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Introduction: Why Choose the EcoVadis Assessment for Your Swiss Company?
In a world where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming a major issue, the EcoVadis assessment has emerged as an essential tool for Swiss companies seeking to communicate their actions and their impact to their partners. But why choose EcoVadis specifically to assess your CSR efforts?
The challenges of sustainability in Switzerland
Switzerland places sustainability at the heart of its economic priorities. Swiss companies are increasingly aware of their responsibility toward the environment, society, and business ethics. This growing awareness is accompanied by a rising demand for transparency and strong performance in the area of CSR.
Recently, Switzerland has strengthened its commitment to sustainable development with the entry into force of important new laws:
- The revised CO2 Act Act came into force on January 1, 2022. It aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.
- The Climate and Innovation Act was passed by Parliament in September 2022. It sets a target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
These new regulations are prompting Swiss companies to accelerate their transition to more sustainable business models.
EcoVadis: An Internationally Recognized Standard
EcoVadis has established itself as a global leader in CSR assessment. This platform evaluates companies’ performance across four main areas: the environment, social issues and human rights, ethics, and responsible procurement. For Swiss companies, choosing EcoVadis offers several advantages:
- International recognition that facilitates business relations, especially with export markets
- A robust methodology adapted to all business sectors
- A continuous improvement tool that helps identify strengths and areas for improvement in CSR
Source : bpifrance.fr
Key Steps to Get Started with Your EcoVadis Assessment
- Prepare Your Company for the Assessment: Before embarking on the EcoVadis assessment, it is crucial to lay the groundwork. Start by raising awareness among your teams about CSR issues and the importance of this process for your company. Organize information and training sessions so that everyone understands their role in the process.
- Assemble a dedicated team: The success of your EcoVadis assessment depends largely on the quality of the team you put together. Ideally, this team should be multidisciplinary, including representatives from human resources, quality, procurement, and, of course, senior management. Make sure that each member understands the stakes and is motivated to actively contribute to the process.
- Gather the essential documents: The EcoVadis assessment is based on documentary evidence of your CSR practices. It is therefore essential to gather all relevant documents in advance. This may include your CSR policies, audit reports, certifications, environmental performance data, social initiatives, and more. Make sure these documents are up to date and accurately reflect your current practices.
Navigating the EcoVadis Assessment Process
Registering on the platform: points not to miss
Registering on the EcoVadis platform is the first concrete step in your assessment. Be sure to provide accurate information about your company, including your industry, size, and location. These details are crucial because they will determine how your questionnaire is tailored. And above all, if you then need to change, it will take time, require supporting documents, and force you to re-enter the answers in your new questionnaire… So take a few minutes to think carefully about these seemingly trivial questions!
Understanding the EcoVadis Questionnaire
The EcoVadis questionnaire is at the heart of the assessment. It is tailored to your company’s profile and covers the four main topics mentioned above. Each question should be addressed carefully, providing detailed answers and attaching the appropriate supporting documents. Don’t hesitate to make notes as you go along. Otherwise, when you re-read your questionnaire in a few weeks’ time, you won’t know why you selected a particular answer.
Pitfalls to avoid when submitting evidence
The quality and relevance of the evidence you submit are crucial to your assessment. Avoid common mistakes such as :
- Providing obsolete or irrelevant documents
- Neglecting certain aspects of your CSR efforts
- Submit evidence that is incomplete or difficult to interpret
Maximize your chances of success
Criteria specific to Swiss companies
Swiss companies must pay particular attention to certain aspects of the EcoVadis assessment. For example, since Switzerland has strict environmental standards, your practices in this area will be closely scrutinized. Similarly, your commitment to business ethics and transparency—values that are highly prized in Switzerland—must be clearly demonstrated.
Strategies for obtaining an optimal score from the first assessment
To maximize your EcoVadis score right from your first assessment:
- Make sure you have formalized and documented CSR policies
- Set up performance indicators for each theme assessed
- Involve your stakeholders in your CSR efforts
- Provide your employees with regular training on CSR issues
The importance of transparency and completeness
Transparency is a key element of the EcoVadis assessment. Please feel free to share your challenges and areas for improvement. This honesty is appreciated and demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement.
After the assessment: making the most of your results
Interpreting Your Score and Detailed Report: Once the assessment is complete, you will receive a detailed report that includes your overall score and scores by category. Carefully review this report to understand your strengths and weaknesses. The EcoVadis report also provides recommendations for improvement that you should review carefully.
Develop an action plan for continuous improvement: Based on your EcoVadis report, develop a concrete action plan to improve your CSR performance. Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) and define clear responsibilities for each action.
Communicate Effectively About Your EcoVadis Assessment: Your EcoVadis assessment is a powerful communication tool. Use your score and your medal (if awarded) in your internal and external communications. This can strengthen your brand image, motivate your employees, and attract new customers and partners. Good to know: To be able to share your score externally, you’ll need to sign up for a Premium subscription!
Testimonials: feedback from Swiss companies
SMEs vs. large companies: specific challenges
Swiss companies’ experiences with EcoVadis vary depending on their size. For example, Intersnack Switzerland, a major player in the food industry, was awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2024 for the second consecutive year. This result places the company among the top 5% globally and in the top 2% of food companies. Intersnack stood out for its initiatives in sustainable sourcing and human rights—areas that are crucial to its industry. These efforts enabled it to rank among the top 1% of companies in the food industry, thereby demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainability and transparency.
For Swiss SMEs, the challenge may seem greater in terms of resources, but the number of questions and the types of documents required are simplified. It is therefore entirely possible to achieve an excellent score! For example, Model AG Switzerland, an SME, also earned an EcoVadis gold medal, proving that size is no barrier to excellence in CSR.
Business sectors: focus on specific features
It is important to note that some questions on the EcoVadis questionnaire are specific to certain industries. This approach allows for a more accurate and relevant assessment of the CSR practices specific to each industry. For example, a company in the manufacturing sector might be asked more detailed questions about industrial waste management, while a service company might be asked more about its practices regarding customer data protection.
The Impact of the EcoVadis Assessment on Your Supply Chain
Strengthen your relationships with suppliers and customers: The EcoVadis assessment can significantly improve your relationships with your suppliers and customers. It allows you to demonstrate your commitment to CSR in a tangible and credible way. Furthermore, by encouraging your suppliers to follow the same approach, you help create a more sustainable supply chain.
The EcoVadis assessment as a driver of competitiveness in Switzerland and internationally: For Swiss companies, the EcoVadis assessment can be a real driver of competitiveness, both in the domestic and international markets. It can open up new business opportunities for you, particularly with large companies that are increasingly requiring this certification from their suppliers.
Conclusion: EcoVadis, a Catalyst for Your Company's Sustainability
Assessment benefits
The EcoVadis assessment offers many benefits for your Swiss company:
- International recognition of your CSR efforts
- A tool for continuous improvement of your practices
- A competitive edge in national and international markets
- Better Management of CSR-Related Risks
Future Outlook: EcoVadis and the Evolution of CSR Standards in Switzerland
In the future, the importance of EcoVadis and other CSR assessments will only continue to grow in Switzerland. As regulations and consumer expectations evolve, CSR will become increasingly central to corporate strategy. By committing to this process now, you are preparing your company for future challenges and positioning yourself as a responsible and innovative player in the Swiss and international markets.
Your goal is to obtain the EcoEntreprise certification? Put your trust in a company that has been through the same programme. We also support you with the standards B Corpand CSRD and EcoVadis.
In summary, make sure that each document you submit is clearly linked to your CSR practices and that it provides concrete evidence of your actions and results.