Have you ever wondered what makes a supplier stand out in today’s business world? One key factor is having a good EcoVadis rating. This rating shows how well your company handles sustainability. A good rating starts at 45 points or higher, which gets you a Bronze medal. But what counts as “good” really depends on your industry and what your buyers are looking for.
Many companies today want their suppliers to have Silver ratings (55-64 points) or Gold ratings (65-74 points). These higher scores show that you take sustainability seriously. They look at how you handle the environment, treat workers, follow ethical practices, and buy from other sustainable companies.
What is EcoVadis and why do supplier ratings matter?
EcoVadis is a digital platform that checks how well companies use sustainability in their daily work. Think of it like a report card for how green and ethical your business is. The platform looks at four main areas: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
Companies now ask their suppliers for EcoVadis ratings because they face pressure from governments and customers. Large organisations must show they care about sustainability. They also need to make sure all their suppliers follow high standards too.
This means many buyers now demand proof that their suppliers work sustainably. Some companies will not work with suppliers unless they have been checked by a trusted company like EcoVadis. Having good sustainability practices helps build trust and reduces risks from environmental and social problems.
For suppliers, getting a good EcoVadis rating opens doors to new business opportunities. It can also reduce the number of questionnaires you need to fill out. Many companies now accept EcoVadis scorecards instead of their own sustainability forms.
What EcoVadis score is considered good for suppliers?
The EcoVadis rating scale goes from 0 to 100 points. There are different medal levels that show how well you are doing:
- Bronze (45-54 points): Shows basic sustainability compliance with fundamental policies in place
- Silver (55-64 points): Shows strong performance with well-developed policies and measurable results
- Gold (65-74 points): Shows advanced practices with comprehensive management systems and continuous improvement
- Platinum (75+ points): Shows exceptional leadership with industry-leading practices and innovative approaches
These medal levels help both suppliers and buyers understand sustainability performance. Your industry, company size, and location all affect how your score compares to others. Most buyers today consider Silver ratings as the minimum for good sustainability performance.
Many companies prefer Gold status suppliers who show advanced commitment to being environmentally and socially responsible. However, what counts as “good” depends on your specific buyers and industry standards. Some companies set minimum EcoVadis scores in their supplier requirements, while others use the ratings as one factor in choosing suppliers.
How can suppliers improve their EcoVadis rating?
Improving your EcoVadis rating needs a systematic approach across all four assessment areas. This means focusing on creating good policies, gathering quality documents, and making real sustainability improvements. The key is to show concrete evidence, not just basic compliance statements.
Start with policy development by creating comprehensive, dated policies for environmental management, labour practices, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Make sure these policies are specific to your operations and update them regularly. Document everything with audit reports, training records, and supplier assessments.
For environmental performance, implement energy management systems and waste reduction programmes with measurable targets. Establish worker safety programmes and diversity initiatives for labour and human rights. Develop anti-corruption policies and whistleblower systems for ethics enhancement.
The EcoVadis assessment rewards systematic improvement over perfection. It recognises companies that show transparency about areas they need to develop. Success requires understanding that analysts look for concrete evidence of embedded sustainability practices, not just policy statements.
What happens if suppliers don’t meet EcoVadis rating requirements?
Suppliers who fail to meet EcoVadis rating requirements face potential exclusion from business opportunities. Many companies now use sustainability scorecards as gatekeepers for their supplier panels. This can lead to immediate removal from tender processes and loss of preferred supplier status.
Other consequences include requirements for costly improvement programmes before contracts can be renewed. You might face industry-wide recognition as a low-performing supplier, which can affect relationships with other potential buyers. This creates competitive disadvantage and isolation from major buyers who prioritise sustainability.
- Contract disqualification and removal from tender processes
- Requirements for improvement programmes and additional audits before contract renewal
- Reputational damage affecting relationships with other potential buyers
- Increased scrutiny leading to higher compliance costs and administrative burden
However, the situation is not necessarily final for suppliers with poor initial ratings. Most buyers understand that sustainability improvement takes time and investment. They typically offer improvement timelines of 12 to 24 months for suppliers to address identified weaknesses.
Many buyers provide support or guidance to help key suppliers meet required standards. This collaborative approach recognises that building sustainable supply chains benefits everyone. The key is treating EcoVadis assessment as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time hurdle.
Ready to improve your supplier sustainability rating?
EcoVadis assessments are complex and high stakes. Getting a strong rating requires expertise across multiple sustainability areas, including environmental management and supply chain ethics. The assessment process demands detailed documentation and a clear understanding of what EcoVadis analysts are looking for.
At Dazzle, we understand the complexity of sustainability assessments and how important it is to get them right. Our flexible approach means you can access pre-screened EcoVadis experts who know exactly what it takes to achieve impressive scores.
Whether you need support with policy development, documentation gathering, or complete assessment management, our specialists can guide you through every step. We can connect you with the right expertise within 48 hours, so you don’t have to navigate this challenging process alone.
Ready to strengthen your sustainability scorecard? Reach out to our team of experts today.
