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ESRS S2: Workers in the Value Chain · 2026-5010-final
Disclosure Requirement S2-3

Actions & Resources

Practical guidance for preparing this disclosure. Use this card to identify datapoints, verify claims and organise supporting evidence. For exact requirements, always refer to the official EFRAG source.

Dr Ross Kurinko, Sustainability Reporting Trainer
Reviewed by Dr Ross Kurinko · Sustainability Reporting Trainer LRA educational guidance · Not issued or endorsed by EFRAG
To prepare this disclosure
Disclosure focus

This disclosure asks an organisation to explain the actions it is taking, or plans to take, to address material impacts, risks and opportunities connected to its own workforce. It is not just a list of policies: the report should show what is being done in practice, what resources are being committed, and how those actions are intended to respond to the issues that matter most for workers.

The practical focus is on whether the organisation’s response is broad enough and targeted enough to be credible. That means looking across the relevant parts of the business, not only at a few well-performing sites or headline initiatives, and showing where actions are being rolled out, where they are still limited, and what resources support delivery.

This LRA educational guidance supports disclosure preparation. For the exact requirements, always refer to the official EFRAG source.

Before you start

A quick mental checklist before you prepare this disclosure — tick each as you settle it.

Preparation

Key datapoints to prepare

Datapoint What to capture Evidence hint Owner
Implemented actions A plain summary of the steps the organisation has put in place, including what was done and at what stage it stands now. Action tracker, project updates, management reports, remediation plans. Sustainability / operations
Supplier engagement A short description of how the organisation has worked with suppliers on the issue, including the main engagement methods used. Supplier communications, meeting notes, procurement records, supplier programme logs. Procurement / supplier management
Audit activity A summary of the checks or reviews carried out, including what was examined and the main outcome of those checks. Audit reports, internal review files, assurance notes, corrective action logs. Internal audit / compliance
Training and support A description of the capability-building provided, such as training, guidance or support, and who received it. Training attendance records, learning materials, workshop logs, HR development records. HR / learning and development
Impact category The kind of effect being addressed, stated in business terms so the reader can see what sort of issue the action relates to. Impact assessment, issue log, case notes, risk register. Sustainability / risk
Response actions A summary of the steps taken in response to the issue, including what the organisation actually did and any follow-up measures. Remediation plan, case management notes, management actions log, correspondence. Sustainability / operations
Influence used A description of the ways the organisation used its relationship with the supplier, including any contract terms or buying power applied. Contract clauses, supplier correspondence, procurement escalation records, commercial review notes. Procurement / legal
Performance measures The key measures used to track supplier performance, including the metric name and the period or basis used to calculate it. KPI dashboard, supplier scorecard, performance reports, management packs. Procurement / supplier performance
Supplier scorecard The supplier’s assessed performance score or rating, including the scoring scale and the period it relates to. Supplier scorecard, performance review pack, procurement system record. Procurement / supplier performance
Audit findings The outcome of the audit work, including the main findings, pass/fail result, or any exceptions noted. Audit report, assurance statement, findings log, corrective action tracker. Internal audit / compliance
Incident count The total number of incidents recorded for the reporting period, using one consistent incident definition and one clear cut-off date. Incident register, case management system, incident log, escalation records. Risk / compliance
Incident types A description of the kinds of incidents recorded, grouped into clear categories that match the incident log. Incident register, case notes, classification guide, investigation summaries. Risk / compliance
Incident severity The severity level assigned to the incidents, using the organisation’s defined scale and the basis used to judge seriousness. Incident register, severity matrix, investigation report, escalation policy. Risk / compliance
+ Show S2-3 sub-elements (LRA working checklist)

