Audit Process

The Responsible Sourcing Scheme (RSS) audit is a comprehensive, independent assessment conducted by a qualified third-party auditor. Its purpose is to verify that scheme members meet all RSS requirements and truly adhere to responsible sourcing practices. Audits are evidence-based and rigorous; the auditor examines documentation and processes to ensure that every claim a member makes is backed up with proof. All RSS audits are carried out in line with the scheme’s official Guidance Notes, which provide detailed instructions for consistency in how each audit is performed.

Audit Content

During an RSS audit, the auditor reviews practical evidence for each of the scheme’s seven sustainability criteria. This ensures that a member’s performance in each area is verified against real data and documentation rather than just assertions. The seven RSS criteria and examples of the evidence an auditor will look for include:

  • Energy Use: Records of energy consumption (e.g. electricity and fuel usage logs) and evidence of energy sources, such as invoices or certificates for renewable energy. This helps confirm the accuracy of any energy efficiency or carbon footprint claims made for the product or facility.
  • Water Use: Documentation of water usage in production processes (like water meter readings or recycling system reports) to ensure water resources are being used responsibly. Auditors check that water management practices align with the scheme’s expectations and that any claims of efficient water use are supported by data.
  • Social Compliance: Proof of fair and ethical labour practices throughout the supply chain. For example, the auditor will verify social compliance audit reports, worker welfare policies, or certifications (if any) that demonstrate the member and its suppliers uphold labour standards and community responsibilities.
  • Habitat & Biodiversity: Evidence that raw material sourcing and production do not harm ecosystems. The auditor may review site assessments, land use records, or conservation plans. For instance, if an ingredient is harvested from a particular area, there should be documentation showing that no protected habitats were negatively impacted and that biodiversity is respected.
  • Pollution: Information on how pollutants and emissions are controlled. Auditors examine records such as waste management logs, emissions testing results, or the completed RSS pollution questionnaire. This is to confirm that the company has measures in place to minimise pollution (air, water, and soil) and that these measures meet the scheme’s criteria.
  • Renewability: Documentation proving that materials are renewable or being replenished. The auditor looks for evidence like sustainability certifications for raw materials (e.g. sustainably managed forestry certificates for wood-based ingredients) or regeneration plans for resources. This validates any claims that a product’s components are from renewable sources and checks that usage rates don’t outpace renewal rates.
  • Resource Use Efficiency: Proof that the company is efficient in its use of resources and minimising waste. The auditor will check data on material yields, recycling or reuse of by-products, and general production efficiency. For example, records of how waste from the production process is repurposed or minimised will support the scoring in this criterion.

Throughout the process, the auditor cross-checks all evidence against the RSS criteria to ensure that the member’s self-assessed scores or claims are accurate and justified. This thorough content review guarantees that RSS ratings are credible and earned through genuine, responsible sourcing efforts, giving both consumers and industry partners confidence in the scheme’s certifications.

Guidance Notes: All audits adhere to the official RSS Guidance Notes, which detail the required evidence and acceptable practices for each criterion. The Guidance Notes are available to the public on the scheme’s Resources page of our website. Importantly, these notes are a living document. They are regularly updated to reflect member feedback, new developments in the horticultural industry, and the evolving needs of the scheme. By following the most up-to-date Guidance Notes, auditors ensure that the audit process remains current, robust, and fair for all members. This means the RSS audit process not only holds members to high standards but also continuously improves with the industry, maintaining relevance and professionalism for both companies undergoing audits and consumers relying on RSS certification.

Audit Frequency

To keep certification up to date, RSS audits happen on a set schedule (with flexibility for product changes):

  • Initial Audit – New members must undergo their first full audit within 12 months of joining the scheme.
  • Regular Re-Audits – Members require a comprehensive re-audit every 3 years to remain in good standing.
  • Audits for Product Changes – Any significant change in raw material origin or composition that affects scoring must be audited before the product can be marketed under RSS accreditation.
  • Annual Confirmation – Every year, members must submit a written compliance statement confirming that their audited scores remain accurate and that no significant changes have occurred.