Audits

amfori will discontinue system recognition with currently three recognised schemes (SAI / SA8000, Equalitas, GlobalGAP) from 3 February 2026. There will be a grace period until 13 February 2026, following a decision made by the amfori Leadership Team and Board of Directors. amfori recognises members’ needs for credible data for supply chain risk management; hence, instead of relying on uploaded PDF certificates, the focus will be on sharing verified data that is openly accessible. 

System recognition requires a regular and labour-intensive benchmarking process with other schemes, and an in-depth review of the social compliance audit methodology, auditor qualification criteria and audit quality and integrity criteria.  

Moreover, uploading PDF certificates may turn unreliable: documents can be forged, contain human error, and may not reflect the current validity status. This results in data pollution and undermines trust in the credibility of our system. The shift to verified data, in collaboration with our partners, addresses these risks and strengthens confidence in the data available on the amfori Sustainability Platform. 

No. amfori remains neutral towards schemes. It is a member’s decision about which schemes to use to assess and manage supply chain risks based on the company’s own sustainability commitments. 

All eligible certificates that have been uploaded before 13th February 2026 by the RSP holder remain unchanged. Please ensure your amfori audit and risk assessment data is up to date. 

To further support our members, we will introduce two new collaborations at the end of Q1, providing access to verified amfori data openly and transparently, and enabling companies and stakeholders to compare amfori with other systems.  

In the meantime, members are encouraged to keep their amfori audit and risk assessment data fully up to date. Business partners can already upload relevant certificates via the Environmental Risk Assessment and the Social Risk Assessment for risk evaluation purposes only.  

Our commitment to mitigating audit fatigue remains. We will continue to pursue innovative and flexible collaborations to reduce duplication and improve coherence across the industry. Members decide how they identify, mitigate and address supply chain risks based on their own company sustainability commitments.  

Prepare internal processes for the change, continue using amfori audits and risk assessments, and share the update with relevant colleagues. RSP holders can no longer upload PDF reports as system recognition on the platform from 13th February 2026 onwards. Due to technical limitations, the “upload” button will still be visible for the time being, but the upload cannot be executed. 

Keep the amfori audit and risk assessment data up to date. Business partners can upload relevant certificates via the Environmental Risk Assessment and the Social Risk Assessment for risk assessment purposes only. 

For further questions, please contact info@amfori.org 

Our long‑standing monitoring partner ELEVATE has officially changed its name to LRQA. This reflects the company’s global brand alignment and will be implemented across all amfori platforms.

No. This is only a name change.
All audits previously conducted by ELEVATE remain valid, and ongoing processes continue unchanged.

You will now see LRQA instead of ELEVATE in:

• The Planning Information section of audit records
• Assigned Monitoring Partner fields
• Future audit planning and scheduling entries

The General Description of the Audit will not be updated because it is a free‑text field completed by the auditor at the time of the audit and may still reference ELEVATE.

Yes — but only in the structured fields.
All previously submitted audit reports will now display LRQA in structured data fields that reference the monitoring partner.

amfori Insights will also display LRQA wherever the auditing company name appears, including dashboards, filters, and exportable data views.

No.
No updates or re-submissions are required from members or business partners. Everything is being updated automatically across our systems.

This can happen because:

• Auditor-written text within the General Description of the Audit remains unchanged.
• Free‑text fields preserve the original wording for accuracy and traceability.

No.
Audit assignments, scheduling, and auditor availability remain the same. Only the documentation and platform labels are changing.

We are rolling out information through:

• The next amfori Pulse communication (February 2026 edition)
• A temporary disclaimer in the amfori Insights Monitoring Partner Directory
• Internal communication to all staff
• A Freshdesk canned response to ensure consistent support messaging

Members and business partners can contact the amfori Support Team via Freshdesk at info@amfori.org.

Depending on the amfori solutions, the number of questions is different. An amfori BSCI audit consists of eighty-one questions. For an amfori BEPI audit, it depends on the scope, i.e. the number of Environmental Performance Areas included in the audit. In both programmes (amfori BSCI and amfori BEPI), auditors assess compliance based on evidence gathered from site observation, interviews and document reviews. Each question is rated as “Yes”, “No”, “Partial” or “Not applicable”.