How to prepare it

1Set the reporting boundary first: decide which suppliers, sites, contracts, and time period sit inside this disclosure, and keep that scope consistent across the narrative and any figures.
2Translate each required item into your internal data fields: separate the actions you carried out, the supplier engagement work, any audits, capacity-building activity, the type of impact, the response taken, the leverage you used, the performance measures, and the incident details.
3Gather source records before drafting: pull together action logs, supplier communications, audit files, training records, KPI outputs, scorecards, and incident registers so each statement can be traced back to evidence.
4Build the disclosure from the evidence in a clear order: describe what was done, how suppliers were engaged, what audits and capability-building took place, what impacts were identified, what response was used, and what the relevant measures and incident information show.
5Explain any gaps, exclusions, or changes in method: if a data point is not available, if a supplier group is left out, or if a calculation or classification approach changed, state that plainly and keep the explanation aligned to the scope you set.
6Check the final draft against the official source before sign-off: confirm every required item is covered, the wording matches the underlying evidence, the numbers and labels are internally consistent, and nothing has been omitted or overstated.
Request the data

Request supplier action and monitoring evidence

Translate the disclosure into an internal business question — then adapt it to your organisation's own language.

What actions have we taken with suppliers, what leverage did we use, and what evidence shows the follow-up, checks, and incident tracking for the reporting period?

Use your own supplier-management language first, then map it to the disclosure. For example, if your team talks about vendor remediation, corrective actions, scorecards, site checks, or supplier incidents, use those terms in the request and only translate them afterwards for reporting.

Weak request

Please provide the ESRS S2:S2-3 actions and resources data for suppliers, including all required datapoints and evidence.

Why it fails: It uses framework language that many operational teams do not use day to day, so the owner may not know which systems, records, or local terms to pull from. It also does not say what period, category, or source file is needed, so the response is likely to be incomplete or hard to map.

Better request

Please send the supplier action and monitoring pack for [reporting period] for [business area / category]. Include the actions taken, supplier follow-up, audits or checks, training or coaching, any contract or commercial levers used, the scorecard or KPI results, and the incident count with type and severity. Use your team’s own wording and add the source system, extract date, and supporting files so we can map it for reporting.

Formal email template
Subject: Request for supplier action and monitoring evidence for [reporting period]

Dear [name],

We are preparing the sustainability reporting pack and need your help with the supplier-related evidence for [business area / category]. Please share the information below for [reporting period], using your team’s own terms where possible and adding a short note so we can map it for reporting.

Please provide:
- the main supplier actions completed during the period
- any supplier engagement or follow-up activity
- any audits, checks, or reviews carried out
- any training, coaching, or capability-building provided to suppliers
- the main issue types addressed and what was done in response
- the commercial or contractual levers used, if any
- the KPIs, scorecards, audit results, or other performance measures used
- the number of supplier incidents recorded
- the incident types and how each was classified for severity

Please include the source system or file name, the date the extract was taken, and the person who can confirm the data. If you have supporting documents, please attach them or link them.

Please adapt this to your organisation’s own language and check the official source before sign-off.

Kind regards,
[preparer name]
Short Teams / Slack version
Hi [name] — could you send the supplier action / monitoring evidence for [reporting period] for [business area / category]? Please include actions taken, supplier follow-up, audits/checks, training, any levers used, KPI/scorecard or audit results, and the incident count with type and severity. Add the source system, extract date, and any supporting files. Please use your team’s own terms and we’ll map them for reporting. Thanks.
Industry examples
Manufacturing

Context. A plant team manages direct material suppliers and tracks corrective actions after quality or labour-rights issues.

Adapted request. Please share the supplier corrective-action and monitoring file for [reporting period] covering direct material suppliers. Include remediation actions, supplier follow-up, audit findings, training provided to suppliers, contract levers used, quality or compliance scorecards, and any supplier incidents with severity ratings.

Example response. A spreadsheet listing supplier name, issue category, action taken, follow-up date, audit result, scorecard result, incident count, incident type, severity level, and links to the audit report and corrective-action tracker.

