Approved supplier list

An approved supplier list records suppliers that a business has authorised for particular purchases. Approval may be limited to certain products or sites and should be reviewed when supplier performance or business requirements change.

The list may identify approved product categories, manufacturing sites, conditions and review dates. Approval can be provisional or restricted, rather than applying to every purchase from the supplier. Maintaining these boundaries prevents staff from interpreting a name on the list as permission to buy any product without further checks.

For example, a company approved to supply standard cartons may require separate qualification before supplying packaging for temperature-sensitive goods. A supplier scorecard can support periodic review, highlighting whether delivery or quality performance still meets expectations. The list is useful only if changes, restrictions and removals reach purchasing staff.