‍TheEcoVadis Bronze Medal is often the first step for companies wishing to structure and enhance their sustainability commitments. Earning this EcoVadis medal proves that the company is aware of its sustainability challenges, while highlighting areas for improvement. 

In this article, we explain what the EcoVadis Bronze Medal is, and share our practical advice on how to earn it and go even further towards the EcoVadis Silver Medal.

Whether you're just starting out on your CSR journey or looking to formalize your existing efforts, in this article you'll find concrete ways to strengthen your sustainability management system.

What is the EcoVadis Bronze Medal?

The EcoVadis Bronze Medal is awarded to companies via the EcoVadis assessment, which takes into account a company's performance on sustainability issues. 

The assessment is based on a set of criteria grouped into four main themes: environment, social and human rights, ethics and responsible purchasing. We explain the EcoVadis evaluation system in this article.

The EcoVadis Bronze Medal is one of four possible awards, and is the first, followed by the EcoVadis Silver, Gold and finally Platinum Medals. 

Earning the EcoVadis Bronze Medal indicates that the company has achieved an above-average level of CSR performance compared to other companies, but that it still has considerable room for improvement.

In other words, it's a fine first step that underlines a willingness to engage with many areas where the company can improve its impact.

What does it mean to be awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal?

Earning an EcoVadis Medal is factual proof of the seriousness of your CSR approach. Often valued by your stakeholders, this distinction enables you to compare companies on their CSR performance, thanks to a clear, harmonized framework.

The EcoVadis medal corresponds to the Top 35% of companies evaluated by EcoVadis over the last 12 months, and in 2024, a minimum score of 56/100 is required.

In concrete terms, earning the EcoVadis Bronze Medal means that, although you have implemented sustainable practices, not all the Key Sustainability Issues (KSI) (KPI) are yet fully optimized. 

You are starting your CSR process or formalizing your approach, and are committed to continuous improvement to reduce your impact.

The award recognizes your efforts and encourages you to continue improving your practices in areas identified as needing further attention.

By investing in these areas and diversifying your approach, you can strengthen your overall CSR performance and why not improve your score in the years to come.

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How to earn an EcoVadis Bronze Medal

To obtain an EcoVadis medal, it is important to define a structured and rigorous method focused on the CSR practices already in place within the company. In our guide, you'll find 5 steps to help you prepare your EcoVadis assessment.

At Beavr, our experts work with over a hundred companies to help them structure their CSR approach and pass their EcoVadis assessment. 

In this section, we share our tips for structuring and improving your sustainability practices and optimizing your score:

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Evaluation criteria

The first step to earning the EcoVadis Bronze Medal is to understand the evaluation criteria. EcoVadis evaluates companies on four main themes: environment, social and human rights, ethics, and responsible purchasing. Familiarize yourself with these criteria to know exactly what is expected of you.
Please note that, depending on the size of your company, your sector of activity and your location, EcoVadis will not assess all 21 sustainability issues. The importance of the themes will also be adapted to your company's typology.
Take this parameter into account, so you don't spend energy on a theme on which you have little impact and which will earn you fewer points!

Understanding and covering all KSI

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for assessing your sustainability performance. Make sure you understand these indicators and start addressing them. 

A balanced approach that covers all the KSIs will help you improve your overall performance.
To help you define the right indicators for your CSR approach, we're sharing a list of 100 ESG indicators, which will give you a clear understanding of your company's impacts.

Assess your current performance

Before setting goals, assess where you stand. Use internal audits and assessments to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. This assessment will give you a solid basis for planning your next steps.

Setting realistic goals

Set yourself SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound). These objectives must be aligned with EcoVadis criteria and aim to improve your performance in the areas assessed. 

Realistic, well-defined objectives will guide you towards concrete, measurable improvements.

Engaging all stakeholders

Involve your employees, partners and suppliers in your approach to multiply your impact. 

Collaboration and commitment from all stakeholders are essential to success. 

