unilever

URSA – Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit

URSA (Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit) is a framework developed by Unilever to assess supplier practices across various critical areas beyond industry-accepted protocols. By encompassing a wide range of criteria, URSA aims to ensure that suppliers not only comply with applicable laws and regulations but also meet Unilever’s stringent standards for responsible sourcing.

URSA standard
    URSA – Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit

    What is URSA?

    Responsible sourcing audits are an essential tool used by companies to assess and verify the compliance of their suppliers with established standards, regulations, and commitments related to responsible sourcing practice. These audits aim to ensure that suppliers adhere to ethical labor practices, environmental sustainability criteria, and other relevant requirements throughout the supply chain.

    Unilever has appointed Control Union, among other auditing companies, as one of its preferred partners to conduct responsible sourcing audits. Control Union is an independent third-party auditing firm with expertise in assessing compliance with responsible sourcing standards and requirements. By partnering with Control Union and other auditing companies, Unilever aims to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of its responsible sourcing audit program.

    Undergoing an URSA audit is necessary for suppliers to meet Unilever’s requirements for compliance and to progress along the responsible sourcing ladder to achieve the Good Practice Benchmark. By meeting the criteria outlined in the URSA framework, suppliers demonstrate their commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business practices.

    URSA

    About the standard

    Responsible sourcing audits play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices throughout the supply chain, helping companies mitigate risks, protect their reputation, and contribute to a more sustainable and socially responsible global economy.

    Unilever has been actively working on sustainability initiatives and responsible sourcing practices. One of the key aspects of their approach involves requiring their suppliers to undergo audits to ensure compliance with their standards.

    URSA (Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit) enables an independent assessment of a supplier’s compliance against all applicable laws, regulations, SEDEX – SMETA and the additional elements of URSA check list.

    SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit)

    SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) is a widely recognized social audit methodology designed to help businesses assess their suppliers’ adherence to ethical trading practices, covering labor standards, health and safety, environment, and business ethics. Combining SMETA with additional elements from Unilever’s URSA checklist ensures that suppliers not only meet industry standards but also adhere to Unilever’s specific requirements regarding responsible sourcing.

    URSA – Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit
    URSA – Understanding Responsible Sourcing Audit

    Audit process URSA standard

    Site registration in ARAVO portal

    The first step is to complete site registration in ARAVO. This system serves as a platform for managing supplier information, qualifications, and compliance with Unilever’s standards and requirements.

    Audit request

    Once registered in ARAVO, you can request an URSA audit for your site. This typically involves submitting a formal request through the ARAVO platform, indicating your readiness and willingness to undergo the audit process.

    Preparation for on-site audit

    After requesting the audit, you will need to prepare your site for the on-site inspection. This may include gathering documentation, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations, and coordinating logistics for the audit visit.

    On-site audit

    Once preparations are complete, auditors from Unilever or an approved auditing firm, such as Control Union, will conduct the on-site audit at your facility. During the audit, they will assess compliance with labor standards, health and safety practices, environmental management, business integrity, and other relevant criteria as per the SMETA and URSA requirements. Key Incidents if found are reported immediately to Unilever.

    Audit reporting

    Following the on-site audit, the auditors will compile their findings and observations into a comprehensive audit report. This report will document areas of compliance, non-compliance, observations, and recommendations for improvement.

    Follow-up actions

    If any non-compliance issues are identified during the audit, you will be required to address them through corrective actions. This may involve implementing remedial measures, updating policies and procedures, or providing additional training to employees.

    Verification and certification

    Once corrective actions have been implemented, auditors may conduct follow-up inspections or reviews to verify compliance. Upon successful completion of the audit process and satisfactory compliance with Unilever and SMETA requirements, your site may receive certification or recognition for meeting the Good Practice Benchmark in responsible sourcing.

    How you benefit

    • Control Union is one of Unilever’s preferred auditing companies for conducting responsible sourcing audits of its suppliers Along with our qualified audit team, Control Union will perform audits and inspections of farms, farmer groups, manufacturing units, processors, traders, exporters and logistic units according to the Unilever responsible sourcing guidelines.

    • By working with qualified audit teams from organizations like Control Union, Unilever aims to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainability within its supply chain, ultimately contributing to its broader goals of responsible business practices.

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