[Gustavo Leite]

1-
a. High-risk area: Total of 67 suppliers. The sample size should be 8.18, calculated using the square root.

b. Medium-risk area: Total of 49 suppliers. The sample size should be 9.8, using 20% of the total. However, for medium-risk areas, reduce the number of suppliers to be assessed by 15% (rounding up), resulting in a sample of 9.

c. Low-risk area: Total of 144 suppliers. The sample size should be 12, calculated using the square root. For low-risk areas, reduce the number of suppliers to be assessed by 30% (rounding up), resulting in a sample of 9.
It is necessary to consider the risk of the region where the suppliers are located, applying an adjustment factor. For very high-risk and high-risk regions, the values indicated in Table 1 of ANNEX A should be used. For medium-risk regions, reduce the number of suppliers to be assessed by 15% (rounding up), and for low-risk regions, reduce it by 30% (also rounding up).

2-The auditor should cross-check by consulting public or official lists, such as embargo lists, environmental crime records, forced or child labor violations, conflicts with indigenous or traditional communities, as well as deforestation records.”

3-Proper sampling is essential to ensure that the standard’s requirements are consistently applied throughout the supply chain. Systemic non-conformities indicate a failure in the management system to continuously address the standard’s requirements
NC Example: The operator does not provide specific training for handling pesticides to its workers, as required by NR 31 in Brazil.
Corrective action: Implement training with a minimum duration of 20 hours for workers involved in pesticide applications.