You can, for example, organize training and awareness-raising sessions to get them actively involved! We recommend two accessible, high-impact training courses: 

• The climate fresco (or another fresco),
• The 2-tonne workshop.

Communicating your efforts

Communication is key. 

Share your efforts and progress with all stakeholders. 

Use reports, newsletters and regular updates to inform and inspire. Good communication builds commitment and transparency!

Working with suppliers

Your suppliers play a crucial role in your value chain. Work with them to help them improve their sustainability practices. 

Integrate social and environmental criteria into your procurement processes and work together to achieve higher standards.

Measuring and monitoring progress

Finally, measure and monitor your progress regularly. 

We advise you to use performance indicators to track your improvements and adjust your strategies accordingly. 

Monitor this performance continuously to stay on track and make adjustments if necessary.

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By following these steps and adopting a structured approach, you can earn the EcoVadis Bronze Medal and demonstrate your commitment to CSR.

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Upgrade from EcoVadis Bronze to Silver medal

Earning the EcoVadis Bronze Medal is a very good start, but aiming for the EcoVadis Silver Medal is an even more ambitious step, anchoring your company in a sustainable CSR approach based on continuous improvement.

In this section, our EcoVadis experts share some tips on how to reach this milestone and earn the EcoVadis Silver Medal.

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In-depth analysis of Evaluation feedback

To make progress, start with a thorough analysis of EcoVadis evaluation feedback. Identify the areas where your scores are low, and the specific points requiring improvement. 

This analysis will enable you to target your efforts precisely and develop an effective improvement strategy.

Cover and address missing KSIs

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for achieving Silver status. 

Identify the KSIs you haven't yet fully addressed and implement concrete actions to improve them. 

This can include additional environmental initiatives, strengthened social policies, more stringent ethical practices, and responsible purchasing.

Have a CSR project manager who communicates with management

Coordination and support from top management are crucial to the success of your CSR approach. 

We advise you to appoint a dedicated CSR project manager, responsible for coordinating and steering all sustainability initiatives. 

Make sure this person communicates regularly with management to ensure strategic alignment and the necessary support!

Increase the time and budget allocated to CSR teams

Sustainability projects require resources. 

To aim for the Silver medal, it is often necessary to increase the time and budget allocated to your CSR teams. These additional resources will enable you to develop and implement more ambitious initiatives andmonitor progress more rigorously.

Formalizing documents

Formalizing your practices is a key to progress. 

Create and update documents such as sustainability policies, environmental action plans, codes of ethical conduct, and other documents relevant to your sustainability issues. 

These documents show your commitment and give clear guidelines to all your stakeholders.

Engaging all stakeholders

The success of your CSR approach depends on the commitment of all your stakeholders. Sensitize and train your employees, involve your partners and work closely with your suppliers.

Their commitment and active participation will strengthen your overall sustainability performance!

Communicating your efforts

Communication is key to maintaining commitment and transparency. Regularly share your progress and initiatives with all stakeholders via reports, newsletters, and other communication channels. Good communication builds trust and shows that you're serious about what you're doing.

Measuring and monitoring progress

To stay on track, measure and monitor your progress regularly. Use performance indicators to track your improvements and adjust your strategies according to the results you achieve. Monitoring your indicators will keep you on track and enable you to quickly correct any deviations.

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Going from EcoVadis Bronze to Silver is a challenge, but with a structured approach, it's an achievable goal! 

Each step helps you to define and implement a better CSR management system, so that you can commit to environmental, social, ethical and responsible purchasing issues.

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Conclusion

Winning the EcoVadis Bronze Medal is a great first step, demonstrating not only your commitment to responsible practices, but also your drive for continuous improvement .

In this article, we suggest that you build a solid foundation for your CSR management system by adopting a structured and rigorous approach. 

The EcoVadis questionnaire assesses your long-term commitments and your ability to cover all the sustainability issues specific to your company. 

To take the next step and earn the EcoVadis Silver Medal, we recommend that you continue to assess, improve and communicate your efforts to make progress in sustainability .