AFi self-assessment tool

Step 1: Define the assessment scope 

Users should specify two elements related to scope: 

1. The commodities and/or supply chains covered in your company’s existing policies. The AFi strongly encourages companies to set and implement policies that cover the full scope of company production and sourcing. However, if this is not the case, then it is important to indicate the scope of the company’s policies so that that there is no ambiguity in how the assessment is carried out and how the results should be interpreted and applied. 

1. The scope of the assessment, if this is different from the scope of company policies. For example, a company might have policies that cover both palm oil and soy sourcing yet may choose to focus a self-assessment exercise only on its soy supply chain.  

In specifying the scope, indicate the commodities, product origins, company functions and business units, or other components of the company’s business that are to be included in and excluded from the assessment.  

Step 2: Assess alignment and identify gaps 

The next step is to benchmark your company against each element of the Accountability Framework. The self-assessment tool includes columns to list your company’s existing policies, practices, or other information that corresponds with the given Framework element; specify the degree of alignment; and provide an explanation of any identified gaps.  

The assessment tool is organized according to the seven company action areas that the Framework addresses: 

• Set goals 

• Establish company systems 

• Manage supply chains (for commodity buyers) 

• Manage production (for producers and processors) 

• Collaborate to drive improvement at the landscape or sectoral level  

• Monitor and verify 

• Report progress 

Step 3: Develop an action plan 

Once the assessment is completed, the results should be used to define and prioritise actions for closing any gaps identified in the assessment. The tool includes an action plan template, which provides links to resources that companies can use to support implementation and address gaps.  

For a detailed orientation to using the self-assessment tool, watch the training module about this tool the AFi's forthcoming e-learning platform.

The purpose of the self-assessment is to support a company’s own understanding of its alignment with the Accountability Framework so that it can identify and prioritise actions to achieve ethical supply chains. As such, companies are invited to conduct their own self-assessment. However, many companies have found service providers to be helpful in conducting an objective assessment and providing technical assistance to address gaps.  

Find a delivery partner with expertise in supporting companies to conduct an assessment and apply the Accountability Framework or contact the AFi team directly for individualised support

No. The tool is designed to provide a systems-level assessment of a company’s policies and practices for achieving ethical supply chains. It is not an assessment of progress towards meeting specific supply chain goals or performance thresholds. For more information on progress monitoring and reporting, please see Core Principle 11 (Monitoring and verification) and Core Principle 12 (Reporting, disclosure, and claims) and their corresponding Operational Guidance documents.

Users may choose whether to conduct the assessment on a strictly internal (confidential) basis or whether to share the assessment results with stakeholders or business partners to increase transparency or inform discussions about possible solutions to supply chain challenges.

The AFi is not an assessment or reporting initiative and does not expect to receive a copy of assessment results. However, the AFi welcomes feedback about the assessment tool and the Framework itself based on companies’ experience applying it.

No, that is not recommended. To facilitate practical assessment, this tool provides an itemised and simplified presentation of the most substantive elements of the Accountability Framework. However, this simplified language does not substitute for the Framework itself, which provides greater specificity and should be the point of reference for conducting assessments. Therefore, it is recommended that before initiating an assessment, users read at least the Core Principles to understand the context and intent of the Accountability Framework elements on each topic and the relationships among them. Once the assessment is underway, users should consult the Operational Guidance [link to access page] and Definitions [link to definitions page] associated with each Core Principle to find additional information as necessary to conduct a sound assessment. All Framework documents can be downloaded here.

No, not necessarily. While most of the Accountability Framework (and the corresponding elements in the assessment tool) applies to all companies, some elements are relevant mainly to companies with specific supply chain roles. Where this is the case, the tool includes applicability notes to identify the type of supply chain actor to which the given elements are most relevant. The types of supply chain actors referenced in these applicability notes include:

• Companies that own, control, or manage commodity production or primary processing operations
• Companies that source material from producers or suppliers

Companies that play multiple roles in the supply chain should assess all elements that are germane to any role that they play. This applies, for instance, to some companies that are vertically integrated and to primary processors that process raw materials both from their own plantations and from other nearby producers.

The applicability notes are a general guideline. It is up to the user to determine which elements apply to the company being assessed. If an element is determined not to apply, it should be noted as ‘not applicable’ (N/A) along with an explanation for this determination. This will help contribute to a clear and thorough assessment.

This tool is designed primarily to support companies to conduct internal assessments and develop improvement processes. However, information collected or used to conduct the assessment (such as company policy documents, codes, procedures, contracts, systems, or reports) may also help substantiate external-facing communications about the degree to which the company’s policies and practices align with the Accountability Framework. Any communications or claims regarding alignment with the Accountability Framework must adhere to the AFi Policy on Communications and Claims.