By Josh Knupp, Senior Manager II
As EcoVadis continues to evolve, companies can no longer rely on incremental improvements to maintain or improve their scores.
Based on our recent webinar and ongoing work with clients, three key trends are shaping EcoVadis assessments in 2026. Understanding these changes is critical for companies preparing for their next submission.
1. Performance thresholds are rising across the market
EcoVadis’ shift to percentile-based scoring has fundamentally changed how companies are evaluated.
Current benchmarks are trending toward:
- Platinum: ~86
- Gold: ~79
- Silver: ~72
- Bronze: ~64
In practice, this means companies must improve year over year simply to maintain their current medal.
What this means for your business:
Sustainability performance is now relative. Without continuous improvement, even stable programs may result in declining relative scores.
2. Scoring is more transparent and more granular
EcoVadis has significantly enhanced scorecard transparency, providing clearer visibility into how scores are derived across:
- Policies
- Actions and implementation
- KPIs and coverage
- Reporting quality
What this means for your business:
Gaps in your sustainability management system are easier to identify and will directly limit your score. Companies without formalized processes and documented evidence will face scoring ceilings.
3. Assessments are increasingly risk and regulation driven
EcoVadis is aligning more closely with evolving regulatory expectations and risk frameworks, including:
- Due diligence requirements such as CSDDD
- Climate risk assessment expectations
- Supply chain transparency and human rights requirements
- Recent updates include:
- New climate physical risk questions
- Expanded labor and human rights criteria
- More structured 360° Watch evaluation
What this means for your business:
Your score now reflects not only internal initiatives, but also how effectively you identify, manage, and mitigate real-world risks.
What leading companies are doing differently:
Organizations that are improving their scores are not focused solely on documentation. They are building integrated sustainability management systems that include:
- Clearly defined policies with measurable commitments
- Documented implementation through training, audits, and controls
- Quantitative, time-bound targets across key sustainability issues
- Structured reporting aligned with recognized reporting frameworks (GRI, SASB, EFRS)
How to prepare for your 2026 EcoVadis submission
To position your organization for success, prioritize the following actions:
- Strengthen policies: Ensure policies include scope, governance, and measurable commitments
- Demonstrate implementation: Provide evidence of training, audits, and operational deployment
- Enhance reporting practices: Track and disclose KPIs over multiple years and align with recognized standards
- Address key risk areas: Focus on climate risk, human rights due diligence, and supply chain practices
EcoVadis is increasingly evaluating the maturity of your sustainability management system, not just the presence of documentation.
Companies that take a structured, system-driven approach are best positioned to improve scores and meet growing customer expectations.
Complimentary EcoVadis scorecard review
If you are preparing for a 2026 EcoVadis submission, we offer a complimentary scorecard review to help you:
- Identify score-limiting gaps
- Prioritize high-impact improvements
- Benchmark your current performance against 2026 expectations
Contact us to get started and ensure you are fully prepared for your next assessment.
Have questions about EcoVadis? Book a consultation with us.
3R is an EcoVadis Strategic Consulting Partner and maintains 20+ EcoVadis Approved Consultants on the team. The 3R team brings value to organizations by guiding them through a holistic discovery process and supporting them through the EcoVadis questionnaire. Strategic Consulting Partners are uniquely positioned to help businesses assess and improve sustainability performance.