Small Producers Assessment: The audit solution for small suppliers

Did you know that within the amfori BSCI system, one of the key steps in the ESG due diligence journey is verification? amfori members are encouraged to ensure that suppliers meet their social responsibility standards. While most verification activities are carried out through manufacturing audits, there is a powerful, underused audit alternative designed specifically for micro and small enterprises: the Small Producer Assessment (SPA).

In 2024, more than 40,000 amfori BSCI audits were conducted. Most of these were manufacturing audits. Yet, many companies work with suppliers that operate on a much smaller scale. In 2024, one-third of the amfori BSCI manufacturing audits were eligible for the SPA. Applying the same audit framework to them can be costly, complex, and difficult. That’s where the SPA comes in.

The Small Producer Assessment is an easier and more cost-effective audit solution for small suppliers with:

• Fewer than 35 workers (permanent and temporary combined),
• An annual turnover of 2 million EUR or less,
• A focus on manufacturing or processing (excluding farms), and
• independent business unit (must not be a branch or part of a group).

It allows small producers to show responsible business practices at the scale of their operations. It does this without compromising on quality, credibility, or alignment with the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct.

amfori members look for solutions to easily map their ESG risks across their supply chains. The SPA helps verify small suppliers’ social performance practically. It ensures that even the smallest player takes in the risk management process and can actively contribute to a more ethical and transparent supply chain.

• Semi-announced by default
• Covers 13 Performance areas from the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct
• Uses the same audit cycle, rating, and continuous improvement model as other amfori BSCI audits
• The auditor’s perspective adapts to the specific realities of small suppliers
• Fully subject to the amfori audit assurance programme

One of the strengths of the SPA is its flexibility over time. If a supplier grows beyond the small producer threshold during an audit cycle, the amfori BSCI system accommodates this change without losing track of progress. Similarly, if a supplier is eligible for an SPA after having a full audit, the amfori BSCI system can adjust accordingly. This flexibility ensures that the audit process remains fair and effective, without creating extra burdens or gaps in oversight.

Especially, this is relevant after the recent improvements to the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). The updated version helps suppliers find gaps and build awareness. The SPA can be the next step for small producers to assess their efforts through on-site evaluation.

Choosing a SPA does not mean compromising on the verification step. It means applying it intelligently. Small producers are brought into the ESG conversation in a way that works for them. SPA fosters continuous improvement, reinforces responsibility at every level, and strengthens ESG due diligence across the supply chain.

Read more on how to assess a small producer in Guide 12 from the amfori BSCI System Manual

In a system where the vast majority of audits still target large-scale manufacturers, the SPA is a reminder that every producer counts, no matter their size.

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