For more information on the amfori BSCI audit rating, please refer to the guide on the amfori BSCI audit rating overview.

For more information on the amfori BEPI rating, please refer to the amfori BEPI system Manual Part 2.

No, amfori BSCI audits and amfori BEPI audits are not certifications. As a member-based association, amfori is dedicated to supporting the ESG due diligence efforts of its members with a vision of continuous improvement. Instead of delivering a pass or fail verdict to suppliers, we collaborate with our members to foster improvement and their responsible business practices. Only our members and their suppliers can access and check full audit reports on the amfori Sustainability Platform, ensuring transparency and ongoing progress.

amfori has three solutions that can conduct amfori audits: amfori BSCI, amfori BEPI and amfori QMI.

amfori BSCI

Within amfori BSCI, there are four types of audit activities, with two possible announcements and two distinct types of audits.

Activity type

• Manufacturing audits – One site production with more than 35 workers.
• Small Producers Assessment – One location with less than 35 workers.
• Multi-tier food – Main auditee and farms. Farms and/or next-tier producers are mapped and included in the audit scope.
• Agriculture, large farm food – One or several farms with more than 20 workers.

Announcement type

• Fully unannounced audits
• Semi-announced audits

Audit types

• Full audit
• Follow-up audit

amfori BEPI

Within amfori BEPI, there is one possible announcement and three different types of audits. The activity type is the same for all amfori BEPI audits.

Announcement type: always fully announced.

Audit type: full audit/follow-up audit

Audit scope: full-scope audit (generic data and all 8 EPAs) and focused scope audit (generic data and selected EPAs, including EPA1: Environmental Management System).

amfori QMI

Announcement type: always fully announced

Audit type: full audit/follow-up audit

Audit scope: full-scope audit (generic data and 4 aspects) and focused scope audit (generic data and all 4 aspects, including a bonus section for outstanding performance/best practices)

A full audit is a third-party assessment that initiates the audit cycle. It evaluates a site’s social or environmental performance and identifies potential ESG risks that need to be addressed.

A follow-up audit is focused re-assessment of only the (Environmental) Performance Areas where non-conformities were found in the full audit. Its purpose is to give the auditee an opportunity to demonstrate progress. The auditor will not reassess all (Environmental) Performance Areas —only those with previous findings.

• In amfori BSCI, a follow-up audit is conducted only if the full audit result was below a ‘C’.
• In amfori BEPI, a follow-up audit can be requested for any full audit that has resulted in findings.

Follow-up audits help reduce audit fatigue while promoting continuous improvement.

The duration of an amfori audit depends on several factors and can differ from one production site to another.

The duration of an amfori BSCI audit depends primarily on the size of the workforce and the number of Performance Areas (PAs) with findings (in follow-up audits). It may be extended based on factors such as site complexity, multi-tier structures, or the use of interpreters, with additional time required for report writing and worker interviews.

Detailed information on the duration of amfori BSCI audits can be found in the amfori BSCI System Manual Part 2.

The duration of the amfori BEPI Environmental audit depends on the size of the site, the complexity of production processes, and the number of Environmental Performance Areas (EPAs) included in the audit scope. Additional time may be required for factors like a larger workforce, multiple years of Risk Assessment data, onsite water treatment plants, or the use of hazardous chemicals.

Detailed information on the duration of amfori BSCI audits can be found in the amfori BEPI System Manual Part 2.

The onsite amfori audit includes the following elements:

Here is a short description of each key element of an on-site visit:

1. Opening meeting: The audit begins with a meeting involving management to explain the audit process, scope, methodology, and expectations, and to confirm logistical arrangements.
2. On-site visit: Auditors visit the facility to observe social conditions (amfori BSCI) or environmental infrastructure and practices (amfori BEPI), verifying compliance and identifying visible issues.
3. Document review: Auditors examine relevant records (e.g. HR, payroll, permits, environmental data) to verify compliance with social or environmental standards.
4. Worker interview: Confidential interviews are conducted with a representative sample of workers to gain direct insights into the realities of social conditions (amfori BSCI) or environmental awareness (amfori BEPI).
5. Closing meeting: Auditors present findings, clarify next steps, and may discuss follow-up or corrective actions (amfori BEPI) with site management.

