Erudus Update: Erudus ESG survey for Manufacturers

Here at Erudus we’re always monitoring any new industry measures that might affect our users and how we can help them in ensuring these measures are met with maximum success and minimum disruption to their business. With that in mind, we’d like to present the new Erudus ESG survey for Manufacturers…

What is the Erudus ESG survey for Manufacturers?

The Erudus ESG survey for Manufacturers is our solution to helping our Manufacturer users communicate compliance with ESG - we’ve identified that for suppliers, responding to these kinds of audits can be administratively intensive and in a bid to reduce time spent answering multiple surveys of similar questions, going forward Erudus Wholesalers will be able to review a standardised ESG survey across all of their suppliers within Erudus.

What is ESG?

ESG is the acronym for environmental, social and governance - and the term was first popularised in a 2004 report undertaken by various financial institutions at the invitation of the United Nations (UN), but is now widely seen as the umbrella terms for “a set of aspects, including environmental issues, social issues and corporate governance that can be considered in investing.”

Why are Erudus introducing the ESG survey for Manufacturers?

We have introduced the ESG survey for the same reason that Erudus exists - to streamline the communication of information through the supply chain in the UK and make life easier for our users.

We are already doing this with technical product data, accreditations, images and now we want to centralise metrics for sustainability and ethical practices for suppliers so that Manufacturers can enter this information in one place, once and make it available to their customers without needing to respond to multiple individual requests for this data.

How do I access and complete the ESG survey on Erudus?

On the manufacturer dashboard there will be a new section labelled “ESG”. Here, a manufacturer user can complete and submit the ESG survey. Once completed, the responses submitted will be available for review by all of the wholesalers that manufacturer does business with.

How long will it take to complete the ESG survey on Erudus?

The survey is composed of mostly yes/no questions, and so provided you are familiar with your internal ESG practices it won’t take very long to complete - around 15 minutes.

What questions are in the Erudus ESG survey for Manufacturers?

The questions on the Erudus survey are broken down into the ESG headings, and you can find the questions below, defined by category:

Environmental

• Do you have policies in place to reduce your total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1, 2, 3)?
• Are you operating in line with national climate targets (net zero by 2050)?
• Do you have policies in place to decarbonise the business (reduction of fossil fuels, investment in renewables)?
• Do you have policies in place to reduce your water consumption intensity?
• Do you have policies in place to reduce your water pollution?
• Do you have policies in place outlining a commitment to reducing your non-recyclable waste?
• Do you measure the areas impacted by soil degradation as a result of your business?
• Do you measure the impact your business has on biodiversity in the region?
• Do you have policies in place to support a thriving ecosystem and surrounding environment?
• Are you committed to no deforestation for directly sourced deforestation linked commodities by 2025 and guaranteeing a supply in line with this commitment?
• Are you requiring 100% of palm oil used as a direct ingredient in food to be third-party certified sustainably sourced?
• Are you Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) ready?

Social

• Do you promote positive relations within the local community (supplying local businesses, training and employing locals, supplying into the local public sector)?
• Do you have diversity and inclusion policies in place?
• Do you have an employee health and safety policy in place?
• Do you have a human rights policy in place?
• Are you in compliance with UK labour standards (minimum wage, minimum age, maximum hours, minimum holiday, sick leave)?
• Do you have parental leave?
• Do your employees have the freedom of association and the right to unionise?
• Do you have an employee benefits package in place?
• Do you work philanthropically with the community (charity scheme, investing into the local community, investing into employees)

Governance

• Are you committed to having board independence and diversity?
• Do you have an anti-corruption policy in place and ensure ethical business conduct?
• Do you conduct regular audits and risk management practices?
• Do you ensure you are operating in compliance with national regulations?
• Do you conduct transparency of reporting?
• Do you ensure that the board is transparent in how it operates?

What is the benefit of filling out the ESG survey on Erudus?

Answering this one survey via the Erudus platforma negates the need for Manufacturers to respond to multiple different surveys with similar questions from their Wholesale customers - who may simply access this one instead.

Got questions?

The Erudus Support Team is always on hand to answer any questions or concerns you have about our updates and features. Get in touch with them via support@erudus.com or on 0333 121 89 99.