Retail / Consumer Goods

Context. A sourcing team oversees private-label suppliers and uses scorecards, site visits, and commercial escalation when issues arise.

Adapted request. Please send the supplier performance and issue-management summary for [reporting period] for private-label suppliers. Include engagement activity, site visits, audits, training sessions, commercial escalation steps, KPI results, supplier scores, and any incidents recorded with type and severity.

Example response. A monthly pack with supplier scorecards, visit notes, audit summaries, training attendance records, escalation log entries, and an incident register with counts and severity classifications.

Draft your disclosure

Notes that turn data into a disclosure

LRA training templates — adapt them to your organisation, and check the official source before sign-off.

Method note

Explain how the company defined each supplier-related measure, what data sources were used, the reporting period covered and any rules used to classify actions, performance measures, audit findings and incidents.

Context note

Set out what the figures show about how the company is working with suppliers, how it is tracking supplier performance and what the incident data indicates about the nature and seriousness of issues identified.

Fluctuation statement

If the numbers moved materially, describe the main operational reasons for the change, such as more supplier engagement, a different audit programme, changes in performance scoring or a shift in the mix or seriousness of incidents.

Content index entry
S2-3 Actions & Resources — [location / page] / [notes]
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Preparation tools & forms

Professional preparation tools for S2-3 — free with an LRA Community membership. Register once (it's free) and every download unlocks, together with the Disclosure Library, templates and the LRA AI-assistant.

Free · Community members
Go deeper · S2-3
Learn to prepare this disclosure end-to-end

This guide covers one Disclosure Requirement. The ESRS / CSRD Reporting course walks the full European workflow — double materiality, datapoints, evidence and assurance — with exercises on your own data.

Available as Guided Flex, Live Cohort, 1:1 Expert Mentorship or Corporate Programme.

Assurance readiness

For each claim, check the evidence

ClaimRiskEvidence to check
We prepared the coverage figure by mapping the disclosed operations and related value-chain activities, then checking that the scope choice was applied consistently across the report.An assurer may test whether the boundary was set selectively, whether exclusions were justified, and whether the same scope was used wherever the figure is discussed.Scope memo; boundary map; list of included and excluded entities/activities; management sign-off; cross-checks showing the same scope was used in linked sections and tables.
We linked the actions on transition-related worker impacts to other sustainability topics so the reader can see how the different subjects connect in practice.An assurer may probe whether the links are real and traceable, or whether the report is presenting separate topics as connected without support.Draft narrative showing the cross-links; internal mapping between topics; source documents for the linked actions; review notes confirming the connections were checked before publication.
We cross-referenced the incident information to the concern channels and the related action sections so the reader can follow the issue from report to response.An assurer may test whether the references actually point to the right places, whether the same incident set is used throughout, and whether any material link was omitted.Hyperlink or page-reference check; incident log; channel records; action tracker; final proof showing the references were tested before issue.
We described the main steps already taken, the steps planned, and the steps still under way to address the negative effects on workers in the supply chain.An assurer may ask whether the actions are complete, whether timing is clear, and whether the wording overstates what has actually started or been delivered.Action plan; project tracker; implementation status updates; approvals for planned versus completed actions; evidence that each action was current at the reporting date.
We set out the key measures and the resources assigned to manage the positive and negative effects, risks, and opportunities linked to workers in the supply chain.An assurer may test whether the resource description is specific enough, whether the measures are truly key, and whether the allocation matches the stated priorities.Budget and staffing records; programme plans; ownership matrix; management papers showing why the measures were selected as key; internal review of resource allocation.
Where business pressure could have limited the response, we documented the leverage we had, any joint action with others, and how we handled those tensions.An assurer may probe whether the company really had leverage, whether collective action was used where needed, and whether commercial pressure was downplayed or ignored.Supplier engagement records; joint initiative documents; escalation notes; decision papers on trade-offs; evidence of how commercial constraints were considered and resolved.

