The SAQ 5.0 (self-assessment questionnaire) is an important tool for ensuring compliance and sustainability in the supply chain. Companies are increasingly being asked to provide evidence of their social and environmental standards. The questionnaire, which is widely used in the automotive industry, ensures that suppliers meet the industry’s growing demands. Below, we provide an overview of the most important changes in version 5.0 and offer you comprehensive SAQ 5.0 consulting to help your company prepare for the requirements.

Version 5.0 of the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) is the latest update of a tool developed by Drive Sustainability for the automotive industry to screen suppliers for social, environmental and human rights risks. SAQ 5.0 ensures that companies maintain the highest standards along the entire supply chain. This new version includes more stringent requirements in the areas of environmental and social responsibility and relies more heavily on the documentation of measures to fulfil legal requirements, such as those prescribed in the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).

The Drive Sustainability partners require their suppliers to participate in the SAQ 5.0 in order to ensure sustainable business operations. Achieving an S-Rating is a new benchmark for supplier approval and is also crucial for new projects.

Only companies that demonstrably pursue sustainability goals will be accepted as suppliers by automotive manufacturers. Most OEMs require their suppliers to achieve a significantly higher rating than the minimum score, in some cases over 80%.

A supplier can achieve a high score in the questionnaire if they comply with applicable laws and have implemented sustainable business practices.

After the invitation and the supplier’s subsequent request for an SAQ 5.0 rating, the supplier uploads the required information and documents to the SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform of NQC Ltd.

The evidence must meet the criteria set for each question and substantiate the answers the supplier has chosen. The SUPPLIERASSURANCE team reviews the documents to ensure that the evidence meets the criteria. Based on the answers and evidence, the supplier receives a score between 0 and 100, indicating the company’s sustainability performance at the site compared to automotive industry standards.

Whether a supplier achieves a high score depends on how well they fulfil the sustainability criteria, e.g. through internal guidelines, management systems (e.g. on human rights or occupational safety), certifications and a sustainability report.

The principles of SAQ 5.0 are based on an advanced management concept that guides companies to take proactive action in the area of sustainability. Companies are expected to formulate clear, binding goals for creating a sustainable and climate-friendly supply chain that makes a decisive contribution to achieving carbon neutrality. At the heart of this is the implementation of a tailored sustainability management system that is effective along the entire value chain of the automotive industry.

This system integrates both environmental and social sustainability goals directly into the companies’ business model and enables continuous monitoring and improvement of processes and guidelines to ensure compliance with these goals.

Suppliers and potential suppliers are obliged to align their corporate governance and all operational processes with the principles of SAQ 5.0. This requires a comprehensive adaptation to the sustainability management system along the value chain in order to meet the standards of the automotive industry. This systematic approach is intended to ensure that all actors in the supply chain contribute to sustainable and socially responsible corporate practice.

In addition, there is a stronger focus on the transparency of supply chains in order to identify and address risks such as human rights violations, environmental pollution or inadequate labour standards at an early stage. This not only promotes greater competitiveness among companies, but also better adaptation to global regulatory requirements and societal expectations.

SAQ 5.0 contains numerous updates that primarily respond to the more stringent requirements of the automotive industry and EU legislation. The most important changes include:

1. Extended environmental specifications: There is increased focus on CO₂ emissions and the use of renewable energies in production.
2. Stronger focus on human rights: New guidelines require companies to document in detail how they prevent human rights violations along the supply chain.
3. Commitment to transparency: The questionnaire requires more detailed evidence of compliance measures, particularly with regard to working conditions and safety.

Accomplie’s SAQ 5.0 consulting helps companies to efficiently meet the complex requirements of the new questionnaire. The main areas of focus of the consulting include support in preparing the self-disclosure, implementing new processes and ensuring that all relevant data and documents are available in good time.

This is how we support your company:

• Know-how: We are fully familiar with the requirements of SAQ 5.0, know what is expected of companies and how the requirements can be implemented quickly and efficiently.
• Precise response to SAQ 5.0: We optimise the process and ensure that your information reflects your company’s actual efforts in the areas of compliance and sustainability. We also help you to avoid gaps in your documentation.

Targeted SAQ 5.0 consulting can make all the difference when it comes to successfully implementing the new requirements. We support you in efficiently gathering all the necessary data and evidence and in adapting your operational procedures accordingly. This has several advantages:

• Time savings: Delays are avoided through structured processes.
• Risk minimisation: Companies protect themselves and avoid possible sanctions.
• Competitive advantage: By meeting the requirements early, your company remains competitive in the automotive industry.

The introduction of SAQ 5.0 presents companies with new challenges, particularly in the area of social and ecological responsibility. With professional SAQ 5.0 consulting, companies can ensure that they meet all requirements on time and optimise their compliance measures. By preparing early and thoroughly, you can strengthen your position as a reliable partner in the automotive industry.