EcoVadis Explained: A Simple Guide for Suppliers 

If one of your clients has asked you to complete an EcoVadis assessment, you’re not alone. Many large organisations now require their suppliers to go through this process to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. 

If this is your first time dealing with sustainability requirements, the process might feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. This guide explains what EcoVadis is, why it matters, and how you can approach it with confidence.

What Is EcoVadis?

EcoVadis is a platform that assesses how companies manage sustainability topics, including environmental impact, working conditions, business ethics, and supplier relationships. More than 150,000 companies across over 185 countries have been rated using the EcoVadis system, making it one of the most widely used sustainability assessment tools in the world. 

When you complete an EcoVadis assessment, your business receives a score that reflects how well you manage these topics. The score is benchmarked against similar companies in your industry and used by your clients to evaluate your performance as a supplier.

Why It Matters?

EcoVadis is a platform that assesses how companies manage sustainability topics, including environmental impact, working conditions, business ethics, and supplier relationships. More than 150,000 companies across over 185 countries have been rated using the EcoVadis system, making it one of the most widely used sustainability assessment tools in the world. 

When you complete an EcoVadis assessment, your business receives a score that reflects how well you manage these topics. The score is benchmarked against similar companies in your industry and used by your clients to evaluate your performance as a supplier.  

Why It Matters?

EcoVadis isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. For many suppliers, it’s becoming a key part of doing business with major clients. A good score can improve your chances of securing or renewing contracts, but more importantly, the process gives you a clear picture of where your business stands on sustainability and where there is room for improvement.

What Does the Assessment Cover?

The EcoVadis assessment is structured around four themes: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Each theme looks at a range of criteria. For example, under Environment, EcoVadis might assess how your business manages energy, waste, water, and climate-related impacts. Under Ethics, the focus is on topics like anti-corruption and data protection. Labour and Human Rights covers working conditions and non-discrimination, while Sustainable Procurement looks at how you engage with your own suppliers. 

You don’t need to be an expert in all of these areas before starting. The assessment is tailored to your business size, sector, and country, so you’ll only be asked to respond to what’s relevant to your organisation.

How Does The Assessment Work? 

The process starts with a short registration, where you enter details about your company. Based on this information, you’ll receive a customised questionnaire. It’s very important to get the registration right, as this determines the scope of your assessment. 

You’ll then be asked to upload evidence to support your answers. This could include company policies, certifications, records of actions taken, or sustainability reports. EcoVadis places strong emphasis on action and results, not just written commitments. In fact, around 75% of your score is based on what you’re actually doing to implement your policies and track progress. 

Once submitted, your responses are reviewed by the EcoVadis team and you receive a score from 0 to 100. You’ll also see how you performed in each theme.

What Does the Score Mean?

Your overall score places you in one of several performance levels, ranging from “Insufficient” (-0-24) to “Outstanding” (85-100). But don’t worry if your first score isn’t at the top, that’s completely normal. In fact, in 2024, less than 1% of companies were rated as “Outstanding”.  

What really matters is that you’re taking steps in the right direction. Look at your score as a starting point, it helps you understand where your business stands today and gives you a clear path for improvement. With time and action, your score can grow alongside your sustainability journey. 

How to Get Started?

If this is your first EcoVadis assessment, here are a few tips: 

• Take a moment to review what your business already has in place. You might be surprised by how much is already covered, whether it’s an HR policy, a supplier code of conduct, or an energy-saving initiative. 

•  Identify who in your team can help. Sustainability data often sits across different departments, so it’s helpful to bring the right people into the process early on. 

• Focus first on getting the basics right: complete your registration accurately, gather your existing documentation, and familiarise yourself with the areas where EcoVadis will expect to see evidence. From there, you can begin to build a stronger submission. 

How can we help?

We are an EcoVadis-approved Training Partner, with a team trained in the EcoVadis methodology. We are here to guide you through the assessment process, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve a previous score. 

We can help you understand your scorecard, identify areas for improvement, and put your action plan into practice. Our support covers areas such as sustainable procurement, climate action, modern slavery, and more. 

If you’re unsure where to begin, get in touch for a free discovery call.