How is the SAQ 5.0 scored and rated?

SAQ 5.0 results show two main indicators: a 'SAQ Rating' (Rating A-F) based on mandatory questions for your industry and headcount size, and a 'Sustainability Score' percentage reflecting performance across all mandatory answered questions.

Background

The SAQ 5.0 rating reflects how well you meet the essential sustainability requirements for your specific industry sector.
SAQ Rating:
A: 100% (Green)
B: 80% - 99% (Green)
C: 60% - 79% (Amber)
D: 40% - 59% (Amber)
E: 20% - 39% (Red)
F: Below 20% (Red)
Sustainability Score: This percentage shows your overall performance, including mandatory questions you answered, similar to previous SAQ versions.

Steps

To view your scoring results in detail:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the completed questionnaire that you want to view the rating for on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the questionnaire tile to go to the questionnaire overview page.
4. On the 'Overview' screen, you will see your SAQ 5.0 rating as well as a breakdown chart showing your rating for each sustainability section within the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire.
5. If a customer has set a minimum requirement that your current SAQ 5.0 response does not yet meet, this will appear as an 'Outstanding minimum requirement' on this page.
6. To update your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response-either to improve your rating or to meet your customer's minimum requirement-select the 'Update' button on questionnaire tile.

How do I access or start the SAQ 5.0 questionnaire?

If you have completed an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire, you can view and update it, at any time. If you have been asked to complete a SAQ 5.0 questionnaire by a customer, you should use the invitation code that was included in the email about the customer request. Alternatively, you can complete an SAQ 5.0 questionnaire and obtain an SAQ Rating, without waiting to be invited, at any time.

Background

When SAQ 5.0 was launched, existing completed SAQs (like SAQ 4.0) were transitioned. Their scores were kept but marked with a 'U' for 'Unclassified'. To get an official SAQ 5.0 rating, you must 'Update' the questionnaire, review previous answers, and respond to the new/changed questions.

Steps

To view a questionnaire that you have already completed

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the completed questionnaire on your dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. If you want to update a previously completed questionnaire, select the 'Update' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. Progress through the questionnaire and edit the answers that you want to change.
5. Once you have made all the updates needed, make sure you send your SAQ 5.0 questionnaire response for validation in order to receive an updated SAQ Rating.

To start a new questionnaire using an invitation code

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Select 'Enter invitation code' on the top right side of your Dashboard.
3. Choose the option to 'Enter invitation code'.
4. Enter the invitation code that is in the email request from your customer.
5. Select 'Share' to complete the action.
6. Complete the questionnaire and send for validation.

What's changed in SAQ 5.0?

SAQ 5.0 introduces a more flexible and modular assessment structure, designed to ensure the questionnaire remains relevant and proportionate for suppliers of all sizes, sectors, and operating models. Question sets are now tailored based on site headcount and primary industry sector, with a clear distinction between mandatory and optional questions.

Background

The Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ 5.0) has been enhanced to better support modern, global supply chains. The updated structure focuses more closely on the specific characteristics of each supplier, helping to reduce unnecessary complexity-particularly for non-production and service-based organizations-while maintaining robust sustainability coverage.

Under SAQ 5.0:

- Mandatory questions contribute directly to the overall SAQ 5.0 rating.
- Optional questions provide additional insight but do not impact the rating.

This approach ensures suppliers are assessed fairly and consistently, while buyers continue to receive meaningful and comparable sustainability data across their supply chains.

To support users, NQC provides briefing sessions and supporting materials that explain the SAQ 5.0 structure, scoring approach, and how industry sector (NACE®) and site headcount influence question routing and scoring-particularly when updating an existing SAQ.

Steps

To access SAQ 5.0 webinar recordings:

Select the relevant language below to register for and view the SAQ 5.0 briefing webinar:

• English
• Deutsch
• Français
• Italiano
• Português
• Español
• 日本語
• 中文

The webinar explains the SAQ 5.0 structure, scoring approach, and practical completion guidance.

To access SAQ 5.0 briefing slides and supporting materials:

Select the relevant language below to download the SAQ 5.0 briefing slides:

• English
• Deutsch
• Français
• Italiano
• Português
• Español
• 日本語
• 中文

The slides explain how NACE® industry codes and site headcount influence question routing within SAQ 5.0, and how updates to your responses may impact your overall SAQ 5.0 rating.

How can I share my completed questionnaire with a customer?

You can share your questionnaire in response to a customer's share request or by using an invitation code. If you want to proactively share an SAQ with customers without an invitation, you must first upgrade to 'Share unlimited'.

Background

The NQC platform allows you to securely share your questionnaire data with customers.

If a customer has requested access, you can respond to their share request or use the invitation code they have provided.

If you want to proactively share an SAQ without an invitation, you must take ownership of the questionnaire by making a one-time payment to upgrade to 'Share unlimited'. This allows you to proactively share the questionnaire with unlimited buyers for the next 12 months.

Steps

To share a questionnaire with a customer

Share using a customer request:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the questionnaire on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the 'Share' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. Review the customer's share request under 'Request summary'.
5. Select the customer you want to share with.
6. Select 'Share now' to complete the action.

Share using an invitation code:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the questionnaire on your Dashboard (use filters and search if needed).
3. Select the 'Share' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. Select 'Share using invitation code'.
5. Enter the invitation code provided by your customer.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the share.

Proactively share an SAQ without an invitation:

1. Sign in to your NQC account.
2. Find the SAQ you want to share on your Dashboard.
3. Select the 'Share' button on the questionnaire tile.
4. If you have not already upgraded, select 'Upgrade now'.
5. Complete the one-time payment to upgrade to 'Share unlimited'.
6. Return to the Share screen and select 'Share unlimited'.
7. Choose the customer you want to share the questionnaire with and complete the share.

How do I become a customer?

If your organization wants to use NQC to run supply chain due diligence and invite suppliers to complete questionnaires, you'll need to register for a Buyer Account. Please email us at sales@nqc.com to get you setup.

Background

Buyer Accounts provide access to tools for managing risk, monitoring supplier performance, generating analytics, and issuing Questionnaire requests.
Supplier accounts are free and allow suppliers to respond - buyer accounts provide the features needed to run the due-diligence process.

Steps

To become a customer (Buyer Account), please email us at sales@nqc.com