All about the EcoVadis Silver Medal

The EcoVadis rating system provides a framework for companies wishing to formalize their CSR approach.
By awarding a score and a medal, EcoVadis ranks companies according to the seriousness of their commitments to environmental, social, ethical and responsible purchasing issues. 

Based on a minimum score, EcoVadis awards companies a medal from Bronze to Platinum. The EcoVadis Silver medal corresponds to the second medal level.

In this article, we'll show you what the EcoVadis Silver Medal stands for, our tips for obtaining it and how to take the next step towards the EcoVadis Gold Medal.

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What is the EcoVadis Silver Medal?

The EcoVadis Silver Medal is awarded to companies that have demonstrated their commitment to structuring their sustainability management system. In a few words, the company is committed to CSR issues, but there are still many areas for improvement before it can be said to have mastered all its material challenges.

To obtain this medal, you need to document your company's policies, actions and results using the EcoVadis questionnaire. 

The EcoVadis Silver Medal is awarded for being among the top 15% of companies assessed by EcoVadis.

It should also be noted that there is no "minimum score" guaranteeing a medal: companies are rated against each other and a percentile ranking is established, which then entitles them to a medal in 2024:

• EcoVadis Bronze award for top 35%.
• EcoVadis Silver Medal for the top 15%*.
• EcoVadis Gold Medal for top 5%.
• EcoVadis Platinum Medal for the top 1%.

Earning an EcoVadis Medal is not an end in itself, but it is a credible and internationally respected recognition that can enhance a company's reputation with customers, business partners and investors.

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What does earning the EcoVadis Silver Medal mean in concrete terms?

Winning the EcoVadis Silver Medal means that the company has a good understanding of sustainability issues and is starting to build its CSR management system. However, it also underlines the fact that the company is not yet fully mature on all sustainability issues.

This is a fine first step, validating good performance in terms of sustainability, but there are still areas where it can improve to reach higher levels of performance, such as Gold or Platinum medals.

By winning the Silver medal, the company is also demonstrating a willingness to communicate transparently about its sustainable practices, which can help strengthen its credibility with stakeholders. 

This medal underlines the company's ongoing commitment to improving its CSR performance and illustrates its determination to move forward.

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How to earn an EcoVadis Silver Medal

The EcoVadis assessment is a key step in formalizing your CSR approach .

EcoVadis recognizes companies that are committed to more sustainable practices, by acknowledging and rewarding the seriousness of their CSR management systems. The EcoVadis Silver Medal, a symbol of this commitment, is awarded to companies that share this desire for continuous improvement. 

At Beavr, our experts support companies every step of the way, providing them with the tools and advice they need to succeed in their assessment. In this chapter, we'll share with you 6 practical tips for a successful EcoVadis assessment.

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Assess your current performance to establish an action plan

The first essential step in earning the EcoVadis Silver Medal is to objectively assess your current sustainability performance. Identify your strengths and weaknesses in key areas such as the environment, labor and human rights, ethics and responsible purchasing. 

This assessment will enable you todraw up a clear, targeted action plan to improve your practices and meet EcoVadis criteria.

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Setting SMART objectives in line with EcoVadis criteria

Once you've identified your areas for improvement, set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) objectives to guide your efforts. 

Make sure that these objectives are aligned with the EcoVadis criteria and that they contribute to strengthening your performance in the areas assessed.

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Investing in under-addressed KSIs

A common pitfall when aiming for the EcoVadis Silver Medal is to focus solely on sustainability issues that are already well under control, such as carbon emissions, to the detriment of other important issues. 

It is advisable to work on all your sustainability issues to diversify your approach and improve your overall performance.

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Involve and train your employees

Your employees are key players in implementing sustainable practices within your company. Involve them in your CSR approach by raising their awareness of sustainability issues and training them in best practices. 

Their commitment and expertise will help boost your performance and create a lasting corporate culture!

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Working with suppliers

The sustainability of your value chain is just as important as that of your own company. Work with your suppliers to promote responsible practices throughout the supply chain. 

For example, you can draw up a supplier code of conduct and use CSR questionnaires to assess and improve your suppliers' performance.

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Measure and monitor performance regularly

Your CSR approach must be a long-term one. 

Measure and monitor your performance year after year with relevant key performance indicators (KPIs). 

To help you define your performance indicators, our experts have created a list of 100 EcoVadis indicators to track your progress and identify areas for improvement.

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By following these practical tips, you'll have every chance of earning the EcoVadis Silver Medal and structuring your CSR approach for the long term.

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Upgrade from EcoVadis Silver to Gold medal

The EcoVadis Gold Medal is a fine reward, valued by your various stakeholders.

For all those companies who would like to go from an EcoVadis Silver to a Gold medal, it's quite a challenge, but achievable if you deploy the necessary resources.

Please remember that your medal is awarded on the basis of your score in relation to all companies evaluated by EcoVadis over the same 12-month period. This means that maintaining your score, or raising it by a few points, does not guarantee that you will move on to the next medal.

In this chapter, our experts share their advice on how to increase your score and aim for the EcoVadis Gold medal, focusing on concrete areas for improvement within your company.

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Analyze EcoVadis assessment feedback

Start by taking a close look at the feedback you received during your EcoVadis assessment. It will help you to identify the strengths you need to consolidate and the areas where you need to improve to increase your score and aim for the EcoVadis Gold medal.

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Setting even more ambitious targets

Once you've identified areas for improvement, set yourself even more ambitious targets for each sustainability issue. 

Aim for excellence in every aspect of CSR by setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) objectives that help reinforce your sustainable practices and improve your overall performance.

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Strengthening management commitment 

Actively involve your company's management in your CSR approach. Reinforce their commitment by showing them the benefits of a sustainable approach for the company and for society as a whole. 

Make sure that management supports your ambitious CSR objectives, and is prepared to provide the resources needed to achieve them.

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Strengthening collaboration with suppliers 

Work closely with your suppliers on CSR issues. Establish a constructive dialogue and work together to identify opportunities for innovation and progress in your supply chain. 

By implementing these concrete actions to strengthen your sustainable practices, you'll increase your chances of moving from EcoVadis Silver to Gold and consolidating your CSR management system.

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Conclusion

Winning an EcoVadis Silver Medal enhances your CSR commitments by highlighting the fact that further action is possible to define a better CSR management system.

To go from EcoVadis Silver to Gold, take careful note of the feedback from the EcoVadis platform, which gives you concrete advice on your shortcomings and areas for improvement. 

Remember, EcoVadis helps you build a solid foundation for companies to take their material challenges seriously .

It's not just an assessment, not just a medal, but a framework to give you the keys to reducing your negative impacts on environmental, social, ethical and responsible purchasing issues, and seizing opportunities linked to sustainability.

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