How Long Does an EcoVadis Assessment Take? (Timeline Breakdown)
Aug 25, 2025
EcoVadis officially states that filling out the questionnaire can take "a few hours to a few days". However, any experienced project manager will tell you that the real timeline for a successful assessment, from start to finish, can range from 3 to 9+ months. The exact duration depends heavily on your company's size, complexity, and current level of sustainability maturity. The process is best understood in four key phases: Preparation & Documentation, Questionnaire Submission, Expert Analysis, and Results & Action Planning. The real "heavy lift" of gathering and creating evidence happens long before you even start filling in the questionnaire.
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The biggest miscalculation companies make is underestimating the EcoVadis assessment time, particularly the pre-submission preparation phase. This guide provides a realistic EcoVadis timeline to help you plan resources, manage expectations, and avoid common delays.
EcoVadis Timeline at a Glance
This table provides a high-level estimate to help with initial planning. Note that these are typical ranges based on our research, but "mileage will vary". Your company's actual timeline depends on a variety of internal factors.
The biggest delays come from Phase 1. The EcoVadis Starter Pack can reduce this phase by weeks with ready-to-use templates and checklists.
Phase 1: Preparation & Documentation (The Real "Heavy Lift")
This is the most time-consuming phase and involves gathering, creating, and curating evidence.
- For SMEs (1-999 employees): Expect 50-100 hours for high-maturity SMEs and 80-200+ hours for low-maturity SMEs, spread over 4-12 weeks. The main challenge is often creating new documentation, like a first formal anti-corruption policy or a system to track energy use.
- For Large Enterprises (1,000+ employees): Expect 150-300 hours for high-maturity large enterprises and 250-500+ hours for low-maturity ones, spread over 8-16+ weeks. The main challenge here is not a lack of data, but organisational complexity and coordinating across siloed departments.
The table below outlines the biggest internal roadblocks that cause delays and how to mitigate them.
Phase 2: Questionnaire Submission & Deadlines
Once the questionnaire is activated, the clock starts on your ecovadis submission deadline.
- The Deadline: The initial deadline is often 30 business days.
- The Lifeline: EcoVadis has a built-in feature allowing you to extend your own deadline, typically by up to 60 business days. This should be seen as a strategic part of the project plan, not a failure.
- Campaign Assessments: If your assessment is triggered by a customer campaign, timelines may be stricter. EcoVadis aligns the deadlines with your customer’s request, usually requiring completion within 12–16 weeks end-to-end.
๐ Quick Tip
Download the Excel version of the questionnaire to easily collaborate with different departments offline before uploading answers to the platform.
Phase 3: EcoVadis Expert Analysis
This is the ecovadis review time, when analysts validate your submission.
- Standard Timeline: Expect to wait 6 to 8 weeks for your results.
- Variables: This timeline can be extended during high-demand periods or for very complex submissions. Your subscription level may also influence the publication date.
- The "360° Watch": During this phase, analysts also scan public sources for news and reports about your company, which can impact your score.
Phase 4: Results & Planning for Reassessment
The process doesn't end when you get your score.
- Scorecard Validity: Your scorecard is valid for 12 months from its publication date.
- The Real Value: The most valuable part of your results is the "Improvement Areas" feedback. Use this to create a Corrective Action Plan to guide your efforts for the next 12 months.
- The "Slow Burn" Approach: The most successful companies treat EcoVadis as a year-round continuous improvement project, not a last-minute sprint. Data shows that companies with multiple assessments score significantly higher than first-timers.
๐ Key Takeaways
- Expect 3-9+ Months: The total EcoVadis timeline is much longer than just the submission window. Plan accordingly.
- Preparation is Key: The pre-submission documentation phase is the longest and most resource-intensive part of the process.
- Use Extensions Strategically: The 60-business-day extension is a standard tool, not a failure. Use it to ensure a high-quality submission.
- Think Annually: The most successful companies adopt a year-round "slow burn" approach to continuous improvement, using the results from one assessment to prepare for the next.
- Next Step: If you want to shorten Phase 1, check out the EcoVadis Starter Pack.
Accelerate Your Preparation & Avoid Delays
Feeling overwhelmed by the preparation phase? The EcoVadis Starter Pack provides a clear roadmap, a customised checklist, and expert guidance to accelerate your preparation phase and avoid common delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I speed up the EcoVadis review process?
Yes. While the standard analyst review takes around 6–8 weeks, the "Select" subscription offers a priority feature (target 4 weeks outside peak season). For urgent cases like tenders, EcoVadis also runs "assessment campaigns," which synchronise the review timeline with your customer’s deadlines.
What happens if I miss my submission deadline?
If the deadline expires and you have not requested an extension, the questionnaire will be closed. You may be able to have it reopened by contacting EcoVadis support within six months, but this is not guaranteed and will cause significant delays. It is always better to proactively use the extension feature.
Is the timeline different for a reassessment?
The preparation time for a reassessment is often shorter, as you are building from an established baseline and focusing on the "Improvement Areas" from your last scorecard. However, the official EcoVadis analysis time of 6-8 weeks remains the same.
About the Author
Rutger founded Double Your Sustainability to answer one key question: how can companies navigate the complexities of the EcoVadis assessment with confidence? He draws on 15 years of corporate sustainability experience and the direct lessons learned from achieving EcoVadis Platinum medals and supporting companies to provide clear, actionable roadmaps that demystify the process.
As a certified EcoVadis Solutions Practitioner with an MSc. in Strategic Sustainable Development, his focus is on turning your sustainability efforts into a scorecard you can be proud of.
Related Reading & Resources
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