What Is SCAN Audit? Supply Chain Security Standard 2026

SCAN — the Supplier Compliance Audit Network — is a member-driven association that operates a shared supply chain security audit program. Instead of each importer conducting its own security audit of a supplier facility, SCAN members agree to accept a single standardized audit, the results of which are stored in a central repository accessible to all members. This approach reduces audit fatigue for suppliers, lowers costs for importers, and establishes a consistent security baseline across the entire supply chain. SCAN is recognised as an approved third-party audit program by major retailers including Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, and Costco.

SCAN Is Not a Certification Body

A critical distinction sets SCAN apart from certification programs such as FSC, WRAP, or BSCI: SCAN does not certify its own members. Membership eligibility is earned before joining. All SCAN members must already hold either CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certification from U.S. Customs and Border Protection or membership in an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program in a country that has a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the United States, or operate under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SCAN itself.

In other words, SCAN is not a replacement for CTPAT or AEO — it is a network that builds on top of those existing trusted-trader certifications. The SCAN audit program is designed for supplier facilities that are not themselves CTPAT-certified but supply SCAN member importers, providing a standardized, shared audit that meets the security requirements of multiple buyers simultaneously.

How the SCAN Shared Audit Repository Works

The central innovation of SCAN is the shared audit repository. Here is how it functions in practice:

1. A supplier facility requests a SCAN audit through an authorised audit firm — either at the request of a SCAN member importer or on its own initiative.
2. The audit is conducted against the SCAN standard by an approved firm (such as BSI, Bureau Veritas, Eurofins, Intertek, OMEGA, SGS, or UL).
3. The audit results are uploaded to the SCAN repository, where all SCAN member importers can access them.
4. Multiple importers accept the same audit report — instead of each buyer requiring a separate audit, they all rely on the single shared audit.
5. The report is valid for two years, unless the facility scores below 75%, is located in a high-risk country, or fails to respond to corrective action plans.

This model directly addresses the problem of audit fatigue — the burden on supplier facilities of hosting multiple, overlapping security audits from different customers throughout the year.

SCAN Audit Requirements

The SCAN audit standard examines ten core areas of supply chain security:

#	Area	What It Covers
1	Security Vision and Responsibility	Management commitment, security policies, and designated security personnel.
2	Risk Assessment	Identifying and evaluating security threats to the facility and supply chain.
3	Business Partner Requirements	Vetting and monitoring third-party partners and service providers.
4	Cybersecurity and IT Security	Protecting digital systems, data, and IT infrastructure from unauthorised access.
5	International Conveyance and Tools	Security of containers, trailers, and transport equipment.
6	Agricultural Security	Measures to prevent contamination or tampering of agricultural products.
7	Seal Security	Management and control of container seals, including high-security seals.
8	Physical Security	Perimeter fencing, lighting, access control, and intrusion detection.
9	Personnel Security	Background checks, employee identification, and visitor management.
10	Security Training and Threat Awareness	Training programs and procedures for recognising and reporting security threats.

SCAN Membership: Who Can Join

SCAN membership is selective by design. As stated on the SCAN Association website, membership is built on trust and is not open to everyone. To qualify as a SCAN member, a company must already hold one of the following:

• CTPAT certification — the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• AEO certification — an Authorized Economic Operator status in a country that has a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the United States.
• An MOU with SCAN — a Memorandum of Understanding between the local customs authority and the SCAN Association.

Current SCAN members include major retailers, importers, and brand owners across multiple sectors. SCAN is recognised as an approved third-party audit program under the Walmart Supply Chain Security (SCS) program (alongside WRAP and the SCS Small Supplier Program), and its members include companies such as Walmart, Target, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Gap, Kohl's, Hasbro, and Disney.

SCAN vs CTPAT: Understanding the Difference

A common point of confusion is the relationship between SCAN and CTPAT. They are complementary, not alternatives:

Dimension	CTPAT	SCAN
Administering body	U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)	SCAN Association (private, member-driven)
Purpose	Government trusted-trader program; offers customs benefits (fewer inspections, priority processing)	Shared audit network for importers and suppliers; reduces duplicate audits
Who can join	Importers, carriers, brokers, warehouse operators, manufacturers	Companies that already have CTPAT, AEO (MRA), or an MOU with SCAN
Audit model	CBP validates each member's security profile directly	Shared audit repository; one audit accepted by all members

How Supplier Facilities Get a SCAN Audit

If your facility supplies goods to SCAN member importers, you can request a SCAN audit to avoid being audited separately by each customer. The process includes:

1. Request the audit through one of SCAN's approved audit firms (BSI, Bureau Veritas, Eurofins, Intertek, OMEGA, SGS, or UL) or through a SCAN member importer.
2. Complete the SCAN pre-audit questionnaire and the SCAN Factory and Supplier Training Course.
3. Schedule and host the on-site audit. The auditor evaluates the facility against all ten SCAN security areas.
4. Receive the audit report. The results are uploaded to the SCAN repository. If the score is 75% or above and the facility is not in a high-risk country, the report is valid for two years.
5. Implement corrective actions if needed. SCAN requires a documented corrective action plan for any findings.

Once the audit is in the repository, it can be accessed by all SCAN member importers that the supplier authorises — eliminating the need for separate audits for each customer.

FAQ: SCAN Supply Chain Security Questions

Conclusion

The SCAN (Supplier Compliance Audit Network) offers a practical solution to the inefficiency of duplicate supply chain security audits. By establishing a shared audit repository and a standardised audit protocol, SCAN reduces the cost and burden on suppliers while giving importers confidence that their supply chain meets a consistent security baseline.

For supplier facilities that serve multiple SCAN member importers — particularly in retail and consumer goods — participating in the SCAN audit program can eliminate the need for separate security audits for each customer, streamlining compliance and freeing resources for other priorities.

Need help with SCAN audit preparation or supply chain security compliance? Contact us for a free consultation.

References

• SCAN Association. Official website. Retrieved from scanassociation.org
• SCAN Association. (2026). Membership eligibility and requirements. Retrieved from scanassociation.org/membership
• SCAN Association. Supplier FAQs. Retrieved from scanassociation.com/membership/supplier-faqs
• Walmart. (2024). Supply Chain Security (SCS) Audit Guidance. SCAN listed as approved third-party program.