Understanding EcoVadis rating expectations: scoring system, required evidence, preparing for the assessment, FAQ
The EcoVadis platform evaluates the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) performance of companies around the world.
It provides sustainability and ethical practice ratings and assessments for companies, covering areas such as the environment, human rights, business ethics, and sustainable procurement.
We don't talk about an EcoVadis certification, but rather an EcoVadis rating, because it is a CSR assessment that issues a score rather than a certification.
The EcoVadis CSR rating system is based on an assessment of your company's CSR performance across four themes:
1. Environment
2. Labor & Human Rights
3. Ethics
4. Sustainable Procurement
The assessment process is carried out via an online questionnaire to be completed on the platform, with supporting evidence to be provided. This questionnaire is customized based on:
- Your company's size (XS to L),
- Your industry (themes are weighted differently depending on the key issues in your sector),
- Your country, taking into account the local regulatory framework.
Once your file has been analyzed and evaluated, EcoVadis assigns you an overall score between 0 and 100, which allows you to earn a medal (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.) based on your standing relative to other companies. This standing is determined by percentile, meaning your relative rank among all companies assessed.
This means that even if your score doesn't change, your medal can shift from one year to the next if the performance of other companies improves: continuous improvement is therefore essential.
Example: An overall score between 86 and 100 might earn you a Gold medal today, but next year you might need an overall score between 89 and 100 to get that same Gold medal. If you don't change anything and you go through the assessment again, you could be awarded a Silver medal instead.
Each theme is analyzed through 21 ESG criteria, divided into 3 levels of engagement:
What you claim to do
Examples: formalized CSR commitments (environmental, social, and governance), internal charters, codes of conduct, quantified and dated CSR goals, social policy...
What you are actually putting in place
Examples: ISO standards, labels, training, impact reduction programs, internal procedures, field actions...
What you measure and track
Examples: indicators tracked over 1 to 3 years, external audits, carbon footprint / GHG assessment (total greenhouse gas emissions), reporting aligned with frameworks (Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), SASB)...
EcoVadis expects concrete and verifiable documents to justify your sustainability commitments, actions, and results. Here are the main types of evidence requested by the platform, by theme:
💡 Good to know: The CSR report alone is not enough (it is self-declaratory). Additional evidence is required, and the number of documents is limited, so you must select the most relevant and verifiable ones.
Getting a good EcoVadis rating isn't just about conscientiously filling out a questionnaire. It’s a truly transformative project that can become a powerful lever for driving sustainable improvements in your CSR performance.
Here are the keys to boosting your score and getting the most out of the process.
Improving your score starts with rigorous organization. It is essential to appoint a project manager to methodically coordinate the entire process and to assemble a team with expertise relevant to the CSR issues being assessed (environmental, social, governance, ethics, and sustainable procurement).
A clear timeline will help you anticipate every step: data collection, documentation drafting, internal discussions, approvals, and more. Finally, a well-defined action plan will ensure nothing falls through the cracks and that the whole team is aligned on priorities.
EcoVadis expects concrete evidence to assess your company's overall CSR performance.
Your CSR report is a valuable asset: it allows you to consolidate your sustainability commitments, goals, actions, and KPIs into a single document, while addressing multiple questions in the questionnaire.
However, be mindful of the 55-document limit imposed by the platform. It is essential to be strategic: avoid overly long or generic files, and prioritize clear, dated, well-structured documents that feature your company name or logo.
⏱️ A quick note on document validity periods:
A good score isn't about intentions; it’s about concrete actions already in place. Set clear goals, establish solid CSR governance (who is in charge of what?), build a strategy and a carbon transition plan, and above all… measure your impact and progress with reliable indicators.
EcoVadis evaluates your results just as much as your commitments. It’s not about checking boxes; it’s about demonstrating a real, lasting momentum.
Every company assessed is assigned specific key issues based on its sector, size, location, and more. To get the best possible score, it is essential to focus your efforts and documentation on these priority topics.
A few common mistakes can hurt your score:
In short, EcoVadis is much more than just a compliance exercise: it’s an opportunity to structure your CSR approach for the long term, make it more credible, and demonstrate your commitment to your clients, partners, and employees.
During our last EcoVadis webinar, which you can watch here: link, many of you asked us the following questions:
- Are companies' EcoVadis results public?
EcoVadis makes the medal you earn public, but does not disclose your specific score.
- Will my EcoVadis score be visible to other companies?
The EcoVadis score is not directly visible to other companies. Each company receives private access to its own report and results.
Voluntary sharing depends on the subscription plan you choose:
Other companies that have completed their EcoVadis assessment can request access to your medal; you are free to accept or decline the request.
- Will an order for an ISO27001 audit be accepted as evidence for EcoVadis?
You must provide the final official certificate; an order or a simple audit report will not be accepted as evidence.
- Are EcoVadis medals awarded based on industry sector, or by taking into account the progress of all sectors combined?
Medals are awarded by taking all industry sectors into account together.
- Is QUALIOPI certification eligible as evidence for EcoVadis?
Qualiopi certification is not accepted as evidence for EcoVadis.
- How can I contest my EcoVadis result?
You can contest an EcoVadis assessment, but there is a well-defined framework for doing so.
Here is how it works:
- Can you retake EcoVadis in the same year?
You can absolutely retake an EcoVadis assessment within the same year. However, we recommend not rushing into it.
Before requesting a new rating, it is best to take the time to implement a structured improvement plan for your CSR strategy. This not only helps address the weaknesses identified in your first assessment but also significantly boosts your chances of achieving a higher score next time.
- Am I really required to retake the EcoVadis assessment every year?
Yes, if you want to maintain your rating. EcoVadis operates on a continuous assessment system: each rating is valid for 12 months from the date the score is published.
Once this period ends, your scorecard becomes "expired" and is no longer visible to your business partners (clients, buyers, etc.).
- Are there other assessments like EcoVadis for B2B companies?
Not really. EcoVadis remains the most recognized standard in B2B value chains today, particularly in industry, procurement, and tender processes.
While other labels or frameworks exist (such as B Corp, Lucie, or ISO 26000), they are less commonly requested in supplier relationships and less integrated into procurement platforms.
If your goal is to meet client or supplier requirements or to showcase your efforts to stakeholders, EcoVadis remains the benchmark assessment.
Your company's sustainable performance
