You've been asked for your company's EcoVadis score, but what does that number actually mean? If you're new to the world of sustainability ratings, it can feel like a complex topic.

This simple guide is here to help. We'll skip the deep strategy and give you a confident, foundational understanding of what your EcoVadis score represents—all in about five minutes.

Quick Navigation

• 1. The 5 EcoVadis Score Levels Explained
• 2. How Is the Score Calculated? (The Simple Version)
• 3. The Four Themes That Determine Your Score
• 4. You Have Your Score... What's Next?
• 5. Conclusion: Your Next Step

The 5 EcoVadis Score Levels Explained

First, the basics. An EcoVadis score is a number on a scale from 0 to 100. This score isn't just a random number; it places your company into one of five distinct performance levels, giving you a clear idea of the maturity of your sustainability management system.

Here are the official score levels:

• Outstanding (85-100): Your company has a comprehensive and proactive approach to sustainability.
• Advanced (65-84): You have a structured approach with significant reporting on your actions.
• Good (45-64): This indicates a structured approach and is often seen as the baseline for satisfactory performance.
• Partial (25-44): Suggests an unstructured approach with some action but also significant gaps.
• Insufficient (0-24): Indicates a lack of tangible sustainability actions.

Companies that perform at a high level can also earn medals—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—to recognise their achievements.

How Is the Score Calculated? (The Simple Version)

It’s important to know that an EcoVadis score is not the result of an on-site, in-person audit.

Instead, the score is calculated based on the evidence and documentation your company uploads to the EcoVadis platform. EcoVadis analysts review the proof you provide and assess the quality of your sustainability management system based on that evidence. The entire process is based on a "proof over promises" philosophy.

The Four Themes That Determine Your Score

Your evidence is assessed across four fundamental pillars, or themes, that provide a complete view of your company's sustainability performance.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each theme covers:

• Environment: How your company manages its direct and indirect environmental impact, from energy use and emissions to waste and pollution.
• Labour & Human Rights: How you treat your people, covering everything from employee health and safety to working conditions and diversity.
• Ethics: How you conduct business responsibly, focusing on topics like anti-corruption, anti-competitive practices, and data privacy.
• Sustainable Procurement: How you extend sustainability expectations to your own supply chain and manage the performance of your suppliers.

A questionnaire tailored to your company's size, industry, and location determines which specific issues within these themes are most important for your assessment.

You Have Your Score... What's Next?

After the 6-8 week assessment period, your company receives a detailed online Scorecard. This is the main tool for understanding your performance.

The scorecard shows your overall score, your score for each of the four themes, and how you rank against industry benchmarks. Most importantly, it highlights your company’s sustainability "Strengths" and provides a prioritised list of "Improvement Areas."

This list of improvement areas is the real value of the assessment. It gives you a clear, expert-validated roadmap for your sustainability journey, showing you exactly where to focus your efforts.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

In short, an EcoVadis score is a snapshot of your company's sustainability management system, based on documented proof across four themes.

Now that you understand the basics, you're ready for a deeper dive. Our comprehensive EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment Guide walks you through the entire process step-by-step.