In a self-assessment, you fill out the Data Collection Tool by yourself (with all relevant departments/people included). Note: if you reach out to a business partner to ask a few questions and/or get some clarification, it is still a self-assessment.
In a joint-assessment, you get help filling in the Data Collection Tool. An external organization is contracted (paid or unpaid) to assist in completing the Data Collection Tool with e.g.,:
- Advising on how to answer questions
- Reviewing the report
- Preparing for the verification
Examples of who can help: Verifier Body, Training Body, SLCP signatory brand, agent or civil society organization, and social responsibility consultancy. Note: If a Verifier Body helped you with your joint-assessment, they cannot be the Verifier Body that verifies the joint-assessment in the verification.
The outcome of both, a filled in self/joint-assessment, is considered equally in the SLCP assessment process.