Gap analysis according to 2026 EcoVadis methodology, evidence selection compliant with the 55-document limit, questionnaire preparation, and continuous improvement support. A specific score or medal outcome is not guaranteed.
Last methodology check: 27 July 2026. This page has been reviewed based on EcoVadis's current Ratings Methodology Overview and Principles document dated 22 July 2026, 2026 medal/badge rules, Methodology Updates Q1 2026, and Complete Guide for Document Submission dated 24 April 2026.
What is EcoVadis Consultancy?
EcoVadis consultancy is a preparation service that helps to identify gaps by comparing the company's sustainability management system with the EcoVadis assessment approach, select appropriate evidence, and manage the assessment process more controllably. The EcoVadis assessment is customised according to the company's activity, size, and operational location.
The EcoVadis methodology examines the quality of the management system across three main pillars: Policies, Actions, and Results. These are evaluated using seven management indicators: Policies, Endorsements, Measures, Certifications, Coverage, Reporting, and 360° Watch.
📌 Critical points for 2026
Medals are determined not by fixed total score thresholds, but by the percentile at the time the scorecard is published.
Platinum is for the top 1%, Gold for the top 5%, Silver for the top 15%, and Bronze for the top 35%; EcoVadis does not publish fixed medal score thresholds.
A medal requires a minimum score of 30 in each of the four themes and compliance with additional eligibility criteria.
A maximum of 55 supporting documents can be uploaded for each assessment; attempting to exceed this limit by combining documents is not accepted.
Evidence must be pre-existing, current, relevant, complete, and reflect the actual management system; documents created solely to satisfy the questionnaire are not accepted.
Europecarbon does not guarantee a specific score, percentile, or medal outcome; the goal is to strengthen the management system and evidence quality.
🎯 Gap AnalysisCurrent status and priority actions across four themes and related management indicators.
📄 55-Document StrategyPrioritising the most relevant and strongest evidence within the document limit.
🔗 Integrated Data UseRe-use of relevant data from carbon, GRI, LCA, and CBAM work in applicable EcoVadis questions.
📈 Continuous ImprovementAction plan for the next assessment based on improvement areas in the scorecard.
2026 EcoVadis Medal and Badge System
Since 2024, EcoVadis determines medals not by fixed score thresholds but by percentile. The percentile is calculated against all companies assessed in the last 12 months in the EcoVadis database at the time the scorecard is published; it is not calculated separately by industry.
Top 35%
🥉 Bronze
65+ percentile
Top 15%
🥈 Silver
85+ percentile
Top 5%
🥇 Gold
95+ percentile
Top 1%
🏆 Platinum
99+ percentile
Committed Badge Minimum total score of 45; companies earning a medal cannot simultaneously receive a badge.
Fast Mover Badge Score of 34–44 and at least 6 points improvement within 18 months compared to the previous assessment.
⚠️ Eligibility is not just percentile: A minimum score of 30 in each of the four themes, industry/activity restrictions, 360° Watch, and Worker Voice Connect are also criteria that can affect medal eligibility. Medals and badges are not certificates or product labels.
ℹ️ 2026 usage rule: An EcoVadis medal or badge is only valid for the assessed organisation; it cannot be automatically extended to parent companies, sister companies, facilities, or subsidiaries. External sharing is permitted only for EcoVadis customers with an active Premium, Select, or Corporate subscription, in accordance with the usage rules. From 1 January 2026, all online or offline external medal/badge usage must be accompanied by a link to the EcoVadis Recognition Page. A medal or badge is not a certificate or product label; it is not a statement proving a product or service is sustainable and does not imply endorsement of a product/service by EcoVadis.
2026 EcoVadis Methodology Updates
EcoVadis's Q1 2026 methodology update package, including changes introduced in April, May, and Q2 2026, contains important updates affecting the types of evidence used in assessment preparation and the scorecard workflow.
Evidence scopeTurnover has been removed from facility-level Policy, Endorsement, and Reporting scope calculations; operational/site or employee coverage is now the basis.
