EcoVadis Medals and Badges 2025: Understanding and Improving Your Sustainability Rating

EcoVadis Medals: What Companies Need to Know About the Rating System

The EcoVadis rating is one of the world’s leading standards for assessing corporate sustainability. Companies not only receive a score between 0 and 100, but—if they meet the criteria—also an EcoVadis medal or badge. These awards are becoming increasingly important for tenders, ESG transparency, and competition within the supply chain.

Following several updates in 2024 and further changes effective January 1, 2025, the scoring model will become more precise but also more complex. In this article, we explain exactly how the EcoVadis rating, medal awards, and new scorecard rules will change—and how your company can benefit from them.

How does the EcoVadis assessment work?

The EcoVadis Scorecard is based on four sustainability themes:

• Environment
• Labor and Human Rights
• Ethics
• Sustainable Procurement

Each area is evaluated using several management indicators, with scores ranging from 0 to 100 in increments of 25 (0, 25, 50, 75, 100). The weighted scores yield a score for each topic area, which are then combined to produce the overall rating.

Important: To be eligible for a medal, companies must score at least 30 points in each of the four categories.

Medal Awards in 2024 and 2025: New Rules, New Dynamics

Since 2024, EcoVadis has no longer awarded medals based on fixed scores, but rather on percentiles —that is, a company’s relative performance compared to all assessed companies worldwide.

An overview of the medal categories:

• Platinum: Top 1%
• Gold: Top 5%
• Silver: Top 15%
• Bronze: Top 35%

Companies that fall below these thresholds will not receive a medal—even if they achieve a high score. Negative findings from the 360° Watch or a score below 30 in any category will also result in disqualification.

EcoVadis badges as an alternative certification

For companies that have not (yet) received a medal, EcoVadis has recently started offering two badges:

• Committed Badge: 45 points or more, provided there are no severe 360° falls
• Fast Mover Badge: 34–44 points and an improvement of at least 6 points within 18 months

A company can receive either a medal or a badge —never both at the same time.

EcoVadis Scorecard 2025: Introduction of unrounded scores

Starting January 1, 2025, the scorecard will display exact scores (e.g., 68 instead of 70 out of 100). These unrounded values will then also be included in the calculation of the total score.

This leads to a more accurate assessment—and to potential variations in the overall result. Companies with varying strengths across different areas may see their ratings go up or down.

360° Watch Findings: A Threat to the Medal

One underestimated factor in the EcoVadis scoring process is the 360° Watch analysis. In this analysis, EcoVadis evaluates publicly available information (press reports, NGO reports, court rulings).

If a serious incident occurs (e.g., an environmental scandal or a human rights violation), this can result in a 360° Watch Score of 0—and thus lead to the revocation of a medal.

This applies in particular to:

• Repeated violations (cumulative)
• Outdated policies without documented improvement measures
• Failure to respond to public criticism

Tips for Improving Your EcoVadis Rating in 2025

Anyone who wants to specifically prepare for the EcoVadis rating should keep the following points in mind:

• Analyze the scorecard: Identify the areas with the lowest scores and target them for improvement
• Organizing documentation: Submit only valid, company-specific supporting documents (e.g., ISO certificates, guidelines, KPI reports)
• Managing 360° Reputation Risks: Taking Public Criticism Seriously, Responding Proactively, and Highlighting ESG Initiatives
• Setting goals: Define relevant ESG goals and regularly track progress toward them
• Avoid repetition: Strategically prioritize subject areas that consistently score low

Conclusion: Using EcoVadis as a strategic management tool

The EcoVadis medal is not just a label; it sends a clear message to markets, customers, and business partners: “We are systematically working to improve our sustainability.”

With the changes in 2024 and 2025, the system will become more demanding—but also more meaningful. Companies that manage their ESG data in a structured way, regularly work toward improvements, and keep the public in mind can not only secure a medal but also strengthen their sustainability strategy in the long term.

At Five Glaciers Consulting, we’re here to support you—with practical advice, industry expertise, and a clear process structure.