ASSURANCE
Woolworths internal audit team has audited selected Good business journey indicators during 2010 and will continue this process twice per annum. The indicators forming part of the programme have been classified into three categories:
- those that are already externally verified;
- those that could be externally verified/audited; and
- those that require internal auditing.
For the final category the Woolworths internal audit team has a four-year plan in place to cover all indicators, focusing on the processes followed to measure data and track changes.
The internal audit framework has added a robust oversight mechanism to the Good business journey measurement process and is part of a process to prepare the business for external assurance in the next financial year.
Our BEE status has been assured by BEE Verification Agency CC for the 2010 financial year. Through the external assurance received from the agency, we have been assessed as a level 5 contributor.
We have also undertaken a limited external verification of our carbon footprint data in conjunction with the Global Carbon Exchange, and their assurance statement can be found under carbon footprint.