The sequence of on-site audit steps outlined above is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered a definitive or mandatory protocol. The order in which steps are performed may vary depending on the auditor’s auditing techniques, the physical conditions of the audited organisation, or its workflow.

For full context, refer to the official manuals: amfori BSCI System Manual and amfori BEPI System Manual.

amfori does not prescribe who should cover the cost of amfori audits. The financial arrangement is to be agreed upon between the member and the supplier. In practice, different models are observed.

amfori does not prescribe how much amfori audits should cost. The total cost depends on many factors and needs to be checked and discussed with the selected auditing company.

“RSP” stands for responsibility. It refers to the principle of responsibility that an amfori member has when requesting an audit of a supplier’s production site. It is a key concept of the amfori audit process. Taking RSP means taking responsibility for a business partner.

Through the amfori Sustainability Platform, an amfori member must “take the RSP” to become an “RSP holder” and to be able to request an audit. A member can be responsible for several suppliers, while a supplier only has one RSP holder per amfori initiative. A supplier may have one RSP holder for amfori BSCI and a different one for amfori BEPI.

As of early July 2025, suppliers are able to request audits through the amfori Sustainability Platform.

A member willing to request an audit for their linked supplier must first ensure that they hold the so-called “RSP” over this supplier. “RSP” stands for responsibility. It refers to the principle of responsibility that underpins the amfori audit process. Only amfori members can hold the RSP.

By “holding the RSP”, an amfori member takes responsibility for managing a given supplier’s audit cycle and progress. While one member leads the process, the results of an audit and other assessments are made available to all members sourcing from this supplier. This process values transparency and reduces duplication.

For more detailed guidance on how to take the RSP and request amfori audits, please refer to the Guide to the amfori Sustainability Platform for Members.

Note that one supplier may have one RSP for different amfori solutions; for instance, one RSP for amfori BSCI and a different one for amfori BEPI. Also, starting in July 2025, suppliers are able to directly request their own audits via the amfori Sustainability Platform.

The full version of the audit report for a supplier’s site is available on the amfori Sustainability Platform. It can be accessed by the supplier (aka Business partner on the amfori Sustainability Platform), the RSP holder (who requested the audit), but also all amfori members linked to this supplier.

The full report is uploaded on the amfori Sustainability platform within 10 business days after the audit.

The full version of the audit report cannot be downloaded nor shared externally as it contains confidential information.

However, a supplier or a member can access a downloadable PDF version, which is an extract from the full audit report. This PDF extract does not include all information that can be found in the full report. It is only valid as an acknowledgement of the results. Nonetheless, it contains interesting information related to the audit (date, monitoring ID, announcement type etc.), general description, metrics such as worker number, wage information and audit findings.

NB: amfori does not assume any liability with regard to the compliance of PDF extracts, or any versions of the extract, with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation).

A focused-scope audit is a type of audit, available exclusively within amfori BEPI.

Unlike a full-scope audit, which covers all eight Environmental Performance Areas (EPAs), the focused-scope audit targets only specific areas. It includes verification of generic environmental data (e.g. energy production and on-site consumption) as well as selected EPAs chosen by the RSP holder, typically based on Risk Assessment results or a member’s individual sustainability strategy.

This targeted approach makes focused-scope audit shorter, more cost-effective, and more flexible. Unlike full-scope audits, it does not result a single overall score. Instead, it provides partial scores for each EPA that was assessed.

An amfori BEPI full-scope audit can be requested even if the site production does not have a valid Environmental Risk Assessment. However, to be eligible for an amfori BEPI focused-scope audit, the site must have a valid Environmental Risk Assessment, available on the amfori Sustainability Platform.

An amfori BEPI audit is strongly recommended yet not mandatory. In other words, it is not mandatory for the member who hold the “RSP” to request an amfori BEPI audit after the site production completed the Environmental Risk Assessment on the amfori Sustainability Platform.

