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For today’s product stewardship professionals, the mandate for product compliance and sustainability has evolved. Ensuring compliance is no longer enough. Various stakeholders — from customers to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to investors — now also expect products that are safe, ethically sourced, and environmentally responsible. A robust supply chain sustainability program is the key to meeting these changing expectations.

The Hidden Footprint of Your Products

While your own operations can be straightforward, most environmental and social risks are buried deep in your supply chain. In fact, research shows that up to 90% of a manufacturer’s environmental impact stems from its supply chain, not its direct operations. From conflict minerals sourcing to a supplier’s carbon emissions, hidden risks can compromise product integrity and brand trust. A supply chain sustainability program helps you uncover and manage these risks, supporting long-term compliance, sustainability disclosures, and business continuity.

Don’t Fall Into the “Checkbox Compliance” Trap

Many companies fall into the trap of “checkbox compliance,” where they react to regulations rather than build proactive, data-driven programs. Supply chain sustainability goes deeper to create a resilient framework that aligns product compliance with due diligence requirements like ethical sourcing, labor rights, and environmental stewardship to prepare your company for evolving regulations and requirements before compliance requirements go into effect. Here’s how to get ready.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Sustainable Supply Chain Program

Creating a robust program doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with these foundational steps:

1. Define Clear Goals Aligned With Business Priorities
Identify what matters most to your organization, customers, and investors. Choose two or three sustainability metrics you can begin measuring today, such as GHG emissions or forced labor indicators. Start small with metrics that create business value.

2. Document & Align Internal Processes
Build a clear policy framework, including a supplier code of conduct, material specifications, and data collection expectations. This documentation not only guides internal teams and suppliers but can also be used to show due diligence if you’re audited.

3. Engage Suppliers as Partners
Your supply chain sustainability program depends on supplier engagement. Avoid overloading them with inconsistent data requests. Instead, request standardized templates like the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) or IPC-157X where available. Help suppliers understand why the data matters, not just what you need.

4. Monitor & Adapt to Change
Sustainability is a journey with no destination. Your obligations will evolve as new requirements emerge. Build a cross-functional change management process to stay ahead of regulatory updates and supplier risks so you aren’t scrambling to comply when new requirements show up.

5. Automate Where Possible
Manual data collection is resource-intensive, but digital solutions can deliver the time and cost savings you need. You’ll centralize data, automate supplier outreach, and validate information faster so you can reduce overhead while improving data accuracy.

Take the Next Step

Product stewardship depends on sustained visibility into supplier materials and operations. It protects your business from disruption and future-proofs your compliance program. Whether you’re just getting started or expanding your capabilities, now is the time to put a proactive program in place. Visit the Assent website to learn how you can build a program that drives compliance, resilience, and growth.