De-growth, green growth or no growth: Revisiting the limits
December 31, 2020
From 1 January 2026, any external use of an EcoVadis medal or badge must be accompanied by direct access to the company’s official EcoVadis Recognition Page, via a clickable link or QR code. The requirement applies to Premium, Select, and Corporate subscribers and is now in force. It aligns with the transparency expectations of the upcoming EU Regulation on ESG Ratings (ESGR).
The rules cover every format:
On digital channels, including websites, email signatures, social media, and digital reports, the medal or badge must link directly to the Recognition Page, or a separate link must appear next to it. Text-only references (no image) still require the link. For print, PDF, and offline materials including sustainability reports, a QR code is required. Where a QR code is not feasible, a clearly visible URL must appear instead.
Medals and badges must not be used as product labels or in any way that implies product-level sustainability. Validity must be stated clearly: each recognition is valid for 12 months from the scorecard publication date. Where older recognitions are shown, the validity period must be disclosed explicitly. Where one group entity’s medal is referenced by another entity, a disclaimer clarifying which entity was assessed is required.
“EcoVadis recognitions carry weight precisely because they represent a verified scope and a defined timeframe. The new sharing rules protect that meaning. Most companies just need to audit where their medal appears.”
– Jatin Budhraja, Sustainability Director at Nexio Projects
Download our EcoVadis compliance guide to review your materials against the new requirements!
