Below are answers to our most-often-asked questions. If you need additional support, log in and use the in-app chat, or email [email protected]
Platform Basics & Access
What is SupplierConnect?
SupplierConnect is HowGood’s secure platform for seamless carbon footprint data sharing between supply chain partners. Suppliers enter formula details, and receive an instantly-calculated carbon footprint to share with their requesting customers.
Who is HowGood?
HowGood is an independent research company and sustainability intelligence platform. They developed the world’s largest sustainability database for food ingredients, enabling highly-granular and accurate measurement of carbon emissions, water footprint, and other sustainability metrics. HowGood works with ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to measure, manage, report, and reduce emissions. Learn more here.
What is the cost to participate?
There is absolutely no cost to suppliers.
Can I add other members from my team?
Yes, you can direct them to the same registration page you used to request your account credentials.
I’ve logged into my SupplierConnect account, but I don’t see a product list. What should I do?
Once you’ve registered, it takes about 24 hours for a new account to have its product list pre-loaded. If its been longer than that, please reach out to [email protected]
Some of the products that are listed are outdated/discontinued. What should I do?
If you have questions on products that are listed, please reach out to [email protected]
Data Confidentiality & Security
Is my data secure?
Yes. All data you enter is secure. HowGood’s SupplierConnect platform is:
SOC 2 Type 2 compliant
ISO 27001 certified
How do you keep my product data confidential?
Your product formulation data (e.g., ingredients, sourcing locations, standards or inclusion percentages) is never shared with your customer. Your customer can only see your product's footprint. You retain full ownership of any data entered in the platform. HowGood only uses this information to calculate your carbon footprint.
Trusted by industry leaders such as Danone, Nestlé, Ingredion, and Kerry, HowGood’s platform meets the highest standards of enterprise data security.
Read more in the HowGood Supplier Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Can you share the confidentiality and privacy agreement that we would need to sign?
Here is the link to our SupplierConnect terms of service/confidentiality agreement: HowGood Supplier Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
When you request your account credentials from the original registration page, there is an agreement confirmation box that must be checked before proceeding with your account. This records your acceptance of HowGood's Supplier Use and Non-Disclosure Agreement.
Data Entry & Calculation
What if I only have partial data?
It's ok if you don't have full data for all the products on the list. You can still calculate and share your footprint with what you have available. Edits and additions can be made later, just be sure to hit Share Footprint again to send the updated version. You can also reach out to our team for help in prioritizing which products to gather data for.
Can I enter on-farm data?
Yes, we have a module called FieldScope that supports this. If your customer has paid for FieldScope you can add this data. Learn more at SupplierConnect: Adding Product Data.
I have an LCA. Can I just use that?
Yes! Simply select the Upload Emissions option in SupplierConnect. You can upload your LCA for one product or apply it to multiple products that share the same LCA.
I’m ready to start adding product data, where can I go for more support?
Visit SupplierConnect: Adding Product Data for step-by-step guidance.
I’ve shared footprints for all of my products, but my SupplierConnect does not say 100% complete for my customer.
The completion rate is calculated by both the product list as well as the three company-level questions. Make sure to answer all three company-level questions to receive a 100% completion rate.
I’ve shared my product footprint, but I need to go back and make edits. Can I re-share the footprint?
Yes, you can edit your product(s) anytime. If you have already shared your footprint with your customer, you'll need to re-share after making edits.
How long will it take for my results to be ready?
It depends on how you submit your data:
Direct data submission: Your results will be available instantly within SupplierConnect.
Bulk upload or LCA submission: These go through a thorough review by HowGood’s research team to ensure your unique supply chain practices are reflected in your Product Carbon Footprint. Results will be available within 6 weeks.
Product Footprint Usage
What will my customer be doing with my data after I share it?
Your Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data may be used in the following ways:
Scope 3 reporting for CDP, SBTi, or regulatory requirements
Establishing a baseline for internal decarbonization strategies
It may also support:
Collaborative conversations around reduction strategies
Customer decisions related to product selection and sustainability performance
Once we upload this information for the requesting customer, are we prohibited from giving it to other customers?
SupplierConnect provides the calculations for the requesting company alone. You're welcome to use them for internal decision-making, but that access does not extend to other customers. If you're interested in using these PCFs for other customers, either for selling or for responding to data requests, you may be interested in our BuyerConnect platform which enables exactly that - you can reach out here.