EcoVadis for an industrial company – what is it, how does it work and how to get a medal?

What is EcoVadis?

EcoVadis is a global platform that assesses the activities of companies in the field of sustainable development, i.e., the environment, human rights, business ethics, and responsible purchasing practices. The assessment model is based on international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), ISO 26000, and the UN Global Compact Principles. Since its inception in 2007, EcoVadis has assessed over 130,000 companies from 180 countries and over 220 industries.

The aim of the assessment is to provide a transparent and comparable presentation of a company's ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) results, which allows for the development of responsible enterprises and supply chains. Additionally, when considering the choice of a company from abroad or outside the EU, for example, the investor can be sure that the EcoVadis assessment standard is the same for all companies examined, regardless of the procedures and regulations in force in a given region.

How does the EcoVadis assessment system work?

The EcoVadis assessment system is a structured process of verifying a company's ESG activities, which takes place in digital form and is adapted to the specifics of the industry and the size of the company. After registering on the EcoVadis platform, the company receives an individual questionnaire, the content of which depends on several factors: the sector of activity, the country of operation, and the number of employees. This allows for a reliable and comparable assessment between entities with a similar profile.

The questionnaire consists of questions from four areas:

• Environment – emission management, energy consumption, waste management, environmental certificates,
• Labour & Human Rights – working conditions, equal opportunities, health and safety, counteracting discrimination,
• Ethics – counteracting corruption, compliance with regulations, transparency of activities,
• Sustainable Procurement – purchasing policies, supplier evaluation, responsibility in the supply chain.

The company must attach source documents to each of the areas that confirm the implementation of the described practices – these may include, among others: policies, procedures, annual reports, certificates (e.g., ISO 14001), codes of ethics, training records, and even screenshots from internal systems.

Once the documentation is submitted, the EcoVadis team of analysts conducts a detailed assessment – each piece of information is verified for quality, credibility, and currency. The company then receives a scorecard with a score from 0 to 100 and a detailed report containing strengths and areas for improvement. The assessment is also accompanied by information on the percentile, i.e., the company's position relative to other organizations.

The EcoVadis assessment is valid for 12 months and can be shared with clients and business partners without the need to conduct multiple separate audits for each area. Companies can also take corrective action and be reassessed after some time to improve the score. This makes the EcoVadis system also a platform for continuous improvement in the ESG area.

What are EcoVadis awards?

EcoVadis awards take the form of medals and badges that confirm a company's level of advancement in the field of sustainable development. They are awarded based on a score and position relative to other companies (percentile).

Types of EcoVadis medals:

• Platinum medal – for the top 1% of companies (percentile 99+),
• Gold medal – for the top 5% of companies (percentile 95–99),
• Silver medal – for the top 15% of companies (percentile 85–94),
• Bronze medal – for the top 35% of companies (percentile 65–84).

To receive a medal, a company must obtain at least 30 points in each of the four evaluation categories.

EcoVadis badges:

• Committed – min. 45 points in the overall assessment,
• Fast Mover – an increase in the result by at least 6 points in 18 months (final result from 34 to 44 points).

Who can receive the EcoVadis medal?

EcoVadis is available to companies of all sizes and industries, operating both locally and globally. Both corporations and SMEs are assessed. This makes the EcoVadis assessment a useful tool for manufacturers, service companies, suppliers, or distributors who want to confirm the quality of their ESG activities. It is worth emphasizing that more and more global corporations expect their partners to have a current EcoVadis assessment. This means that obtaining the medal may be a condition for participation in the supply chain of large companies.

At DB Energy, we have already won the EcoVadis medal four times – the most recent, a gold one, in February 2025. We have two gold medals, one silver, and one bronze. As a small enterprise, just like any other assessed company, we had to present appropriate documents confirming the level of each of the four areas. These were, for example, ISO certifications, training documentation, confirmation of management standards, or applicable health and safety procedures.

Although the EcoVadis rating system is available to companies of all sizes and industries, the awarding of a medal is not guaranteed even after the assessment is completed. EcoVadis has introduced clear exclusion criteria that prevent the award even if the company's overall score is high.

