose the 'Update' icon on the top right of the page on the questionnaire tile.
8. Navigate to the questions identified in the feedback. Upload improved evidence for evidence gaps or select the correct policy options for declaration gaps.