EcoVadis Journey: Self-assessment vs. expert guidance - Which is right for you?

“The EcoVadis assessment provides a comprehensive framework for your company to demonstrate your sustainability practices, commitments and programs transparently. Leverage the rating and benchmarking to meet procurement requirements, identify improvement areas, and highlight leadership”

EcoVadis Journey: Self-assessment vs. expert guidance – Which is right for you?

In today’s business landscape, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability is crucial. EcoVadis, a leading provider of business sustainability ratings, has emerged as a vital tool for organisations seeking to enhance their sustainability practices. However, a common question arises: should you navigate the EcoVadis assessment process alone, or seek expert EcoVadis support?

Understanding the EcoVadis landscape

The EcoVadis assessment evaluates companies across four key pillars: environment, labour & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. This comprehensive approach offers businesses a holistic view of their sustainability performance, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The EcoVadis methodology focuses on policies, actions, and results, providing valuable insights that can shape strategic decision-making and drive continuous improvement in sustainability efforts.

Read more about how to prepare for your EcoVadis assessment here.

The solo voyage: Tackling EcoVadis in-house

The appeal of managing the EcoVadis assessment internally often stems from a desire for cost control and leveraging existing in-house expertise. For some organisations, a DIY approach might seem the most logical and efficient route. However, it is essential to honestly assess your organisation’s capabilities and resources before embarking on this solo voyage.

The choice to complete the EcoVadis assessment in-house can be driven by several factors:

Cost control: Managing the process internally can potentially reduce external consulting fees.

Leveraging existing knowledge: Companies with strong sustainability teams may feel confident in their ability to navigate the assessment.

Building internal capacity: The process of completing the EcoVadis assessment can serve as a valuable learning experience for your team.

Maintaining control: Some organisations prefer to keep sensitive information and processes in-house.

However, this path also comes with challenges:

Understanding the nuances: The EcoVadis methodology is complex and constantly evolving. Staying up-to-date requires significant time and effort.

Resource constraints: Gathering and organising the necessary documentation can be incredibly time-consuming, pulling resources away from other essential tasks.

Objectivity: Objectively assessing your own practices can be challenging, as internal biases may cloud your judgment.

Staying the Course: Keeping up with evolving sustainability standards requires constant vigilance and a proactive approach.

Essential tips for the solo EcoVadis adventurer

Chart your course early: Start preparing at least 3-6 months before your assessment deadline. This allows ample time to gather necessary documentation, implement new initiatives, and address any gaps in your sustainability practices.

Assemble your team: Create a cross-functional team, involving representatives from various departments to ensure comprehensive coverage of all sustainability aspects. This collaborative approach can lead to more robust and integrated sustainability strategies.

Set a clear bearing: Ensure your policies address at least 67% of the key issues identified by EcoVadis for your industry. Well-documented policies demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and provide a foundation for action.

EcoVadis uses a scoring system that evaluates the comprehensiveness of a company’s sustainability policies. To score well, companies need to cover a significant portion of the key sustainability criteria identified for their specific industry.

The 67% threshold represents a tipping point in the scoring system:

Addressing less than 33% of key issues results in a low score.

Covering 33% to 65% of key issues yields a moderate score.

Addressing 66% or more of key issues (rounded to 67% in practical terms) leads to a higher score.

This benchmark encourages companies to develop comprehensive policies that address the majority of sustainability issues relevant to their sector, ensuring a holistic approach rather than focusing on just a few select areas.

However, policy coverage alone is not enough to achieve a high score. Even if an organization covers 100% of its activated criteria, it can still receive a maximum score of 50/100 if it does not include quantitative targets in its policies. In the current EcoVadis methodology, the evaluation primarily considers whether an organization covers more or less than 67% of the activated criteria. If coverage is below 67%, the maximum possible score is capped at 25/100.

To maximize performance, companies should ensure that their policies not only meet the 67% coverage threshold but also incorporate clear, measurable sustainability targets to demonstrate accountability and progress.

Log your actions: Develop and describe well-defined initiatives for each key sustainability issue. Concrete actions and their outcomes carry significant weight in the EcoVadis assessment.

Stay on target: After receiving your scorecard, create an action plan focusing on high and medium priority areas for improvement. This targeted approach can lead to more significant gains in your sustainability performance.

Source: Understanding how large companies with 50,000+ employees are assessed

Seeking expert guidance: The benefits of partnering with a sustainability consultant

For many organisations, the complexities and demands of the EcoVadis assessment process make partnering with a sustainability consultant a more strategic and effective choice. This offers access to specialised expertise, objective insights, and proven methodologies to maximise the benefits of EcoVadis.

The Advantages of enlisting expert help:

Navigating the labyrinth: Consultants possess in-depth knowledge of the EcoVadis methodology, ensuring you understand the requirements and how to meet them effectively.

Unbiased perspective: Consultants provide an objective assessment of your sustainability practices, identifying areas for improvement that might be missed by internal teams.

Best practice insights: Consultants bring a wealth of experience from working with diverse organisations, offering valuable insights and best practices to enhance your sustainability performance.

Streamlined process: Consultants streamline the assessment process, saving you time and resources while ensuring a thorough and accurate submission.

Choosing the right EcoVadis partner

When and if considering a partnership for your EcoVadis journey, it is crucial to choose wisely from EcoVadis’ carefully vetted strategic partners. These partners are selected based on their experience and expertise. They must complete rigorous training on EcoVadis’ methodology and assessment process through the EcoVadis Academy. Nexio Projects, as an EcoVadis accredited global training partner since 2018, offers valuable support in navigating the EcoVadis assessment process. Our expertise can help you not only improve your EcoVadis score but also embed sustainability into your organisation’s DNA.

You can learn more about our partnership with EcoVadis here.

At Nexio Projects, we offer tailored EcoVadis support services, including:

Expert guidance on the EcoVadis methodology and questionnaire

Objective evaluation of your sustainability practices

Development of strategies to improve your EcoVadis score

Support in gathering and organising documentation for the EcoVadis platform

Preparation for third-party assurance audits

Whether you choose to embark on your EcoVadis journey alone or with expert support, the key is to view the process as an opportunity for growth and positive change. By leveraging the EcoVadis assessment as more than just a rating system, you can drive meaningful sustainability improvements across your organisation and create a more responsible business.