Article

What does it take to be a top EcoVadis performer? From Silver to Gold

In brief

Expert insight — François Dequenne: at Gold, the question is: are those systems genuinely working, fully deployed, and visible to the outside world? That's a meaningful shift — and it's where I see many Silver holders stall. The companies that break through to Gold consistently do a few specific things differently: SMART, quantitative targets, not just qualitative commitments; a public sustainability report complying with a recognised standard — not just internal reporting; documented measures for every activated criterion, and more. As of May 2026, Gold sits at 81/100, up from 77 just a year ago — moving faster than any other medal level in the first half of 2026. Silver holders with scores in the low-to-mid 70s have less margin than their percentile position suggests, and the 8-point gap between Silver and Gold is not evenly distributed across the scorecard. Knowing exactly where to focus makes the difference.

What does Gold represent?

The Gold Medal is reserved for the top 5% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis in the last 12 months. In 2024 that meant a score around 73/100; as of May 2026 it means approximately 81. Reaching it requires meeting and exceeding the criteria for Bronze and Silver and taking a much more detailed approach to sustainability management. It demands time and investment — and it represents a major step in stakeholder engagement and in driving your sustainability strategy forward.

What does consistent and comprehensive actually mean?

Given the much stricter criteria at Gold level, the key phrase throughout the assessment is "consistent and comprehensive."

For Bronze or Silver, complete evidence for all activated criteria is not necessary. For Gold, you need relevant evidence for as many activated criteria as possible. There is still room for some gaps — but not in the activated criteria most relevant to your business. Take the time to triage your activated criteria: identify where your evidence gaps are and whether they sit in the areas most material to your organisation.

For example: a dairy farm cooperative lacking evidence for its biodiversity strategy should focus its effort there. A manufacturer must provide solid evidence on its health and safety strategy. And for most companies aiming for Gold, adequate evidence of a proactive engagement strategy with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders is critical.

What counts as Gold-standard evidence?

The right supporting evidence is vital. It includes codes of conduct, sustainability reports, records of recent external audits, and training materials — all sufficiently recent, relevant and complete.

One type of evidence is essential for both Gold and Platinum: evidence of effective reporting. Your material should demonstrate that you have set quantitative goals and have an achievable plan in place for meeting them.

How do you monitor and measure progress effectively?

Show the frameworks you use to monitor progress: KPI dashboards and policy documents describing your monitoring practices. Include KPIs for stakeholders in your value chain — suppliers and customers — to show you address your company's impacts beyond your own gates.

How do you demonstrate leadership commitment?

Senior management involvement improves the assessment for two reasons. First, Gold requires more financial and time investment than Bronze or Silver: management buy-in must be ongoing all year round, sustained through targeted training and regular strategy update sessions. Second, Gold requires demonstrating that sustainability management is embedded in business strategy: executives participating in industry sustainability forums or conferences show that commitment; an integrated annual report with a dedicated sustainability statement documents it. Working this way, your EcoVadis score improves as the organisation's sustainability maturity grows.

Key takeaways

• Gold = top 5% of all rated companies; approximately 81/100 as of May 2026, up from 77 a year earlier — the fastest-rising medal level in early 2026.
• The watchwords are "consistent and comprehensive": evidence for nearly all activated criteria, with no gaps in the most material ones.
• SMART quantitative targets and a public sustainability report to a recognised standard separate Gold candidates from Silver holders.
• KPI dashboards should extend to the value chain: suppliers and customers.
• Leadership commitment must be visible, budgeted and embedded in business strategy.