EcoVadis is not legally mandatory for suppliers, but many large companies require it contractually as part of their procurement processes. While no law forces suppliers to complete EcoVadis assessments, refusing to participate often means losing access to major business opportunities, as buyers increasingly demand sustainability credentials from their supply chain partners.
What is EcoVadis and why do companies use it for supplier assessment?
EcoVadis is a comprehensive sustainability rating platform that evaluates suppliers across environmental, social, and ethical criteria through a digital, evidence-based assessment process. Founded in 2007, it has grown to become the world’s most trusted sustainability assessment, with over 150,000 companies rated today.
The platform assesses companies across four key themes: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Each assessment covers 21 specific indicators and requires extensive documentation to support claims. Companies receive a scorecard that illustrates their performance, making it easy for buyers to compare potential suppliers.
Major corporations integrate EcoVadis into their procurement processes for several key reasons:
- Risk management – Helps identify potential sustainability risks within supply chains before they become costly problems
- Standardisation – Provides consistent evaluation criteria rather than requiring individual questionnaires for each supplier
- Compliance support – Assists companies in meeting their own sustainability reporting and regulatory obligations
- Stakeholder confidence – Demonstrates due diligence to investors, customers, and regulatory bodies
- Efficiency gains – Reduces questionnaire fatigue for suppliers whilst providing reliable, comparable data
This systematic approach transforms sustainability assessment from a fragmented, time-consuming process into a streamlined evaluation tool. The assessment methodology builds on international sustainability standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact, which gives it credibility with stakeholders and regulatory bodies whilst ensuring suppliers are evaluated against recognised best practices.
Is EcoVadis actually mandatory for suppliers by law?
EcoVadis is not legally mandatory anywhere in the world. No government regulation requires suppliers to complete EcoVadis assessments, and companies cannot be fined or penalised by authorities for refusing to participate.
However, there’s a crucial distinction between regulatory requirements and commercial requirements. Whilst EcoVadis isn’t mandated by law, many large companies make it a contractual requirement for their suppliers. This creates a commercial imperative that can feel just as binding as legal obligations.
The confusion often arises because EcoVadis helps companies comply with actual regulatory requirements, such as CSRD reporting obligations and EU Taxonomy disclosures. When buyers face legal requirements to report on their supply chain impacts, they naturally demand sustainability data from their suppliers. EcoVadis provides a structured way to collect and verify this information.
For suppliers, the practical reality is straightforward: whilst you won’t face legal consequences for avoiding EcoVadis, you may lose significant business opportunities. Many procurement departments now refuse to work with suppliers who cannot demonstrate their sustainability credentials through recognised third-party assessments.
When do companies require suppliers to complete EcoVadis assessments?
Companies typically require EcoVadis assessments during tender processes, contract renewals, and when establishing preferred supplier relationships. The requirement often appears as part of due diligence procedures, particularly when buyers face regulatory pressure to monitor their supply chain impacts.
Common scenarios where EcoVadis becomes essential include:
- New supplier onboarding – Companies screen potential partners before establishing relationships to ensure sustainability alignment from the start
- Contract renewal negotiations – Existing suppliers must demonstrate continued sustainability performance to maintain their business relationships
- Preferred supplier programme applications – Access to premium supplier status requires sustainability credentials that differentiate top-tier partners
- Major contract tenders – Large procurement opportunities often include sustainability scoring criteria worth significant percentages of total evaluation points
- Annual supplier reviews – Regular assessments ensure ongoing compliance with sustainability standards and track improvement over time
These requirements reflect a fundamental shift in procurement practices, where sustainability performance has evolved from a nice-to-have differentiator to an essential qualification criterion. The likelihood of facing EcoVadis requirements depends heavily on your industry sector and the size of your potential buyers, with companies in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods sectors particularly likely to demand sustainability assessments. Similarly, suppliers working with multinational corporations or publicly listed companies face higher chances of encountering these requirements, as these organisations typically have stronger regulatory and stakeholder pressures driving their procurement decisions.
How should suppliers prepare for EcoVadis assessments?
Successful EcoVadis preparation requires gathering comprehensive documentation across four assessment themes: environment, labour practices, fair business practices, and sustainable procurement. The process typically takes 6-9 weeks once submitted, so early preparation is essential for meeting deadlines.
Start by collecting key documents well before beginning the questionnaire. You’ll need policies, audit reports, training records, and certifications that demonstrate your sustainability practices. Clear, dated, and official documents work best – preferably in PDF format and labelled clearly for reviewers.
The assessment covers multiple departments, so assign internal responsibility to someone who can coordinate across HR, procurement, operations, and compliance teams. This person should understand your company’s sustainability efforts and have access to relevant documentation from different areas.
Understanding the four themes helps focus your preparation efforts:
- Environment – Energy management, emissions reduction, waste management, and environmental policies that demonstrate your commitment to reducing ecological impact
- Labour practices – Health and safety programmes, working conditions standards, training initiatives, and human rights policies that protect and develop your workforce
- Fair business practices – Anti-corruption measures, data protection protocols, and ethical business conduct policies that ensure transparent operations
- Sustainable procurement – Supplier assessment processes and supply chain sustainability initiatives that extend your values throughout your business network
These four pillars work together to create a comprehensive picture of your organisation’s sustainability maturity, requiring evidence that spans from operational procedures to strategic policies. Honesty throughout the process is crucial, as EcoVadis analysts are experienced at identifying inconsistencies between claims and supporting evidence. Rather than exaggerating your capabilities, focus on accurately representing your current position and demonstrating genuine commitment to improvement, which assessors value highly and can lead to better scores than overstated claims without proper backing.
Getting the right support for EcoVadis success
Understanding whether EcoVadis is mandatory helps you make informed decisions about participating in assessments. Whilst not legally required, the commercial reality is that EcoVadis often becomes essential for accessing major business opportunities and maintaining relationships with large buyers.
The assessment process is comprehensive and requires significant preparation across multiple business areas. Success depends on having the right expertise to navigate the complex requirements and present your sustainability efforts effectively.
At Dazzle, we understand that tackling EcoVadis assessments can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re managing other business priorities. Our network of pre-screened sustainability experts includes specialists who focus specifically on EcoVadis preparation and can guide you through every step of the process. Whether you need help with documentation, policy development, or score improvement strategies, we can connect you with the right expertise within 48 hours. Ready to approach your EcoVadis assessment with confidence? Reach out to our team of experts today.
