ESG
EcoVadis for SMEs: the evidence to have ready before you start
An EcoVadis rating rests on documents, not on promises. What the assessment looks at, how medals are set and what to put in your folder first.
By Brahim Eloidii, Co-Founder, ESG & CSR Lead
Published 8 October 2026 · Sources last checked 22 October 2026
How the assessment works
You register, answer a questionnaire tailored to your company profile and upload supporting files, such as certifications and policies. EcoVadis analysts then turn your answers into a scorecard. EcoVadis describes it as an independent assessment, based on the questionnaire and documents.
The scorecard covers four themes: Environment, Labor and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Your answers and documents are what the analysts have to work with, so a weak folder gives a weak result even in a company that behaves well.
How the medals are set
Medals depend on your percentile, that is, on how your score compares with the other companies EcoVadis has rated. To be eligible you need at least 30 out of 100 in each of the four themes, and a medal is valid for 12 months, the same period as the scorecard.
- Bronze: the top 35% of rated companies.
- Silver: the top 15%.
- Gold: the top 5%.
- Platinum: the top 1%.
Because medals are relative, no one can tell you in advance which one you will get. Be wary of anyone who does.
The evidence an SME can prepare
The table below is our practical list of documents that typically show each area. It is not an official EcoVadis list. The questionnaire is tailored to your profile, so what applies to you will differ.
| Theme | Documents that typically help |
|---|---|
| Environment | Environmental or energy policy, energy and fuel records, waste and water records, emissions estimates, environmental certifications you hold |
| Labor and Human Rights | HR policy, health and safety procedures and incident records, training records, anti-discrimination and grievance procedures |
| Ethics | Code of conduct, anti-corruption policy and training records, data protection measures, a way to report concerns |
| Sustainable Procurement | Supplier code of conduct, supplier screening or evaluation records, sustainability clauses in purchasing contracts |
What makes a document useful
- It is about your company, not a template with your name on it.
- It is dated and approved by management, so it is clear it is in force.
- It shows what you did, not only what you intend: records, training logs, figures.
- It matches what you tell customers elsewhere. The same facts should appear in every questionnaire you answer.
Where to start
- List the documents you already have against the four themes, and mark the gaps.
- Write the missing core policies, and put an owner and a date on each.
- Start keeping the records that prove them: training, incidents, supplier checks, energy use.
- Keep everything in one folder you can reuse for EcoVadis, CDP and customer questionnaires.
- Ask your customers which assessments they use and when they expect your answer.
The free ESG Readiness Check shows where your company stands against what customers typically ask, and what to prepare first, in about ten minutes.
See how your company would fare in an ESG rating
The free ESG Readiness Check gives you your result on screen in about ten minutes.
Sources
- EcoVadis medals and badges. EcoVadis, 22 October 2026.
- EcoVadis: supplier assessments. EcoVadis, 3 March 2026.
General information only. It is not customs, legal, tax or other professional advice.