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FNET update to the Risk Assessment Tool

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The Risk Assessment Tool

One of the most popular tools FNET members have access to is the FNET Risk Assessment Tool. In the 2025 annual benchmarking survey, 60% of members reported that the FNET Risk assessment tool helps identify risks and nearly a quarter of members’ 2024-25 Modern Slavery Statements mentioned FNET’s support with risk assessment.

The FNET Risk Assessment Tool provides a shared, evidence‑based view of human rights risks in food supply chains to support consistent, proportionate and credible action by FNET members.

The tool enables members to:

  • Make sense of 1000’s of raw materials by identifying and prioritising higher‑risk commodities and countries based on credible external data
  • Focus due diligence efforts on areas of greatest risk, rather than applying uniform approaches across all supply chains
  • Support supplier engagement and review, by adopting a risk-based supplier assessment. Identifying areas to collaborate with other FNET members and raw material & services group for deep dive insights
  • Inform business decision‑making, such as sourcing strategies, new product development and investment in mitigation or collaborative projects
  • Track changes in risk over time, with transparency on which underlying indicators drive score changes
  • Align approaches across the sector, reducing duplication for suppliers and promoting a common understanding of salient human rights risks. A number of retailers such as Tesco using the FNET country risks as the basis for supplier ethical requirements.

The update

For 2026, FNET is commissioning a further update to the FNET Risk assessment tool, which will enable FNET members to continue to access up-to-date credible risk information on commodities and origins.  Since the FNET Risk Assessment Tool was first developed in 2016, the way supply‑chain risks can be monitored and managed has changed significantly. While credible global indices remain essential, advances in data availability, analytics and system integration now make it possible to complement static, periodic risk scores with more timely and dynamic insights. FNET members increasingly need to respond to emerging human rights risks, understand what is driving changes in risk in near‑real time, and prioritise action accordingly. In this tender we are looking for opportunities to evolve the FNET Risk Assessment Tool so that it continues to provide a robust, shared baseline of risk, while also incorporating more frequent updates, clearer signals of change and improved granularity where it adds value.

What are we looking for in a provider?

We are looking for providers who can demonstrate the following minimum requirements: organisational capability and experience; subject‑matter expertise, data and methodology; technical and delivery capability, as well as the financial and organisational stability appropriate to delivering the scope of work, commitment to FNET’s values and no conflicts of interest that would compromise independence or credibility of outputs.

Proposed timelines for the process

The deadline for submissions is 22nd May 2026.

The FNET team will be available for calls and questions on this between 15-22nd May and will hold meetings on Thursday 4th June for shortlisted suppliers to present their offer.

We expect to award the contract by mid-June, so user acceptance testing can begin in September 2026, with an anticipated launch date of October 2026.

The tender document is available here. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

Download the Request for Proposals here

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