What is EcoVadis? Scores, medals and how to prepare

Why customers ask for EcoVadis

Many large buyers need to show how they manage environmental and social risks in their supply chains, for their own sustainability reports, regulators and investors. Rather than sending each supplier its own questionnaire, they ask suppliers to be rated on EcoVadis and share the scorecard.

For suppliers, a good rating can be a condition of doing business, a scoring factor in tenders or a way to stand out. Some contracts set a minimum score or ask for improvement over time.

How the assessment works

• Your customer invites you, or you register yourself on the platform
• EcoVadis tailors a questionnaire to your industry, size and country
• You answer the questions and upload documents as evidence
• EcoVadis analysts review the answers and documents, and check public information about your company
• Your scorecard is published to your account, with scores, strengths and improvement areas
• You choose which customers can see it

The analysis usually takes some weeks after submission. The subscription fee is paid to EcoVadis and depends on your company size and the package you choose.

The four themes

• Environment: energy, emissions, water, waste, pollution and the environmental impact of products
• Labour and human rights: health and safety, working conditions, diversity, career management and human rights
• Ethics: corruption, anti-competitive practices and information security
• Sustainable procurement: how you manage environmental and social issues in your own suppliers

Each theme is scored on policies, actions and results. Weighting between themes depends on your industry, so a manufacturer and a software company are scored differently.

Scores and medals

The overall score runs from 0 to 100. EcoVadis also awards medals, such as bronze, silver, gold and platinum, based on how a company's score compares with other companies it has assessed. The medal rules are set by EcoVadis and can change, so check the current criteria on its website.

A scorecard is valid for twelve months. Most customers expect a reassessment each year and look for improvement.

How to prepare for a first assessment

• Gather existing policies and records: environment, health and safety, human resources, ethics and purchasing
• Write the missing policies, but only ones you will actually follow
• Collect evidence of actions: training records, energy and waste data, supplier codes and assessments
• Make sure every document is dated, carries your company name and matches the answer it supports
• Use certifications you already hold, such as ISO 14001 or ISO 45001, as evidence

Evidence is what scores. A strong practice with no document behind it earns few points, so most of the preparation is about showing clearly what you already do. EUROTECH provides EcoVadis consultancy; the rating itself is issued only by EcoVadis.