What is Audit Readiness – And Why It Matters
You’ve heard the term thrown around in sustainability circles: ‘audit readiness.’ By what does it really mean? If the phrase gives you flashbacks to last-minute paperwork scrambles or unclear data requests, you’re not alone.
Here’s how I like to define it:
Audit readiness means your sustainability claims are always backed by clear, traceable, and accessible documentation that is driven by science and data. Not just when an auditor comes knocking – but all the time.
Audit Readiness Looks Like This:
You know exactly where your documentation lives
You have a team process for updates and approvals
Your data is traceable and ties back to real sources (like supplier records or shipping logs)
You’re not scrambling before a certification deadline
Audit Readiness Doesn’t Look Like This:
Excel files labeled “final_final_v3.xlsx”
Chasing vendors for last-minute paperwork
Discovering missing proof, a week before your audit
Guesswork
Audit readiness is about confidence, not just compliance. It gives your stakeholders peace of mind, your team breathing room, and your claims real credibility in a crowded market.
Sara’s Pro Tip
Think of your sustainability documentation like your taxes: if you wouldn’t feel comfortable being audited tomorrow, you’re not ready. And trust me, that auditor will ask for the one thing you forgot to organize. Need help getting your ducks in a row? Reach out – we have audit prep checklists and assessment tools to get you started.
DM or email to ask your questions: #AskSustainableSara
Written by Sara Risley, Certification Officer, GreenCircle Certified
About Sustainable Sara
Sustainable Sara is GreenCircle Certified’s in-house Certification Officer – and your go-to source for navigating the complex world of sustainability claims, audits, and emissions reporting. She’s deeply knowledgeable, fiercely passionate about environmental integrity, and believes that every company – no matter the size – can make credible, verifiable sustainability progress.
