Customers, clients, and supply chain partners increasingly expect businesses to prove they are acting responsibly, not just say they are. That means showing clear evidence of environmental action, ethical sourcing, and responsible business practices. For many companies, Ecovadis has become the benchmark for doing exactly that.

Ecovadis is one of the world’s most recognised sustainability ratings platforms, with 50,000 global companies rated each year. Businesses are assessed across key areas including environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.

A strong Ecovadis score can help win new business, strengthen customer relationships, and demonstrate leadership in sustainability. But achieving a good score is becoming significantly harder as the thresholds keep rising.

Raising the bar

Take Platinum status – Ecovadis’ highest medal, awarded to the top 1% of assessed companies. In 2021, a score of 72 was enough to achieve Platinum. Today, companies need a minimum score of 86 – a 14-point increase in just four years.

Gold has risen from 67 in 2021 to 79 now. Furthermore, in 2024, a change was made so that only the top 15% of companies received Silver (previously 25%) and top 35% for bronze (previously 50%).

In other words, standing still means falling behind. Even if your score stays the same, your medal could drop because the benchmark has moved.

Merch challenge

For promotional merchandise businesses, this creates an extra challenge, with complex supply chains, multiple suppliers, and products sourced from different countries. That means more sustainability risks to manage, and more evidence required during an Ecovadis assessment.

Questions around supplier standards, packaging, carbon emissions, and product traceability can all make the process more demanding.

That is why preparation matters. Accredited Ecovadis consulting partners, Ecoverify, can help by providing tailored and comprehensive support. The ultimate value is being able to demonstrate a company’s commitment to a transparent supply chain and to continuously improving its sustainability performance.

Time well spent

A strong Ecovadis submission is not built in a week. It requires clear policies, measurable actions, documented procedures, staff training, and evidence that sustainability is embedded into the business. It can feel overwhelming – especially for busy businesses already managing day-to-day operations.

This is where specialist support can make a difference.

Ecoverify helps many promotional merchandise companies navigate the entire Ecovadis process – from understanding requirements to building policies, gathering evidence, and improving scores.

It has supported more than 30 companies in the sector, including Kingly, which recently achieved a second Ecovadis Platinum, placing it in the top 1% globally.

Kingly CEO Rob Armour said: “Ecoverify has played a key role in strengthening our sustainability framework and guiding us through a complex but critical process with clarity and precision. Their hands-on approach and expertise have made a real difference in how we operate and position ourselves for the future.”

Sustainable improvement

That reflects what many businesses are experiencing: Ecovadis is becoming more demanding, but the commercial value of a strong score is increasing too.

Customers are asking tougher questions. Procurement teams are setting stricter requirements. Sustainability credentials are becoming a deciding factor in tenders and supplier selection. The standard is rising and will only continue to do so.

The good news is that with the right support, preparation, and strategy, businesses can keep pace.

If your goal is to improve your Ecovadis score, protect your current medal, or work toward Gold or Platinum, now is the time to act.

Get in touch with steve@ecoverify.co.uk to talk about how the company can help.

Steve Bland is managing director of Ecoverify