Supply chain mapping

Supply chain mapping is becoming increasingly relevant for organizations managing an extensive supplier base while striving for supply chain sustainability and ensuring required due diligence. As a first step, a self-assessment provides the basis for further transparency. The results of this evaluation are combined with structural master data for supply chain mapping. This process brings significant sustainability benefits, for example:

• Social responsibility within supply chains: By assessing labor practices and potential regional and industry-specific risks, businesses can tackle social sustainability issues. This helps ensure fair working conditions and compliance with human rights standards, for example – fostering a culture of ethical sourcing and responsible business practices.
• Reduced environmental impact: By tracking material and product flows and the regions in which they are produced, businesses can identify opportunities to optimize transportation, reduce carbon emissions and prioritize environmentally friendly measures.
• Development of circular economies: Understanding material and product life cycles helps businesses reduce waste, recycle and optimize resources. They can use these insights to improve product design, material sourcing and end-of-life management, encouraging the transition to more sustainable production and consumption patterns.

When implementing supply chain mapping, collaboration with suppliers is necessary to obtain accurate data, and a commitment to transparency is essential. Establishing clear guidelines, fostering trust, and incentivizing data sharing are keys to successful implementation. Additional information sources need to be considered to verify self-assessment insights. The use of technology and digital tools can simplify the process and ensure data accuracy.