EcoVadis Certification Explained: Is It a Certificate or a Rating?
EcoVadis is a sustainability rating rather than a certification. Nobody audits you on site and nothing is certified for a fixed term. You complete a questionnaire, upload evidence, and analysts score you from 0 to 100. What people call EcoVadis certification is usually the scorecard, plus a medal or badge if you score well enough.
Last updated 28 October 2026 · By Tom Wilford, Founder, Ella
Get startedWhat you actually get
How it differs from a certification
| EcoVadis rating | Certification (e.g. ISO 14001) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is assessed | Questionnaire and documents, reviewed remotely | On-site or remote audit by an accredited body |
| Outcome | Score from 0 to 100, plus a medal if you rank highly | Pass or fail against a standard |
| How long it lasts | Reassessed annually; medals ranked against the last 12 months | Usually a three-year cycle with surveillance audits |
| Can it change without you changing? | Yes, your medal moves as other companies improve | No |
The process, step by step
Using your medal publicly
How Ella helps
ESG questionnaire automation
EcoVadis, CDP and customer sustainability questionnaires answered from your evidence, with the gaps flagged.
Carbon & Net Zero
Measure Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and set reduction targets, the data EcoVadis expects in the Environment theme.
ESG Reporting
Turn scattered data into the KPIs and public reporting that score points under Results.
Related resources
What Is EcoVadis? Ratings, Medals and Scores Explained
EcoVadis is a business sustainability rating. You complete an online questionnaire and upload evidence, and EcoVadis analysts score your company from 0 to 100 across four themes: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Large buyers use the scorecard to assess suppliers, and the strongest performers earn a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum medal.
What Is a Good EcoVadis Score?
On the EcoVadis scale of 0 to 100, a score of 45 or more is rated Good and earns the Committed badge. Medals are separate: they go to the top 35% of companies rated in the previous 12 months, with no published cut-off. A good score is the one your customers ask for.
How to Improve Your EcoVadis Score
Start with the scorecard from your last assessment. Most lost points come from documentation: policies with no evidence of action behind them, no quantitative KPIs, no public reporting and no certifications. Fix the gaps your scorecard flags, back every claim with a dated, specific document, then submit for reassessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EcoVadis a certification?
No. It is a rating. You receive a score and, if you rank highly enough, a medal. People use the word certification informally.
How long is an EcoVadis rating valid?
Ratings are reassessed each year, and medals are ranked against companies rated in the previous 12 months. Most buyers expect a current scorecard.
How do I get EcoVadis certified?
Register on the platform, complete the questionnaire, upload evidence and wait for the analyst review. The scorecard and any medal are the outcome.
Does EcoVadis audit my site?
No. Assessment is based on your questionnaire answers, the documents you upload and public information that EcoVadis monitors.
Can I fail EcoVadis?
There is no pass or fail. Low scores land in the Insufficient or Partial bands, and some customers set their own minimum.
Is an EcoVadis medal the same as ISO 14001?
No. ISO 14001 certifies an environmental management system. Holding it can raise your EcoVadis score, because certifications count as evidence.
How much does an EcoVadis assessment cost?
It depends on the plan and company size. Third-party estimates put annual fees between roughly €1,000 and €8,000; check current prices with EcoVadis.
Can Ella help me get EcoVadis certified?
Ella prepares your questionnaire answers, drafts missing policies and collects evidence from colleagues, so you submit a complete, well-documented assessment.