Do I have to complete the entire SAQ again?

No, you will not have to complete the entire SAQ again if you have completed the SAQ previously as all your previous answers that are relevant to the SAQ 5.0 will have been saved.

The SAQ 5.0 will incorporate new content to reflect the growing focus on environmental and human rights practices in the supply chain due to new legislation and the need for companies to demonstrate effective due diligence in this area. As you are updating your existing answers, you will see the new…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing, completed questionnaire by searching with location details
3. Once located, select 'Update SAQ 5.0'
4. All your previous answers will be saved and you will be able to review…

What does my score mean?

The scoring has been adjusted to these changes accordingly, but the scoring methodology principles remain the same.

The 'Minimum Scope' is being introduced, which means when viewing your SAQ 5.0 results on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform, you will now see two bars on the scoring chart. The top bar will relate to your Minimum Score rating and will provide you with a 'grade' from A to F to indicate how well you have…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the now completed SAQ 5.0 whose answers you wish to look for
3. Select 'View'
4. Scroll further down to view the score you have received for your recent answers



Should you require fur…

Where can I find the SAQ 5.0?

For SAQs in the 'Completed' status you will find the new SAQ 5.0 answers by updating your existing SAQ. If you have not previously completed a questionnaire, you can start the new SAQ 5.0 from the dashboard.

For Completed SAQs your answer sheets will become SAQ 5.0 answer sheets and the displayed scores will be the scores you have achieved with SAQ 4.0. You will however see the letter 'U' before it, which stands for 'Unclassified'. This will only disappear once you update that SAQ, answer the new questi…

If you have an existing SAQ that you wish to update to the SAQ 5.0 version, follow the below steps:

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing, completed questionnaire by searching with location details
3. Once locat…

Where do I upload my Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT)?

You can upload your CMRT template by responding to the SAQ 5.0 at reference 20c.

We have made it easier for you to upload your Conflict Minerals Reporting Template by simply responding to your SAQ 5.0. At reference 20 you are able to declare the 3TG minerals within your products. The Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) is a free, standardized reporting template developed…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Respond to your SAQ 5.0 and progress through the questions by selecting 'Next Question'
3. At reference 20, select the 3TG minerals contained within your products and select 'Next Question'
4. Respond to reference 20a, 20b and at refe…

What is the 'Minimum Scope'?

SAQ 5.0 has been designed to be a modular assessment, where different minimum requirements are defined for different industries. These minimum requirements are referred to as 'Minimum Scope' and they will appear as questions that are mandatory for you to answer.

The SAQ 5.0 questionnaire will display the 'Minimum Scope' questions (i.e. mandatory questions) for the selected industry sector of each supplier. It will also show all the other questions (those outside of the Minimum Scope) which will be optional for suppliers to answer. Even though Suppliers will…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Respond to your SAQ 5.0 and progress to reference '0e'
3. You can select up to two categories that best describe your company's business area
4. At reference '0g' you will be able to view the Minimum Scope questions based on your selec…

How long does the Validation process take?

The validation process will take up to 5 working days and you will be notified via email once the process has been completed.

Validation of SAQ questionnaires is part of the SUPPLIERASSURANCE process. We complete the validation of your SAQ 5.0 within 5 working days of its submission. During this time, you will not be able to modify your responses to the questionnaire. Once this process is complete, you will receive an Emai…

To view if your SAQ 5.0 has been submitted for validation, follow the below steps:

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing SAQ 5.0 by searching with location details
3. View your SAQ 5.0 status
4. Your SAQ 5.0 will…

How can I improve my SAQ 5.0 Rating?

You can improve your SAQ 5.0 rating by following the recommendations generated upon completion of your questionnaire, as well as the 'Declaration Gaps' provided by the validation team.

By ensuring you are responding to at least the Minimum Scope questions positively and covering all policy areas, you are able to continuously improve your results.
In addition, our trained Validation team will also declare gaps of evidence found within your documentation, but that has not been sele…

1. View the received email from the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform, sent to you once your SAQ 5.0 was validated
2. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
3. Locate the SAQ 5.0 you want to improve your score for
4. Select 'Update SAQ 5.0'
5. On the 'Save and view' answers page, edit t…

I am the Assessor - How can I 'lock' my answers?

You are able to 'lock' your answers, once you have updated and completed your SAQ 5.0.

