EcoVadis is a leading global sustainability rating platform that evaluates companies on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, providing a trusted benchmark for responsible business practices. As we move through 2025, sustainable supply chains and corporate accountability have become key priorities for investors, partners, and consumers alike. A stronger EcoVadis score not only enhances supplier eligibility and investor confidence but also elevates brand reputation and ensures alignment with global ESG compliance frameworks. Ready to raise your score and achieve your next medal? Here are 8 proven, actionable ways to strengthen your EcoVadis performance and move closer to your next medal.
What Is an EcoVadis Score?
An EcoVadis score (0–100) measures a company’s sustainability performance across four key themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The EcoVadis assessment evaluates organizations using the Policies, Actions, and Results (P-A-R) framework to ensure a comprehensive review of sustainability practices. Scores determine medal levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — based on a company’s percentile ranking among peers. Additionally, EcoVadis includes a 360° Watch feature, which incorporates external data from media, government, and NGO sources to verify credibility and identify potential risks. This process provides a trusted benchmark for responsible business performance.
How the Scoring Works
The EcoVadis scoring system evaluates a company’s sustainability performance through verified documents, certifications, and evidence across four key pillars: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Scores are tailored based on the company’s size, location, and industry, ensuring fair and relevant benchmarking. The EcoVadis methodology 2025 emphasizes strong, traceable documentation and measurable impact as essential for achieving higher ratings. Importantly, the “weakest link” rule applies—if any theme scores below the minimum threshold, the company cannot receive a medal. This holistic approach encourages continuous improvement and balanced sustainability performance across all assessed areas.
8 Proven Ways to Improve Your EcoVadis Score
Boost your EcoVadis score with eight proven strategies: enhance sustainability policies, ensure ethical sourcing, track emissions, promote diversity, and report transparently.
Analyze Your Current Scorecard Thoroughly
Start with your latest EcoVadis assessment report and review it carefully. Identify areas where scores are low and note any rejected documents. Use the Scorecard Inquiry feature or analyst feedback to understand the reasons behind these gaps. Prioritize improvements in areas that will have the greatest positive impact on your overall score.
Strengthen Policies Across All Four Themes
Strengthen your organization’s impact by developing or updating formal policies across four key themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Procurement. Each policy should clearly outline objectives, assign responsibilities, and include measurable targets to track progress. Avoid vague statements of intent; instead, use precise, actionable language that demonstrates real commitment. For example, specify how environmental goals will be achieved, how labor standards are monitored, or how ethical practices are enforced.
Back Policies With Tangible Actions
We turn commitments into real results. Our EcoVadis action plan includes tangible initiatives like carbon-reduction programs, worker-safety training, anti-bribery workshops, and supplier audits. Each activity is carefully recorded with dates, participants, outcomes, and supporting proof, ensuring accountability and transparency. We regularly update this documentation to keep evidence current, typically within the past one to two years. By sharing these examples of EcoVadis initiatives, we demonstrate our dedication to responsible business practices and measurable progress. Real actions, real records, and real impact—our back policies are more than promises; they are proof of sustainable change.
Track and Communicate Measurable Results
we help you track and communicate measurable sustainability results with clarity and confidence. Easily report key outcomes such as emission reductions, the number of suppliers audited, and improvements in compliance rates. Our approach is backed by trusted third-party verifications, including ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and SA8000, giving your data credibility and integrity. We prioritize transparency, making it simple to share verified results in your sustainability or ESG reports. By turning complex metrics into clear, actionable insights, we empower your organization to demonstrate real progress, build stakeholder trust, and make informed decisions for a more sustainable future.
Use the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Feature
Easily track and manage your sustainability improvements with the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) feature. Identify areas for improvement, assign responsibilities, and monitor progress—all in one place. Upload proof of completed actions to keep your records organized and transparent. For Premium accounts, CAP documents can be linked directly to your next assessment, saving time and ensuring continuity. This feature helps your team stay accountable, focused, and efficient while driving measurable sustainability progress.
Focus on High-Impact or Weak Themes
To improve low EcoVadis theme scores, focus on high-impact or weak themes first. Each theme carries a different weight depending on your industry, so identifying where improvements yield the biggest score gain is key. Prioritize underdeveloped or weak areas to create a balanced performance across all four themes, ensuring no single area lags behind. A targeted approach not only strengthens overall sustainability efforts but also maximizes your medal potential. By implementing a clear EcoVadis weak area strategy, organizations can systematically enhance scores, address gaps efficiently, and maintain consistent performance across every assessed theme.
Involve the Whole Organization
Creating a sustainable organization requires everyone’s involvement. Sustainability isn’t just one department’s job — HR, operations, procurement, and compliance all play a role. Start by holding internal awareness sessions so employees understand the impact of their actions. Integrate sustainability into performance reviews and key performance indicators to make it a tangible part of daily work. Encourage staff to take part in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, whether through volunteering, idea sharing, or resource-saving practices. When everyone contributes, sustainability becomes part of the company culture, fostering responsibility, engagement, and long-term positive impact for both people and the planet.
Leverage Certifications and External Commitments
Leverage certifications and external commitments to boost your organization’s credibility and sustainability performance. Obtaining globally recognized certifications, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, or ISO 37001 for anti-bribery management, demonstrates your commitment to best practices. Additionally, participating in initiatives like the UN Global Compact or the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) shows that your organization aligns with international sustainability goals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent error is submitting policies without showing how they are actually implemented—documents alone aren’t enough. Providing outdated or generic materials can also hurt your evaluation, as reviewers look for current, tailored evidence. Ignoring feedback from previously rejected submissions is another pitfall; learning from past comments is key. Some organizations focus too heavily on one theme while neglecting others, creating imbalances in their assessment. Lastly, treating EcoVadis as a one-time audit rather than a tool for continuous improvement limits long-term benefits. Consistent, thoughtful updates across all areas lead to stronger results.
Continuous Improvement Mindset
A continuous improvement mindset means always looking for ways to do better, not just ticking boxes. Reassess your processes at least once a year, even before the next EcoVadis cycle, to spot gaps and opportunities early. Use internal dashboards to track progress, measure results, and make data-driven decisions. Keep yourself informed about updates in EcoVadis methodology and any changes in ESG regulations to stay ahead. Focus on embedding sustainable practices into your company culture, rather than pursuing quick fixes for compliance. Over time, this approach builds resilience, drives meaningful impact, and ensures your organization consistently improves.
Conclusion
Improving your EcoVadis score isn’t just about earning recognition — it’s about embedding sustainable practices that strengthen your business for the future. Every insight from your scorecard highlights opportunities to reduce risks, increase efficiency, and build trust with partners and customers. The key is to start small but act consistently: review your scorecard, set clear, achievable goals, and implement changes step by step. By turning assessment into action, you transform a report into a roadmap for growth.