Evidence pack to prepare

Common reporting gaps

Figures are stated without the supporting narrative, or narrative without figures.Scope is inconsistent between the text and the numbers.The reporting boundary is left undefined.Material changes since the previous period are not disclosed.Estimates and measured values are not distinguished.Source records for the figures are not identified.
Common gaps

Mistakes to avoid when collecting the data

Wrong owner
The team asks a policy or reporting contact instead of the people who actually run supplier engagement, audits, training, or incident tracking, so the data comes back incomplete or second-hand.
Framework language only
The request is sent using disclosure labels rather than the organisation’s own operational terms, and the business cannot map the ask cleanly to its records.
Unclear boundary
No one defines which suppliers, sites, contracts, or business units are in scope, so different teams pull different populations and the final set is not comparable.
+ Show 6 more

Where judgement is often needed

Set the reporting perimeter after buy-ins and sell-offs
Use the same cut-off date and consolidation logic across the period, and explain any business units added or removed so readers can see why the action list, supplier work and incident counts changed.
Decide how to handle country-by-country wording differences
Where local labels or legal categories do not line up, map them to one internal description, state the mapping used, and note any places where the local meaning is broader or narrower.
Choose whether borderline suppliers are in or out
If a supplier sits near your operational boundary, apply one consistent rule for inclusion, then disclose that rule and any material exceptions so the scope of actions and checks is understandable.
+ Show 6 more
Examples

Illustrative examples

Synthetic, written by LRA — not from a company report, not text from any standard.

Illustrative (synthetic) example — Apparel manufacturing

We are using a supplier improvement programme to address labour-rights risks in our cut-and-sew and fabric supply base, and this example is synthetic and for illustration only. - We carried out 24 supplier reviews and 18 site audits across 30 direct suppliers; 12 suppliers received corrective-action plans, 9 completed our training on working hours and grievance handling, and 6 were supported through follow-up coaching. - The main issue type was excessive overtime, alongside wage-payment delays and weak worker voice channels; we used contract terms, order-volume discussions, and escalation meetings to secure remediation, and our supplier scorecard averaged 78/100, with audited sites averaging 82/100 on labour controls and 4 audits showing no major findings, 10 with minor findings, and 4 with significant findings. - During the period we recorded 7 incidents, including 4 overtime breaches, 2 wage-delay cases, and 1 retaliation allegation; we classified 2 as high severity, 3 as medium, and 2 as low.

Synthetic illustration only; figures are invented for training and are internally consistent.

Illustrative (synthetic) example — Food processing

We are applying supplier controls to reduce health-and-safety and forced-labour risks in our agricultural inputs and packaging chain, and this example is synthetic and for illustration only. - We completed 16 supplier engagements and 14 audits across 22 suppliers; 8 suppliers were placed on improvement plans, 11 managers and buyer teams received refresher training, and 5 suppliers took part in joint workshops on recruitment practices and site safety. - The main harm types were unsafe working conditions, recruitment-fee exposure, and restricted freedom to leave employment; we relied on purchasing commitments, contract clauses, and escalation with senior supplier contacts, while our supplier performance index averaged 74/100 and audited suppliers averaged 79/100, with 3 audits clean, 8 showing limited issues, and 3 showing material issues. - We logged 5 incidents in total, made up of 2 safety events, 2 recruitment-fee complaints, and 1 passport-retention case; 1 was classed as severe, 2 as moderate, and 2 as minor.

Synthetic illustration only; figures are invented for training and are internally consistent.

Company reportsReal published reports
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How companies report S2-3 in practice

Real reports where this topic is disclosed. These are report practice, not exact disclosure templates to copy.

