What evidence does EcoVadis accept?

36 entries.

• ArticleAnti-corruption, harassment and discrimination pack: simple small actions for a Belgian SME

  Ten anti-corruption actions plus a harassment and discrimination set: simple, credible and documentable steps for a Belgian SME.

• QuestionCan a general policy without specific targets be paired with a separate targets document?

  Yes: EcoVadis distinguishes qualitative objectives from quantitative targets, and targets may live in a report or a standalone plan.

• ArticleDiversity, corruption, child labour: what to answer when "none of that happens here" (templates)

  Diversity, corruption, social reporting, child labour: four subjects believed not applicable that are in fact documentable with simple evidence.

• QuestionDo HQ-level certifications apply to subsidiaries — and what counts as an operational site?

  HQ certifications feed the Certifications indicator in a group assessment, but Coverage measures how far they actually extend across sites.

• QuestionDo we need four or more measures per criterion? How are "strengths" calculated?

  Measures scoring rests on strengths per activated criterion: 100/100 needs four or more per criterion and coverage above 65%.

• QuestionExternal documents were rejected for missing the company name or logo — what should we do?

  Every document must carry an affiliation with the assessed entity — name or logo — without exception, including documents from a provider.

• QuestionFor first-time assessments and SMEs: what are the most common documentation gaps?

  Four gaps recur in SMEs: no public report, a code of conduct without acknowledgement evidence, a procurement policy without sustainability criteria.

• QuestionHave documentation quality expectations become more stringent compared to previous cycles?

  Yes: review standards now demand genuine implementation evidence and framework-aligned data, with a stricter reading of GRI in accordance with.

• QuestionHow can SMEs improve their Certifications score affordably?

  Third-party sustainability audits are the most accessible route: a SMETA audit covers Labour at one site and is widely accepted.

• QuestionHow does EcoVadis assess supply-chain engagement for small companies?

  Same Sustainable Procurement indicators, expectations calibrated to scale: the minimum is a procurement policy referencing sustainability criteria.

• QuestionHow does EcoVadis evaluate the maturity of an existing ISO-based management system?

  EcoVadis does not audit: it assesses the documents you provide. A valid, in-scope ISO certificate is the primary evidence.

• ArticleHow does EcoVadis take climate risks into consideration?

  ENV7003, added in Q1 2026 for size S companies and up, requires evidence of a physical climate risk and watershed-related risk assessment.

• QuestionHow does the 55-document limit work — and should we combine documents into one?

  The 55-document limit applies per assessment cycle, not cumulatively: documents already submitted can be reattached without using the new quota.

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

  Analysts read comments but never award points on comments alone: the field is there to point them to the exact page of a document.

• QuestionHow should asset-light or professional-services companies present environmental evidence?

  Fewer criteria activate: water and biodiversity are rarely material for a consultancy; energy, Scope 1-2 GHGs and waste remain in play.

• ArticleHow to manage your raw materials and chemicals

  ENV3522 assesses nine sub-actions on raw materials and chemicals, from process optimisation to substituting hazardous substances.

• QuestionIs documentation issued in the name of a parent or sister company accepted?

  Parent company documents are accepted when they cover the assessed entity; reporting counts only if it is disaggregated by entity.

• QuestionShould automatically rejected documents be deleted or kept?

  Keep them: rejected documents do not count against the submission, and the rejection reason stays visible in the Score Details.

• ArticleWhat actions against external environmental disruptions?

  ENV7012 asks for two families of actions: adaptive practices built into operations, and documented emergency reserves or safety nets.

• QuestionWhat are the key traps to avoid in an EcoVadis assessment?

  Six traps consistently cost points: expired documents, evidence unlinked to the assessed entity, ignored weak themes, merely planned actions.

• ArticleWhat are the main practical tips for a successful EcoVadis assessment?

  Five families of field-tested EcoVadis tips: organise the team, scope correctly, respect deadlines, prove everything, review before sending.

• ArticleWhat are the most useful EcoVadis tips? The essentials for beginners and reassessed companies

  A two-track EcoVadis cheat sheet: nine steps for a first assessment, and the route to follow when you are being reassessed.

• QuestionWhat are the quality and validity requirements for documents, and what makes a strong policy?

  Relevance, completeness and recency: a document must carry the company name or logo and a date, and be issued over a month before submission.

• ArticleWhat can you do better on waste management?

  ENV3549 assesses five waste sub-actions: internal reduction, sorting training, sorting by stream, stream inventory, and further actions.

• QuestionWhat distinguishes evidence for a basic score from evidence that drives Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum?

  What changes from one medal to the next is not the type of evidence but its depth, its coverage and its credibility.

• QuestionWhat exactly counts as a "measure"?

  A measure is a concrete action, implemented or actively under way, specific and evidenced. A stated intention is not a measure.

• QuestionWhat is the best way to document and present a significant CO₂ emissions reduction?

  Use the reduction in three places: a quantified KPI under Reporting, an action document under Measures, and consistency between the two.

• QuestionWhat makes a high-quality Ethics policy, and which controls should be documented?

  Explicit anti-corruption and anti-fraud commitments, prohibited behaviours listed, information security provisions and a documented reporting channel.

• QuestionWhat quantitative objectives does EcoVadis expect for zero-tolerance topics like child labour and corruption?

  For zero-tolerance topics EcoVadis expects control-based evidence — prohibition, due diligence, training — rather than reduction targets.

• ArticleWhat should you do about your suppliers? Sustainable Procurement measures

  SUP307 assesses nine Sustainable Procurement sub-actions. Golden rule: only tick what a dedicated document can actually prove.

• QuestionWhat type of evidence best demonstrates actual implementation, versus just having policies on paper?

  Training records, internal audit reports, procedures and third-party certifications: what proves implementation beyond paper policies.

• QuestionWhich certifications are realistically achievable per theme — do we need all ISO standards?

  No, not all of them: ISO 14001 and 50001 for Environment, ISO 45001 for Labour, ISO 37001 and 27001 for Ethics cover the essentials.

• ArticleWhich environmental data do you need to collect for EcoVadis?

  Energy, water, air pollutants, waste: the quantified indicators the EcoVadis Environment theme expects, with their units and perimeter.

• ArticleWhich HR and social data do you need to collect for EcoVadis?

  Hours worked, days lost, training, diversity: the five HR indicators the Labor & Human Rights theme systematically expects to see.

• ArticleWhich supporting documents can you provide when you run a very small (XS) company?

  An XS company gets about ten questions and may provide less formalised evidence — but some documents remain mandatory all the same.

• QuestionWhy was a KPI attachment accepted one year but rejected on resubmission?

  Usually expiry: KPI and reporting documents are valid for a maximum of two years from the reporting period they cover.