The EcoVadis medal cannot be awarded to a company that:

• does not reach the minimum score level in one of the assessment pillars. Even if the overall score exceeds the threshold for the medal, a score that is too low (below 30/100) in any of the four areas (environment, human rights, ethics, sustainable procurement) automatically eliminates the company from the award.
• has been assessed as a high-risk company. Companies from sectors considered particularly sensitive (e.g., extraction of raw materials and fuels, weapons production, or tobacco) may be excluded from the medal system regardless of the result.
• is subject to serious legal or regulatory proceedings, or has been punished for breaking the law – especially in the areas of environmental protection, human rights, fair competition, or anti-corruption.

Thanks to these strict criteria, the EcoVadis medal system remains a credible confirmation of the quality of ESG activities, and awards are only granted to companies that actually implement sustainable practices and not just declare such intentions.

How to prepare for the EcoVadis assessment?

Effective preparation for the EcoVadis assessment requires the involvement of many departments and a structured approach. The most important thing is a comprehensive approach to ESG issues, which should be well-documented and verifiable. Below are a few steps that can increase the chances of obtaining a high assessment:

Analysis of the current state

First, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis of existing policies, procedures, and practices in the fields of the environment, ethics, human rights, and sustainable purchasing. It is also important to identify any gaps and determine corrective actions.

Development and implementation of policies

It is necessary to prepare and adopt formal documents, such as an environmental policy, code of ethics, human rights policy, and guidelines for responsible purchasing. These documents should be realistically applied and adapted to the specifics of the organization.

Collection of documentation

EcoVadis expects evidence confirming the implemented actions. For this purpose, appropriate documentation should be collected, e.g., environmental reports, ISO certificates (e.g., ISO 14001, ISO 45001), audit results, health and safety instructions, training documentation, procedures for reporting irregularities, or supplier assessments.

Ensuring consistency and transparency

Not only the existence of documents is assessed, but also their currency, mutual compatibility, and practical application. It is important that all presented materials are logically related and clearly present the company's ESG strategy.

Involvement of various departments of the organization

The preparation process should take into account cooperation between HR, purchasing, quality, health and safety, CSR departments, and management. EcoVadis evaluates the activities of the entire organization – not just individual cells – which is why consistent internal communication and involvement at all levels of the structure are important.

What are the advantages of having the EcoVadis medal?

Winning the EcoVadis distinction brings many benefits, especially business- and image-related:

The EcoVadis medal is a strong argument in talks with clients and partners, especially those requiring real ESG activities,

• many global recipients (e.g., Unilever, BASF, Nestlé) require suppliers to have a current EcoVadis assessment,
• the assessment allows you to identify areas for improvement and implement better management practices,
• EcoVadis result increases credibility in the eyes of clients, investors, and employees,
• the platform allows you to easily share results with clients and use them in ESG reports.

"For DB Energy, the EcoVadis medal is more than just a distinction, it is a tool for continuous improvement. The gold medal is an important signal for us – confirmation that as a consulting and engineering company, we not only support clients in achieving sustainable development goals, but we also operate in a manner consistent with ESG values. In the world of industry, it is credibility, transparency, and specific data that determine trust and competitive advantage. EcoVadis allows us to prove it – in a measurable, internationally recognizable, and comparable way between companies. Thanks to this, we can build a stronger position in tenders and B2B relations, but also engage the entire team in activities that really matter – for clients, the environment, and the market." – Dorota Jeżewska, CMO at DB Energy.

What are the challenges and limitations?

Although the EcoVadis system brings many benefits, it is worth being aware of some potential difficulties:

• collecting documents and filling out the questionnaire requires commitment and time, especially during the first assessment,
• participation in the assessment process involves a subscription fee (from several hundred to several thousand euros per year, depending on the selected package),
• EcoVadis primarily assesses documents, which may not fully reflect actual activities, especially in smaller companies.

Summary

The EcoVadis assessment is not only a chance to win a prestigious distinction, but above all a tool for building the company's image in the context of ESG. For companies from many industries, including industrial companies, it is a real opportunity to show that they operate in a responsible manner, in line with international standards and the expectations of global business partners. Although the process of preparing for the assessment requires time and commitment, the effects can significantly impact the company's development – both by increasing customer trust and streamlining internal processes. It is therefore worth treating the EcoVadis assessment as an investment in the future of the organization and a gateway to participating in tenders, especially with large companies that emphasize ESG.