Question

How important is the free-text comment field, and what should go in it?

EcoVadis analysts read the comment fields, but points are never awarded on comments alone — the field supplements documentation, it does not replace it. A well-written comment alongside a weak or missing document will not improve the score for that question. The field sits outside the 55-document limit and has an effectively unrestricted capacity.

Its best use is narrow but valuable: directing the analyst to specific sections within a document — the exact page or clause where a quantitative target appears, or where a confidentiality clause is documented. Everything material must be in the uploaded documents; the comment gives context to what is already there, never new standalone claims. Keep comments as brief as possible: a precise reference beats a lengthy explanation.