E

Environment looks at how a business manages its impact. Involved are things like carbon emissions, energy use, waste and water. For those interested in joining EcoVadis, the environmental pillar can feel daunting at first, but it doesn’t need to be. EcoVadis values evidence of action and transparency far more than perfect numbers or bold claims. 

                       C

Corporate Ethics focuses on how a business operates with integrity, covering things like anti-corruption, data protection and fair competition. At Premier, ethics shape our everyday decisions. Being open, honest and accountable underpins everything we do, because trust is earned through consistent actions. For businesses considering EcoVadis, this pillar isn’t about perfect documentation. It’s about clear intent and a genuine commitment to transparency. 

                      O

 Operations & Supply Chain is where EcoVadis digs into the details. For us as a merchandise company, this is huge. Most of our footprint sits in Scope 3 (the most tedious one), so       working closely with suppliers is the only tangible way to decarbonise. The EcoVadis certification doesn’t expect perfection overnight, what matters is engagement: are you talking to     suppliers, sharing expectations and actively improving impact across your supply chain? 

                     V

Verified Data Is important and could be considered the most crucial. Evidence is everything! The key thing to understand is that Ecovadis doesn’t expect any fancy dancy reports or the prettiest spreadsheets, it looks for proof that processes are in place. For companies new to EcoVadis, this is often the part that takes the most time (and it did for us) but it’s also where the most value sits. 

                     A

Accountability is about taking responsibility for your impact. Quite frankly, we’re upfront about this, even when the numbers aren’t perfect. We’ll admit that our carbon emissions were higher than the year before last. While total emissions went up, our impact intensity dropped, meaning we became more efficient as a business. This pillar is all about mindset. EcoVadis values accountability far more than greenwashed perfection. 

                    D 

Due Diligence is a core part of the EcoVadis assessment. It looks at how well a business identifies, understands, and manages risks, including human rights, labour standards, environmental compliance, and ethical sourcing. For companies new to EcoVadis, the focus is on awareness and action. Documented processes and a clear understanding of higher-risk areas show that you take these responsibilities seriously and are committed to improving over time. 

                I

Improvement is at the heart of EcoVadis. EcoVadis looks at how businesses respond to their results: are they acting on feedback, setting realistic goals and making measurable improvements year on year? Even small changes count, as long as they’re intentional and tracked. For many companies, the real value comes after the assessment. This insight helps businesses focus on what matters, rather than trying to tackle everything at once. 

S 

Sustainability Ratings are how EcoVadis brings everything together. Businesses receive an overall score and, where applicable, a medal: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. These ratings give customers and partners a clear, credible snapshot of how a business is performing on sustainability.  

More importantly, the rating isn’t the end goal. It’s a marker of where a business is now and a benchmark for improvement. For companies joining EcoVadis, this is the fun part - the ESG equivalent of a quiet fist pump.