Certification evidenceUnder specific conditions, additional evidence types such as screenshots of public verification databases, audit reports, and official communications are now accepted.
Audit reportsThe scope of using sustainability and certification audit reports as Policy, Action, or Reporting evidence has been expanded; "in-progress" certifications have been removed.
Scope 2 reportingLocation-based and market-based Scope 2 emissions are collected as separate data options.
GRI "with reference"When other quality conditions are met, GRI "with reference" Universal disclosures can be included in scoring for the reporting indicator.
Scorecard Pre-PublicationA two-business-day factual error check window has been defined for companies before publication on the network during the Q2 2026 process. This window allows reporting factual errors such as incorrect core information used in the assessment or misinterpretation during analysis; disagreeing with the methodology, requesting a higher score, or appealing only an Improvement Area assessment are not the same thing. Once the two-business-day period expires, the scorecard is automatically published to the EcoVadis network, even if the reported factual error is still under review.
EcoVadis Assessment Themes
EcoVadis uses four main themes. Which criteria are active and their weightings are customised according to the company's activity, size, and geographical risk profile.
🌱 Environment
Energy and greenhouse gases, water, waste, materials, air pollution, biodiversity, and other environmental criteria applicable to the company.
👥 Labour & Human Rights
OHS, working conditions, social dialogue, training, discrimination, human rights, and related management practices.
⚖️ Ethics
Anti-corruption, anti-competitive practices, information security, and ethical management mechanisms.
🔗 Sustainable Procurement
Supplier selection, risk assessment, contractual criteria, monitoring, and dissemination of sustainability performance across the supply chain.
Europecarbon EcoVadis Consultancy Process
Preparation time varies according to the company's current situation. The following work plan is the Europecarbon consultancy process; EcoVadis's standard scorecard publication time after questionnaire submission is usually an additional 6–8 weeks.
1
Pre-Analysis and Scope Verification
The assessment scope, activity, company size, existing scorecard, and core management system documents are examined.
📋 Output: Gap and priority matrix
2
55-Document Evidence Strategy
Existing, current, and relevant evidence is prioritised according to EcoVadis Document Guide principles; combined documents or those created solely for the questionnaire are avoided.
🎯 Output: Question-evidence mapping matrix
3
Management System Improvements
Policies, practices, targets, monitoring, and reporting processes are developed for actual operational gaps. The aim is not just to produce documents, but to increase the real maturity of the management system.
📁 Output: Implementation and improvement plan
4
Questionnaire Quality Control and Submission
Questionnaire answers, scope, and evidence links are checked before submission. Support is provided for process and platform communication if needed during EcoVadis analysis.
🔄 Output: Ready-to-submit file
5
Scorecard and Corrective Action Plan
After the scorecard is published, theme scores, Strengths, and Improvement Areas are examined; measurable actions are planned for re-assessment.
🗺️ Output: Continuous improvement roadmap
7 Robust Approaches to Improve Your EcoVadis Score
1
55 Documents
Prioritise Evidence
Instead of uploading everything, select the documents with the strongest relationship to the assessment scope; do not attempt to exceed the limit by combining different documents into a single file.
2
Use Pre-Existing Evidence
Use evidence that demonstrates your real and established management system, rather than documents produced solely to satisfy the EcoVadis questionnaire.
3
Prioritise Improvement Areas
Address high-priority improvement areas in the scorecard with real operational actions.
4
Set Measurable Targets
Quantitative targets with a baseline year, target year, scope, and responsible person strengthen the traceability of the management system in applicable criteria.
5
Strengthen Supply Chain Due Diligence
Integrate risk-based supplier assessment, contractual criteria, action tracking, and monitoring mechanisms into actual purchasing processes.
6
Monitor Corrective Actions
Use a systematic action plan that tracks improvement areas with responsible parties, dates, evidence, and closure status.
7
Plan Re-assessment Early
The scorecard is valid for 12 months. Allow sufficient preparation time to prepare updated KPIs and evidence before a new assessment.