By enabling you to have more control over documents used as evidence in your SAQ declarations for multiple questionnaires within your organization, the answers and evidence you provide by completing the headquarters SAQ 5.0 can be locked once the documents have been approved by the validation team.…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the now completed SAQ 5.0 marked as your headquarters location
3. Select 'View'
4. Scroll further down to view your previously given answers for individual questions
5. Select the arrow poi…

What are 'Declaration Gaps'?

If the Validation Team finds that the evidence you uploaded covers an answer option that was not selected by you then a 'declaration gap' will be raised to support you and make you aware of this.

This change has been introduced to support you when you have underrepresented your evidence and missed an opportunity to secure extra marks within the SAQ 5.0.
To receive the marks for the originally unticked answers, you will need to take action and update your SAQ based on the received 'declaratio…

To view your 'Declaration gaps', follow the below steps:

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing SAQ 5.0 by searching with location details
3. Select 'View' and you will be taken to the SAQ results/answer page
4.…

Is it mandatory for me to complete the SAQ 5.0?

For some customers, completing the SAQ 5.0 is a mandatory request for any existing or future relationships. If you have received an invitation, it is because one of your customers would like you to complete the SAQ 5.0 or share an existing SAQ 5.0 that you or someone from your organization has alrea…

By responding and completing the request your customer invited you for, you demonstrate your commitment to your customer and to their sustainability program and can therefore enhance your reputation within the customer organization. This request may also be a mandatory requirement as part of the cus…

SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' located underneath the 'Get started' link on the Dashboard
3. Enter the invitation code that you have received
4. Continue responding to your SAQ 5.0 and submit this for validation


Should you require further assistance, please do not…

How can I 'Unlock' my HQ template answer?

You can 'Unlock' your selected answers by selecting 'Unlock HQ template answer'.

By 'Unlocking' your answers, you are allowing these set questions to be answered by users in a different manner. By enabling you to have more control over documents used as evidence in your SAQ declarations for multiple questionnaires within your organization, the answers and evidence you provide b…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the now completed SAQ 5.0 whose answers you wish to 'unlock'
3. Select 'View'
4. Scroll further down to view your previously given answers for individual questions
5. Select the arrow point…

Where do I upload my Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT)?

You can upload your EMRT template by responding to the SAQ 5.0 at reference 20d.

The Extended Minerals Reporting Template (EMRT) is a free, standardized reporting template developed by the Responsible Minerals Initiative to identify pinch points and collect due diligence information in the cobalt and mica supply chains. This is a new release that was formally launched on October…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Respond to your SAQ 5.0 and progress through the questions by selecting 'Next Question'
3. At reference 20, select 'Cobalt' if this is contained within your products and select 'Next Question'
4. Respond to reference 20a, 20b, 20c and…

Why has my SAQ got a 'U' score?

The 'U' stands for 'Unclassified' and displays the score you have achieved for the SAQ 4.0.

For Completed SAQs your answers will become SAQ 5.0 answers and the displayed scores will be the scores you have achieved with SAQ 4.0. You will however see a letter 'U' before it, which stands for 'Unclassified'. This will only disappear once you update that SAQ, answer the new questions and expand…

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing, completed questionnaire by searching with location details
3. Once located, select 'Update SAQ 5.0'
4. All your previous answers will be saved and you will be able to revie…

Why can I not edit some questions?

Some questions may have been locked by the Assessor who is the owner of the headquarters SAQ template.

By enabling organizations to have more control over documents used as evidence in their SAQ declarations for multiple questionnaires within their organization, the answers and evidence provided by completing one SAQ 5.0 have been locked by the Assessor. The documents have been approved by the valida…

To respond to your SAQ 5.0 using the 'locked' suggestions, follow the below steps:

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Respond to your SAQ 5.0 and progress through the questions by selecting 'Next Question'
3. You will be able to see the locked answers as a 'read-only'…

What are 'Gaps'?

One or more 'Gaps' may be raised by the Validating team if one or more pieces of evidence you have provided do not meet the criteria. For every Gap you may receive, a reason for rejection will be provided to support you with what is missing or requires to be amended.

An email will be sent to you directly as soon as the Validation Process has been completed. You will be asked to check your SAQ 5.0 response and are able to change the evidence or the answer for the question(s). If you would like to review the SAQ guidance and acceptable evidence, you will be able t…

To view your 'Gaps', follow the below steps:

1. Sign in to your account on the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform
2. Use the search box in your dashboard to locate the existing SAQ 5.0 by searching with location details
3. Select 'View' and you will be taken to the SAQ results/answer page
4. Scroll further…