Yes, amfori works with 13 auditing companies that have been carefully selected for their expertise and the quality of their services. On the amfori website, you can find a list of amfori auditing partners, also known as “monitoring partners” on the amfori Sustainable Platform.

amfori members can consult the “Monitoring Partner Directory” to check the availability of amfori-approved auditing companies. This dashboard can be accessed via amfori Insights and the amfori Sustainability Platform.

amfori BSCI

The amfori BSCI audit cycle takes two years. It starts with a full audit and depending on the grade, a follow-up audit may be required. If the audit grade is below “C” (C, D, or E), the supplier needs to have a follow-up audit between two and twelve months after the full audit. If the audit grade is above “C” (A or B), the supplier will be required to undergo a full audit at the latest in two years. This two-year audit cycle is designed to reduce audit fatigue and ensure continuous improvement. To better understand the auditing approach, refer to the amfori BSCI System Manual part 2.

amfori BEPI

The duration of the cycle may vary depending on:

• The scope
• The overall score obtained by the supplier and
• The follow-up activities

The validity of the Environmental audit is calculated based on the report submission date. The validity of the focused scope Environmental audit is 24 months and neither the score obtained by the supplier nor the follow-up audit can impact the validity of the audit. For a full scope Environmental audit, the length of the cycle and therefore the validity of the audit varies from 12 to 36 months, depending on the overall score and follow-up.

For more information on the amfori BEPI audit validity, please refer to the amfori BEPI System Manual Part 2.

An amfori BSCI audit can be either fully unannounced or semi announced. In the first case, the supplier is not informed about the upcoming social audit. For the second one, the supplier is informed of a time window during which the auditor may visit, but not the exact date of the audit. Since September 2024 onwards, amfori no longer accepts fully announced amfori BSCI audits.

An amfori BEPI audit is always fully announced. This is because environmental audits involve verifying large amounts of documentation regarding on-site energy, water, effluent, waste production and/or consumption  (e.g., invoices, water or energy bills etc.) which needs to be prepared prior to the auditor’s on-site visit.

amfori encourages suppliers to prepare for an amfori audit, and there are many ways to do this. At amfori, we provide voluntary tools to help suppliers familiarise themselves with amfori social and/or environmental audits. Using these voluntary tools, suppliers can take the first steps to identifying and assessing potential and actual ESG risks.

Preparations for an amfori BSCI audit may include the use of the following tools:

• Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)

It helps suppliers to prepare as it mirrors the amfori BSCI audit questionnaire. This has been recently updated. Please, check this members-only article (link) to know more.

• Pre-Qualification Assessment (PAQ)

It helps members identify imminent risks for new suppliers before entering into business.

• Buyer’s Checklist

This one is for commercial visits to a potential or existing supplier.

• Capacity building resources in the amfori Academy

A number of training sessions (both in-person and virtual), but also video tutorials and elearnings are available on the amfori Academy for both amfori members and their suppliers.

To learn more about voluntary preparatory tools, please refer to amfori BSCI System Manual Part 2, amfori BSCI System Manual Part 4 and access the amfori Academy.

Preparations for an amfori BEPI audit may include, i.e.:

• Completing Risk Assessment for amfori BEPI ( that can be requested by any linked member)
• Analysing risk results and addressing potential risks identified before an audit
• Preparing relevant documentation
• Capacity building resources in the amfori Academy (e.g. courses on specific EPAs)

To learn more about how a business partner can prepare for the monitoring, please refer to amfori BEPI System Manual Part 3.

Once the amfori audit is completed, the audited supplier can read and check the audit report available on the amfori Sustainability Platform within 10 days. Then, the audited supplier is required to analyse the report in detail, perform a root cause analysis of the problems identified by the auditor(s) and implement corrective actions or improvements. This process should be performed through the Continuous Improvement feature accessible on the amfori Sustainability Platform.

In the case of amfori BEPI, suppliers may refer to the Corrective Action Plan created during the closing meeting with the support of the auditor.

For detailed information on the Continuous Improvement feature, please refer to Guide to the amfori Sustainability Platform for Members and Guide to the amfori Sustainability Platform for Business Partners.

We maintain consistent audit quality through the Audit Assurance Programme (AAP). We have a vigorous auditor approval process (based on their experience, knowledge and competency), we provide standardised mandatory training sessions and refresher training sessions that have an exam element, provide detailed guidance’s, global and regional annual calibration meetings and rigorous quality control including witness audits, report reviews, spot checks, data analysis and ongoing performance monitoring.