Which Documents Can Be Used for EcoVadis?
The table below is not a universal mandatory document list, but rather examples of potential evidence. The EcoVadis questionnaire is customised according to company specifics, and only relevant evidence is evaluated against applicable criteria.
Example policy, action, and results evidence for EcoVadis themes
Theme
Policy / Commitment
Action / System Evidence
Result / Reporting
🌱 Environment
Environmental policy, applicable targets
ISO 14001, energy/waste/water programmes, audits
Energy, water, waste, and emissions KPIs; relevant sustainability reports
👥 Labour & Human Rights
OHS, working conditions, equality policies
Training, risk assessment, employee engagement
Accident, training, diversity, and relevant performance indicators
Tracking of violations/complaints and appropriate reporting
🔗 Sustainable Procurement
Supplier code of conduct, purchasing policy
Supplier risk assessment, contractual criteria
Supplier evaluation scope and follow-up results
💡 Evidence quality: Official approval, date, scope, and company identity can indicate the formalisation of a document; however, a single signature or document type does not guarantee a specific score increase.
Common EcoVadis Mistakes
❌ Producing Documents Only for the QuestionnaireEcoVadis may not accept documents created solely to satisfy the assessment as valid evidence.
❌ Mismanaging the 55-Document LimitCombining numerous sub-documents into a single file is not a valid method to exceed the document limit.
❌ Overlooking Company ScopeThe evidence must adequately represent the operations within the assessment scope.
❌ Mistaking Score for Medal GuaranteeMedals depend on percentile and additional eligibility criteria; there is no fixed score = fixed medal relationship.
Representative Application Scenarios
The following examples are representative scenarios designed to illustrate the consultancy flow; they are not actual customer results or score guarantees.
Representative Scenario — Manufacturing Company
The company's environmental and OHS practices are strong, but its documents are scattered. The work proceeds with verification of the assessment scope, prioritisation of evidence within the 55-document limit, and closing existing management system gaps.
Evidence matrixUpdated KPI setCorrective action plan
Representative Scenario — EU Exporter
Emissions data set created for CBAM and relevant information from GRI reporting can be reused in applicable EcoVadis questions after scope and timeliness control. Instead of re-generating the same data source, data governance is standardised.
Data re-useSource traceabilitySingle data ownership matrix
About the EcoVadis Assessment
Short video about the EcoVadis process and consultancy approach:
Why Work with Europecarbon?
EcoVadis preparation can intersect with evidence from carbon, water, sustainability reporting, and supply chain processes. Europecarbon focuses on reducing data ownership and evidence duplication across these disciplines.
🔗
Integrated Data Management
Relevant carbon, GRI, LCA, and CBAM data can be re-evaluated in applicable EcoVadis questions.
📄
Evidence-Oriented Approach
Focus on selecting pre-existing and strongest evidence within the 55-document limit.
📅
Continuous Improvement
A traceable action plan is prepared based on Improvement Areas after the scorecard.
Services That Can Be Managed Alongside EcoVadis
🌍 Carbon Footprint ConsultancyRelevant emissions data can be supporting evidence in applicable EcoVadis environmental questions.
🏭 Product Carbon Footprint (ISO 14067)Product emissions data can support the relevant environmental evidence set, depending on the assessment scope.
📊 GRI Sustainability ReportingCurrent and relevant GRI disclosures can be used as evidence in applicable EcoVadis questions.
🇪🇺 CBAM ReportingVerifiable emissions data can be reused in applicable EcoVadis environmental questions, if the scope is appropriate.
⚡ Carboniva Calculation PlatformAn external platform supporting the preparation of carbon and related sustainability data.
🚀 Get a Free Pre-Analysis
Let's evaluate your current EcoVadis status and preparation needs together.
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The fee is determined by the company's size, assessment scope, current preparation level, and necessary improvement work. A fixed medal score guarantee or per-point pricing is not provided.
🏢 Company Size and ScopeA single legal entity, facility, or group scope affects workload.
