Earning an EcoVadis medal in 2025 is no longer just a formality. With increasingly rigorous evaluation standards, only one in three companies manages to secure an award. Yet, this score has become a true CSR golden ticket, recognized by buyers worldwide.
How does the EcoVadis rating work? What are the pitfalls to avoid? What steps should you take to aim for Gold or Platinum? This guide provides a clear, structured overview to help you master the technical mechanics of the assessment, pillar by pillar.
EcoVadis evaluates companies based on 4 fundamental pillars, each covering key sustainability issues:
- Environment: GHG emissions, waste management, energy consumption, biodiversity, and more.
- Labor & Human Rights: health, safety, working conditions, diversity, and respect for labor laws.
- Ethics: anti-corruption, anti-competitive practices, and information integrity.
- Sustainable Procurement: selecting and monitoring suppliers based on CSR criteria.
EcoVadis analysts rely on 21 international criteria (based on UN, ILO, GRI standards, etc.), some of which will apply to you depending on:
- your industry
- your company size
- your geographic location
The assessment is therefore customized: two companies with the same score may have very different profiles.
The EcoVadis score is based on three management pillars:
These elements are broken down into 7 technical indicators such as:
- POLI (policies),
- MESU (measures),
- CERT (certifications),
- 360 (external monitoring),
- REPO (reporting),
- etc.
👉 Evidence must be dated, structured, measurable, and recent (less than 18 months old).
EcoVadis awards medals by percentile, based on your standing compared to all other evaluated companies.
📌 An identical score can lead to a different medal from one year to the next, depending on the overall progress of other companies.
Even with a good overall score, no medal will be awarded if any of the 4 pillars scores less than 30/100.
It is an automated analysis of your public mentions on:
- NGO websites,
- the press,
- legal rulings,
- reporting platforms, etc.
This monitoring detects potential controversies and assesses their severity:
- Minor: low impact
- Moderate: 5 to 10 point deduction
- Severe: automatic disqualification, even with a high score
💡 A company can lose its medal due to a single external alert.
Some companies are ineligible for a gold medal if they operate in sensitive sectors or are involved in serious controversies.
Examples of high-vigilance sectors:
- Mining: biodiversity, community relations
- Textiles: supply chain, decent work
- Chemicals: hazardous substances, safety
Large companies (1,000+ employees) also face additional requirements regarding non-financial reporting.
- Organize your documents by pillar
- Use a centralized CSR report
- Prepare dated and quantified evidence
- Ensure messages and data are consistent across all documents
- Generic or unbranded documents
- Policies without proof of implementation
- Inconsistencies between actions and results
- Last-minute submissions
⏱️ Recommended lead time: 3 months minimum (or 1 month with a specialized agency like Altopi)
EcoVadis provides medal-winning companies with:
- the official logo
- press release templates
- visuals for LinkedIn, your website, and email
- a verified digital certificate
⚠️ “Basic” subscription = no communication rights
- Highlight the medal in your tender responses
- Save time by avoiding certain supplier audits
- Strengthen your CSR positioning against competitors
💼 Easier access to demanding B2B markets (pharma, food, automotive, etc.)
🏢 Enhanced employer and investor appeal
📈 Increased credibility and market differentiation
Altopi supports you at every step:
- Initial CSR audit
- Preparing the required evidence
- Platform coaching
- Continuous improvement
📌 Real-world example: CGR Robinetterie earned a Platinum medal thanks to Altopi’s tailored support. We mapped out their initiatives, formalized their commitments, and optimized their submission.
👉 Explore our support services
Getting an EcoVadis medal is no longer a matter of luck. It’s the result of a structured CSR strategy, a solid application, and expert communication.
🎯 The EcoVadis assessment is based on 4 pillars and 21 criteria tailored to your profile
📊 The overall score is a weighted average accompanied by a percentile ranking
🛡️ Any pillar scoring < 30/100 = automatic disqualification
🔎 360° monitoring can make or break your medal
📁 A strong application = concrete, dated, aligned, and concise evidence
🏅 A medal is a strategic advantage to leverage with your clients and partners
Your company's sustainable performance
