Question

What are the key traps to avoid in an EcoVadis assessment?

Six traps consistently cost companies score:

1. Submitting expired documents — anything with a validity date that has passed.
2. Uploading evidence without any affiliation to the assessed entity (no name or logo).
3. Over-investing in areas already well-covered while ignoring weak themes. A minimum score of 30/100 in each of the four themes individually is required to qualify for any medal — a very low score in one theme eliminates eligibility entirely, regardless of the overall average.
4. Presenting planned actions as though they are already implemented — analysts are trained to distinguish commitment language from implementation evidence.
5. Missing Coverage requirements in group assessments by assuming that certifications held at one site count for all.
6. Ignoring 360° Watch findings — a single severe finding, or major findings across multiple themes, triggers medal ineligibility regardless of the questionnaire quality.