Achilles global survey of 2,805 organisations reveals widening transparency gaps, rising regulatory pressure, and growing but constrained interest in AI-driven supplier risk management.
A new global survey by Achilles, a supply chain risk and performance management firm, has revealed that only 6 per cent of organisations report full visibility into their Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers, while nearly half report limited or no visibility beyond their immediate supplier base. The findings, drawn from 2,805 organisations across construction, energy, manufacturing, transport, and the public sector, point to significant transparency gaps at a time when regulatory scrutiny and operational disruption are intensifying.
The research shows that legislation and regulatory requirements have overtaken both carbon-reduction commitments and customer expectations as the primary driver of sustainability initiatives. More than 75 per cent of participating companies said inconsistent national regulations have at least some impact on their ability to maintain consistent supplier requirements across borders. Only 18 per cent of organisations said they were very confident in the accuracy of supplier-reported safety data.
Supplier readiness is emerging as a parallel concern. Nearly 60 per cent of organisations expressed concern about the long-term availability of specialised suppliers, reflecting tightening capacity in critical supply markets. A further 64 per cent said their suppliers are only moderately or mostly prepared to meet rising environmental and safety standards, with just 11 per cent believing suppliers are fully prepared.
Adam Whitfield, Head of Global Compliance and ESG at Achilles, said organisations need structured supplier data, consistent governance, and continuous monitoring to identify emerging risks early. “Building resilience now requires more than periodic supplier assessments,” he said.
The survey also highlights growing interest in AI-driven supplier risk management, though adoption remains constrained by fragmented supplier data, legacy platforms, and disconnected systems.
Source: Achilles Global Supplier Risk and Sustainability Survey 2026
