Understanding BEPI audit: Environmental Due Diligence

amfori is a Germany-based international business association that promotes sustainable, transparent, and responsible supply chains. Under amfori, several due-diligence programmes are developed to help companies manage social and environmental risks within their operations and supply chains.

Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is one of amfori’s environmental due-diligence programmes. It is designed to assess, monitor, and improve the environmental performance of companies and their supply chains, particularly those supplying to the European Union (EU) market.

BEPI was established in 2014 and has since become one of the most widely recognised environmental assessment programmes requested by European buyers. It is important to note that BEPI is not a certification scheme. Companies are not allowed to use any BEPI logo or label on products, as the programme focuses on performance improvement rather than product claims.

BEPI Rating System and Validity

BEPI uses a rating-based system, with assessments conducted by independent third-party audit firms approved by amfori. Audit results are evaluated through amfori’s internal scoring system, and companies are assigned a grade from A to E based on their environmental performance.

Grades A–B

  • Audit validity: 24 months
  • If corrective actions are implemented and a follow-up audit is completed, validity can be extended up to 36 months.

Grades C–E

  • Audit validity: 12 months
  • If corrective actions are implemented and a follow-up audit is completed, validity can be extended up to 18 – 36 months, depends on the improvement grade.

Although companies may choose whether or not to close non-conformities, best practice is to close all findings within 12 months, as most buyers expect continuous improvement.

Validity of different BEPI grade
Validity of BEPI result are varies from 12 months to 36 months (Note: this information only apply to full scope audit only)

What Is Audited Under BEPI?

BEPI assessments are structured around eight Environmental Performance Areas (EPAs):

  1. Environmental Management System

  2. Energy and Climate

  3. Emissions to Air

  4. Water and Effluents

  5. Waste

  6. Biodiversity

  7. Chemicals

  8. Nuisances

EPA 1: Environmental Management System is mandatory for all BEPI audits.
All other EPAs are optional, and companies may select them based on buyer requirements and operational relevance.

In practice, most buyers require suppliers to include EPA 2: Energy and Climate, as this area covers:

  • Energy management and energy audits

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory (Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3)

  • GHG calculation methodology

  • GHG reduction plans

  • Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-related information, where applicable

How to Apply for a BEPI Audit

Step 1: Become an amfori Member

To participate in BEPI, a company must first obtain amfori membership, either:

  • Through an invitation link from an existing amfori member, or

  • By applying directly via the amfori official website

In both cases, the company must provide evidence that it supplies products or services to an amfori member.

amfori membership fees range approximately from EUR 2,900 to EUR 39,150 per year, depending on the company’s annual turnover.

Step 2: Complete Risk Assessment on the amfori Sustainability Platform

Once registered as an amfori business partner, the company gains access to the amfori Sustainability Platform (BEPI platform).

Companies are required to complete a self-assessment questionnaire (risk assessment), which includes:

  • Yes / No questions

  • Numerical data inputs

  • Supporting document uploads 

Examples of required information include:

  • Environmental permits and licences

  • Electricity and fuel consumption records

  • Wastewater treatment and discharge data

  • Waste generation and disposal records

  • GHG emissions data

Step 3: Select a Certification Body and Schedule the Audit

After completing the risk assessment, the company selects a certification body from amfori’s approved list.

It is strongly recommended to contact the certification body first to confirm audit availability before scheduling the audit on the platform, as rescheduling may incur additional fees.

Audit fees are charged directly by the certification body and depend on:

  • Number of employees

  • Number of selected EPAs

  • Number of years submitted in the risk assessment (minimum 1 year, maximum 3 years)

  • Use of hazardous chemicals

  • Complexity of machinery and processes

Audit fees vary by certification body and are not publicly fixed.

How Thinkinbio Can Support Your BEPI Journey

Thinkinbio Consultancy Venture provides end-to-end support for companies preparing for amfori BEPI assessments, especially suppliers targeting EU buyers. Our support includes:

  • BEPI gap assessment to identify readiness level and potential risks
  • EPA scope selection advice based on buyer expectations and business relevance
  • Risk assessment support, including data structuring and document preparation
  • GHG inventory development (Scope 1, 2, and 3) and emissions calculation support
  • Corrective action planning to improve BEPI ratings
  • Audit preparation and mock audits to reduce audit risks
  • Post-audit improvement planning for rating upgrade and extended validity

Our approach focuses not only on audit compliance, but also on practical, data-driven environmental improvement aligned with buyer expectations and ESG trends.

If your company is preparing for a BEPI audit or has received a buyer request related to amfori environmental due diligence, Thinkinbio can help you navigate the process efficiently and confidently.

Want to learn how we can support your goals?

Explore more about our services here.

Let us walk the journey of responsible business with you.

 

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