EcoVadis is now the benchmark for assessing corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) performance in B2B relationships. Its score is based on a rigorous analysis of your policies, actions, and results across four key areas. If you want to improve your rating, it is essential to understand how the system works, prepare solid evidence, and structure a credible, scalable CSR strategy.
EcoVadis provides a CSR performance rating for companies, covering four pillars:
- Environment
- Labor & Human Rights
- Ethics
- Sustainable Procurement
Unlike a certification, the EcoVadis rating does not validate a single standard, but provides a score between 0 and 100, positioning your company relative to its peers.
🟡 Good to know: The EcoVadis rating is updated annually and is valid for 12 months.
The score is determined based on:
- an online questionnaire tailored to your size, industry, and country
- supporting documents to provide as evidence
- an assessment by EcoVadis of your policies, actions, and indicators
- A global score (0 to 100)
- A medal (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) based on your percentile ranking among assessed companies
📉 Example: A score of 88 might earn a Gold medal in 2024, but only Silver in 2025 if other companies improve. This highlights the importance of aiming for continuous improvement.
1. Policies (what you declare)
Examples: CSR charters, code of conduct, environmental policies
2. Actions (what you implement)
Examples: ISO certifications, internal training, eco-design initiatives
3. Results (what you measure)
Examples: CSR indicators, carbon footprints, external audits, GRI reporting
Here is the evidence required, by category:
- Certificates: ISO 14001, ISO 50001
- Actions: energy reduction, waste management
- Evidence: invoices, carbon footprints, CSR reports
- Certificates: ISO 45001, MASE
- Documents: risk assessment reports, gender equality index, training reports
- Actions: inclusion, workplace health and safety
- Signed code of conduct, IT security policy
- Evidence: risk mapping, anti-corruption plan, cybersecurity invoices
- Supplier code of conduct
- Contracts with CSR clauses
- Supply chain risk mapping
💡 A CSR report alone isn't enough: choose clear, dated, and verifiable documents that include a logo.
- Appoint a project lead
- Create a clear action plan and timeline
- Get internal stakeholders involved
- Stick to the 55-file limit
- Prioritize concise, dated documents that provide concrete evidence
- Keep an eye on validity periods: 8 years for policies, 2 years for audits
- Implement a structured CSR strategy
- Set goals and track key metrics
- Keep your CSR governance active
- Target the priority topics for your specific sector and country
- Prioritize your efforts and evidence based on how much they impact your score
- Don't underestimate the time required
- Don't mix policies, actions, and results in the same document
- Don't use outdated or unverified documents
Altopi supports you at every stage of your EcoVadis journey with a structured approach:
📌 Case study: With our support, Jiliti went from a Bronze medal to a Platinum medal. We helped them structure their initiatives, formalize their commitments, and optimize their assessment file.
👉 Discover our EcoVadis support services
No, only your medal is visible. Your detailed score remains private unless you choose to share it.
Yes, but it is recommended to implement an improvement plan first.
No, only the official certificate is accepted as proof.
No, it is not eligible as proof for EcoVadis.
Yes, to keep your scorecard valid and visible to your partners.
Yes, by submitting a justified appeal within 30 days of the results being published.
- Understand how the EcoVadis rating system works
- Structure your approach as a strategic CSR project
- Collect and prioritize solid, verifiable evidence
- Focus your efforts on the key issues for your industry
- Think continuous improvement: your score is relative, not absolute
- Anticipate the annual reassessment and document your progress
Your company's sustainable performance
