Supplier social & ethical to customized 2nd party protocols
Manage suppliers with a tailored approach to ensure ethical and transparent supply chains.
As global supply chains become more complex and geographically dispersed, there is rising pressure to for companies to ensure ethical behaviours at every level. Legislators, customers, and consumers demand proof of responsible sourcing, respect for human rights, and compliance with labour laws.
Increasing regulations, public scrutiny, and ESG priorities mean that demonstrating ethical and sustainable practices is no longer optional – it is a business imperative. In this environment, social and ethical audits and assessments by an Independent party are essential to build trust, reduce risk, and ensure long-term supply chain resilience.
Tailored social audits to meet your compliance and ESG goals
DNV provides second party supplier audits and assessments tailored to the unique needs of your sector and operating environment. We can also provide third party certification to recognized standards. Whether you are in manufacturing (consumer goods, Electronics, Textiles and garments, Industrial goods) food processing, retail, aquaculture, or general industries, we adapt our audit approach to your context.
We assess compliance with:
- Local and international labour laws.
- Human rights frameworks.
- Customer codes of conduct.
- Industry-specific sustainability and ESG criteria.
Audits can focus on a wide range of areas including:
- Human rights, working hours, and fair labour conditions.
- Health, safety, and worker well-being.
- Environmental practices and community impact.
- Living wages and social protections.
- Anti-discrimination and grievance mechanisms.
- Community engagement and stakeholder relations.
- Responsible sourcing and social protections.
Our audits can follow internationally recognized frameworks such as:
- SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit).
- SA8000.
- Responsible Business Alliance (RBA).
- Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS).
- Conducted according to your own internal protocols.
Whether improving performance and transparency, ensuring compliance to company or regulatory polices, our approach and consistent audit teams provide independent, credible insights that help you manage risk and build trust.
Value of social audits and assessments
When undergoing 2nd party audits and assessments by someone like DNV, you drive improvements in key areas, such as:
- Demonstrate ethical and ESG compliance across all company sites.
- Identify and mitigate social, labour, and human rights risks internally.
- Reduce reputational, legal, and operational risks.
- Improve employee safety, wellbeing, and engagement.
- Streamline auditing and lower costs through multi‑site sampling.
- Strengthen corporate ESG performance and transparency.
- Support global standards such as SMETA, SA8000, RBA, ICS, and ISO.
- Drive continuous improvement and stronger internal governance.
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