The PSCI Audit

Why Collaborate on Audits?

Collectively, PSCI member companies visit or audit thousands of suppliers every year.

Our audit framework is designed to assess a supplier's performance against the PSCI Principles, as well as international standards, agreements, and local regulatory requirements across the areas of Ethics, Labour and Human Rights, Health & Safety, Environment, and Management Systems. Through this methodology and supporting tools, we promote a credible, transparent, and consistent approach to auditing.

Our audit sharing program enables suppliers to share audit results with multiple Members through a web-based platform. This reduces the audit burden on suppliers while delivering efficiency gains for Members. By working collaboratively, we can enable:

Reduced duplication. The program reduces the audit burden on suppliers and members.
Cost and resource savings. Audits require time and investment. Fewer audits mean lower costs and greater efficiency for both suppliers and Members.
Greater visibility of our supply chain, allowing us to see trends and patterns. The data we collect in our audit sharing program feeds directly into our capability building program as we can clearly see which issues suppliers struggle with.
Better identification of areas for improvement as a result.
Continuous improvement. Fewer audits leave more time to focus on improvements.
One industry voice. Common guidelines and a consistent message help drive improvement across the industry.

Taking Part in a PSCI Audit

A clear process has been defined to ensure PSCI Audits are conducted consistently and rigorously. A suite of tools is available to support Members and Suppliers throughout the audit process.

The PSCI has developed industry-specific guidance and tools to help Members and suppliers assess performance, identify risk, and drive continuous improvement.

Key Audit Resources

Supplier categories

For auditing purposes, suppliers are categorized according to their activities:

A: Service providers and suppliers of non-supply chain goods
B: Component and material suppliers
C: Core suppliers and contract manufacturers

For A suppliers, the abbreviated PSCI Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and Audit Report Template are used, as these suppliers typically have less complex operations and requirements, particularly in the areas of health, safety and environment.

For B and C suppliers, the full PSCI SAQ and Audit Report Template should be used due to the complexity of their operations and requirements across all areas.

How to get started

PSCI Audits may be initiated by PSCI members or suppliers. Members will invite a supplier to participate in an audit and provide them with the information they need to get started.

Suppliers can request an audit under the PSCI Audit Framework by asking a Member to sponsor their audit or by nominating themselves to the PSCI Secretariat under the self-paid model.

What's in scope?

PSCI Audits generally consider all or part of the pillars described in the PSCI Principles (i.e. Ethics, Labor & Human Rights, Health & Safety, Environment and Management Systems) and in the PSCI Audit Guidance.

The audit will typically cover a clearly defined supplier location (e.g. a pharmaceutical or chemical production site, a warehouse, an R&D site, or an office building). It covers all internal and external areas of the facility, such as key production areas, laboratories, storage areas, utilities, infrastructure areas, waste handling and storage facilities, waste water treatment units, workshops, security and fire service arrangements, canteens, kitchens, dormitories and office areas.