Streamline ESG Data Collection with the SAQ_1

SAQ

Streamline ESG data collection with the SAQ

The Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), created by Drive Sustainability and delivered through the NQC SUPPLIERASSURANCE platform, is the globally recognised standard for assessing supplier sustainability performance. It enables buyers and suppliers to address ESG requirements through one consistent, scalable approach, reducing duplication and building transparency across global supply chains.

Speak to an expert

Why a standardised supplier sustainability assessment matters

Global supply chains face growing demands for transparency on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Without a common approach, buyers rely on fragmented questionnaires and suppliers face duplicative requests that waste time and dilute data quality. The result is inconsistent reporting, limited comparability, and unnecessary friction in buyer–supplier engagement.

The SAQ, developed by Drive Sustainability and delivered through SUPPLIERASSURANCE, addresses these challenges by providing one shared framework. It streamlines ESG data collection, reduces duplication, and establishes a consistent baseline for sustainability performance that buyers and suppliers can trust.

Core capabilities of the SAQ

The Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire sets the global benchmark for supplier ESG assessment. It brings consistency to how buyers evaluate sustainability performance and how suppliers report it, replacing fragmented questionnaires with one structured, scalable framework. With comprehensive coverage and multilingual access, the SAQ enables supply chains worldwide to measure sustainability in a reliable, comparable way.

Globally recognised framework

Adopt the industry standard used by leading automotive and manufacturing companies worldwide. The SAQ provides a single, structured approach to assessing supplier sustainability performance.

Comprehensive ESG coverage

Evaluate supplier performance across environment, human rights, labour practices, and governance in one consistent framework. This gives buyers a complete view and helps suppliers align with growing global requirements.

One form, many customers

Suppliers complete a single SAQ that can be securely shared with multiple buyers, reducing survey fatigue and duplication. This streamlined process increases supplier participation, improves data consistency, and makes ESG reporting more efficient across global supply chains.

Key benefits of the SAQ

Supply chains are vast, regulations are accelerating, and compliance demands cross borders. The SAQ helps organisations stay ahead by delivering standardised ESG insights, fostering stronger collaboration, and building transparency across industries. Buyers gain confidence in their compliance, while suppliers save time and strengthen trust with their customers.

Trusted insights

Buyers gain consistent ESG data they can trust for compliance, reporting, and performance benchmarking across supply chains.

Reduced burden for suppliers

Suppliers avoid duplicative questionnaires, saving time and focusing resources on improving sustainability performance.

Improved collaboration

A shared framework builds trust, strengthens relationships, and increases supplier participation.

Global reach & adoption

With multilingual access and widespread industry use, the SAQ enables participation at scale, supporting transparency across regions and sectors.

High-quality data

Centralised, comparable ESG data reduces inconsistency and improves confidence in decision-making.

Alignment with industry leaders

Suppliers demonstrate commitment by aligning with a framework recognised by global OEMs and leading manufacturers.

Your guide to the sustainability assessment questionnaire (SAQ)

The Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) sets the global standard for supplier ESG assessments. Download the brochure to learn how one shared framework simplifies reporting, reduces duplication, and delivers reliable, comparable insights for buyers and suppliers worldwide.

Get your guide

One integrated solution for supply chain risk & ESG compliance

Powered by NQC, SUPPLIERASSURANCE is an integrated platform that delivers the full cycle of supply chain due diligence. While most platforms stop at AI mapping, it goes further by combining supplier-led traceability, independent verification, and corrective action tracking, fully aligned with the OECD framework of Identification, Assessment, and Mitigation.

MINE^AI

AI-powered supply chain risk detection and predictive analytics.

Explore MINE^AI

MAP

Multi-tier supply chain visibility and supplier mapping.

Explore MAP

SURVEIL

Continuous supplier risk monitoring and ESG tracking.

Explore SURVEIL

ASSURE

Trusted supplier audits, compliance checks, and corrective action support.

Explore ASSURE

Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

Global standard for supplier sustainability and responsible sourcing.

Explore the SAQ

Due Diligence Reporting Template (DDRT)

Standardized, defensible reporting to uncover forced labour risks across supply chains.

Explore the DDRT

Let's talk supply chain

Speak with an expert to discuss your compliance challenges, explore best practices, and identify the right approach for your organisation.

Schedule a call with an SAQ expert

“We wanted to make it easier for our suppliers and SUPPLIERASSURANCE delivered. It simplified the process and increased our supplier response rates dramatically.”

Adrien Gropallo

Strategic Purchasing & Value Sustainability Manager/ LEONI

“We wanted to make it easier for our suppliers and SUPPLIERASSURANCE delivered. It simplified the process and increased our supplier response rates dramatically.”

Adrien Gropallo

Strategic Purchasing & Value Sustainability Manager/ LEONI

“We wanted to make it easier for our suppliers and SUPPLIERASSURANCE delivered. It simplified the process and increased our supplier response rates dramatically.”

Adrien Gropallo

Strategic Purchasing & Value Sustainability Manager/ LEONI

Compliance. Simplified.

See more resources

MAP: Gain multi-tier transparency of your supply chains

Guide

MAP

MAP: Gain multi-tier transparency of your supply chains

Achieve multi-tier visibility and transparency across global supply chains.

Guide

SURVEIL

SURVEIL: Surveil suppliers to reveal critical risks

Monitor supplier risks in real time to strengthen compliance and resilience.

Guide

ASSURE

ASSURE: Global supply chain compliance, assured

Conduct targeted due diligence and produce defensible, compliant evidence.

SAQ: Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire

Guide

SAQ

SAQ: Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire

Evaluate ESG performance and drive continuous improvement across your supply chain.

Guide

DDRT

DDRT: Meeting DDRT requirements with Assurance

Meet OEM expectations with consistent, defensible due diligence reporting.

Streamline ESG data collection with the SAQ

Why a standardised supplier sustainability assessment matters