📋 Existing Management SystemThe maturity of current policies, actions, certifications, and KPI reporting affects the scope.
🎯 Improvement NeedAn action plan is created based on Improvement Areas in the scorecard and management system gaps.
🔄 Initial Assessment / Re-assessmentInitial preparation, re-assessment, or quality control only before submission are different scopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about EcoVadis consultancy and the 2026 assessment approach.
The duration of Europecarbon's preparation and improvement work varies according to the company's existing management system, document quality, and deficiencies; it can practically take several months. This consultancy preparation period is separate from EcoVadis's standard 6–8 week analysis period for publishing the scorecard after questionnaire submission.
An EcoVadis scorecard is valid for 12 months from the date of publication. Medals or badges are also valid for 12 months in line with the scorecard. Platform-internal or external sharing options for the scorecard are managed according to subscription and platform functionalities; this is not the same as the external use rules for promotional purposes of a medal/badge. Madalya veya rozetin harici paylaşımı yalnız aktif Premium, Select veya Corporate aboneliğe sahip müşteriler için EcoVadis kullanım kurallarına tabidir ve 1 Ocak 2026'dan itibaren her harici madalya/rozet kullanımında EcoVadis Recognition Page bağlantısı bulunmalıdır.
EcoVadis is generally not a certification mandated by law for all sectors. However, customers, buyers, or tender requirements may request an EcoVadis assessment from suppliers. CSDDD like due diligence regulations do not directly mandate EcoVadis use; however, they may increase the demand for more systematic sustainability data and evidence in the supply chain.
Yes. You can participate in an EcoVadis assessment without a consultant. Consultancy provides support to identify gaps in the existing management system, prioritise evidence within the 55-document limit, check question–evidence mapping, and create a post-results improvement plan. A specific score or medal outcome cannot be guaranteed.
EcoVadis is a rating approach that evaluates a company's sustainability management system and generates a scorecard. GRI is a sustainability reporting standard, and CDP is an environmental disclosure system. Up-to-date and relevant information prepared under GRI or CDP can be used as appropriate supporting evidence in relevant EcoVadis questions; however, using one of these frameworks alone does not guarantee a specific EcoVadis score.
First, the theme scores, strengths, and improvement areas in the scorecard should be examined. Then, considering EcoVadis's Policies, Actions, and Results structure and seven management indicators, real management system gaps should be closed; instead of documents created solely for the questionnaire, existing, current, relevant, and verifiable evidence should be strengthened.
The consultancy fee varies according to the company's size, assessment scope, maturity of existing documents and management system, and the necessary improvement work. Scopes such as initial application, re-assessment, and quality control only create different workloads; therefore, a company-specific offer is prepared after a preliminary analysis.
The EcoVadis Environment theme is not scored with a single document or a fixed three-item checklist. The assessment is customised according to the company's activities, size, and location, and the sustainability management system is examined with the Policies, Actions, and Results approach. Policies, targets, implemented measures, certifications, scope, reporting, and reliable performance data may be important for relevant environmental criteria.
Yes, processes can be coordinated together in terms of data governance. Verifiable emissions data created for CBAM can be reused as supporting data in relevant EcoVadis environmental questions, provided it meets the scope and timeliness conditions. However, CBAM compliance does not replace the EcoVadis assessment, and EcoVadis alone does not meet the CBAM obligation.
Since 2024, EcoVadis medals are determined not by fixed total score thresholds, but by the percentile calculated at the moment the scorecard is published: Platinum for the top 1%, Gold for the top 5%, Silver for the top 15%, and Bronze for the top 35%. EcoVadis does not publish fixed medal score thresholds. Additionally, a minimum score of 30 in each of the four themes and other eligibility criteria such as 360° Watch, industry/activity restrictions, and Worker Voice Connect are considered. EcoVadis medals and badges are valid for 12 months. From 1 January 2026, external medal/badge sharing is subject to an appropriate active subscription and a link to the EcoVadis Recognition Page.
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