Danone S.A.
Food Production — Animal Source · France · 2025
Open report →
Danone's 2025 Universal Registration Document reports that 3,159 supplier entities were registered on the Sedex or EcoVadis platforms, with 691 audits conducted on Group tier 1 suppliers, of which 587 contained critical non-conformities (p.280, p.356, p.368). The report also notes the use of annual SMETA audits as a key performance indicator (p.280). However, there is no quotable evidence found regarding specific narrative details or numeric values related to human rights impacts or targets in the value chain beyond these audit figures.
Enagás, S.A.
Gas Utilities · Spain · 2025
Open report →
Enagás, S.A.’s 2025 Annual Report provides some references related to human rights and governance, mentioning impacts and channels for value chain workers to raise concerns (p.85, p.198) and addressing supplier reputational controls linked to corruption and bribery risks (p.75). The report also notes risk management measures including supplier diversification and long-term agreements (p.34), as well as cybersecurity strategies (p.30). However, no direct or detailed narrative or numeric evidence specifically addressing the disclosure was found in the report.
Bakkafrost P/F
Food Production — Animal Source · Faroe Islands · 2025
Open report →
Bakkafrost P/F’s Integrated Annual Report 2025 provides partial narrative context on engagement with suppliers to promote better practices and diversify the supplier base to reduce dependency (p.152), as well as on audits being reported and discussed at Board meetings with the Board’s expertise noted (p.61). However, the report lacks headline values or specific quantitative data related to these disclosures, and no direct evidence was found regarding processes for engaging with value chain workers or taking action on material impacts (p.152). Overall, the report offers some supporting context but does not fully cover the disclosure with detailed or measurable information.
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Scenarios to work through

A preparer has a short list of supplier-facing steps for a labour-rights issue: revised contract clauses, a corrective action plan, and extra site visits. The draft also mentions a training budget, but it is not clear whether that budget was actually used this period.

QWhich of these items should be described as carried out, and which should be treated separately as resources made available?
Reveal model answer →

A team has responded to a serious supplier labour issue by tightening purchase terms, increasing follow-up calls, and using its buying power to push for change. The draft report says the issue was “addressed”, but it does not explain what kind of harm was involved or how the company influenced the supplier.

QWhat extra detail needs to be added so the response is understandable to a reader?
Reveal model answer →

A preparer has performance data from supplier scorecards and audit findings, but the numbers are mixed with narrative comments. One supplier improved on the scorecard after training, while another failed an audit and was given a corrective plan; the draft does not show which evidence supports which part of the story.

QHow should the evidence be organised so the report is usable and credible?
Reveal model answer →

A supplier audit found repeated excessive overtime at one site, and the company classifies the issue as serious. The draft mentions one incident, but the team is unsure whether to describe the event as a one-off or as part of a wider pattern, and whether the severity label should be explained.

QWhat should the preparer do when recording incidents linked to supplier labour issues?
Reveal model answer →
Framework references

Related framework references

How this disclosure maps across the major reporting frameworks.

ESRS
S2-3
within ESRS S2: Workers in the Value Chain
Open official source →
Primary
Related & explore
Go deeper · S2-3
Learn to prepare this disclosure end-to-end

This guide covers one Disclosure Requirement. The ESRS / CSRD Reporting course walks the full European workflow — double materiality, datapoints, evidence and assurance — with exercises on your own data.

Available as Guided Flex, Live Cohort, 1:1 Expert Mentorship or Corporate Programme.

FAQ

Questions this page answers

How do I use the S2-3 page to prepare a disclosure on workers in the value chain?+
Which S2-3 datapoints should I collect first for workers in the value chain?+
How do I decide who owns the S2-3 data collection and drafting work?+
What should I include in the evidence pack for S2-3 assurance readiness?+
What are the six assurance claims I need to check for S2-3?+
How do I avoid common mistakes when reporting S2-3?+
How do I use the S2-3 workbook download to build the disclosure?+
What can I learn from the synthetic example disclosure for S2-3?+
How do I turn S2-3 data into a draft narrative and content index line?+
Where can I find real company report examples for S2-3 workers in the value chain?+
More questions this page can help with
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