A Global Pharma leader boosts Supplier ESG Assessment with D&B Risk Analytics

Dun & Bradstreet assisted the organization to bring more transparency and accountability into its supply chain. With ESG expectations rising, D&B helped assess supplier risks, support improvements, and stay ahead of evolving regulations.

Challenges faced by the client

As an organization committed to responsible growth, they set out to enhance ESG governance across its supplier network. Undertaking such an initiative is no small task. Building transparency and accountability into a diverse supply chain often means dealing with inconsistent ESG standards, varying levels of supplier maturity, and limited access to reliable data. Without a structured, scalable approach, it becomes difficult to assess where risks lie, how suppliers are performing, or whether they truly align with your company’s sustainability values.

Internal challenges

One of the key challenges was the lack of visibility into supplier performance on critical ESG parameters—such as labor practices, human rights adherence, and environmental compliance. Without a clear line of sight, it was difficult to evaluate ESG risks or ensure that suppliers were upholding your standards. This gap not only created operational uncertainty but also raised questions about whether your value chain was genuinely contributing to the organizations broader ESG objectives.

External challenges

Externally, the organization were against a fast-changing ESG landscape. With regulations like CSDDD, BRSR, and EcoVadis raising the bar, the pressure to track supplier performance kept growing. But with limited data and inconsistent reporting, staying compliant wasn’t easy. The risks—regulatory penalties, reputational hits, and ESG gaps—made it clear that proactive supplier risk management was no longer optional.

How D&B helped?

Dun & Bradstreet brought structure and clarity to the organization’s ESG journey. Using a globally aligned questionnaire, D&B helped assess supplier performance across key ESG areas. From there, they created detailed CAPA reports to highlight gaps and guide improvements.

To build long-term capability, D&B ran hands-on training sessions for your suppliers and supported you in drafting key policies—like the Supplier Code of Conduct and Sustainable Procurement Policy. The result? A stronger, more transparent supply chain that’s ready for what’s next.

Key learnings

• Clear strategic roadmap to improve supplier ESG performance
• Enhanced tracking and monitoring for smoother future reporting
• Stronger collaboration and trust with suppliers
• Better alignment with evolving regulatory and compliance requirements
• Increased transparency and ESG disclosures across the supply chain