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ÉcoEntreprise certification is a mark of quality recognizing companies committed to sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices. The aim of this certification is to encourage and promote eco-responsible behavior within companies, while offering official recognition of their efforts in the field of sustainable development. Established in 2005, the program enables companies to assess and highlight their level of maturity in terms of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility. Our article provides a comprehensive overview of the subject, and will help you choose the EcoEntreprise certification that’s right for your company.
The Origins of the EcoEntreprise Framework
The EcoEntreprise framework draws its inspiration from the ISO 26000 standard, established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in November 2010, which sets out the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility and organizational social responsibility. This standard served as the basis for developing the EcoEntreprise certification, a program aimed at promoting sustainable development within Swiss companies. Since 2013, the EcoEntreprise program has been available to all organizations in Switzerland, and it is continually evolving to adapt to the specific characteristics of each company or sector.
What is EcoEntreprise certification?
In a world where the environmental transformations caused by climate change are becoming increasingly significant and frequent, a company, whatever its sector of activity, must be able to justify its positive integration within the framework of sustainable development, as well as its social responsibilities. Any company wishing to do so, whatever its sector of activity, can use a checklist available on the Internet called OK Pilotto assess its “level of integration”. This diagnosis enables the company to take stock of its situation in these areas, and to define its strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the results obtained, several rankings are possible.
Certification levels
To obtain EcoEntreprise certification, your organization or company must complete an assessment based on the OK Pilot checklist available online. There are two versions of this checklist: the comprehensive version and the basic version. Based on this checklist, an audit is then conducted by an independent organization, which issues the certification for a period of three years. A follow-up audit is also conducted annually.
After theexternal audit, three certifications can be issued by the certification body. First, the EcoEntreprise DD (Sustainable Development) Certificate. The latter is the guarantor of a company’s high level of SD performance. Then there’s a second certificate, the EcoEntreprise Certificate for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility, which is based on the ISO 26000 standards and vouches for a company’s performance in these two areas. Last but not least, the
For the sake of completeness, we should point out that there is also certification based on a declaration by the company itself, but without an external audit. This involves signing a specific form in which the company undertakes to respect a certain number of criteria. This “light” certification is valid for one year.
Over the past twenty years, the EcoEntreprise certification has established itself as the gold standard in this field in Switzerland. This success can be attributed first and foremost to the fact that it is based on the international ISO 26000 standard, which encompasses a wide range of criteria and is particularly rigorous. Furthermore, EcoEntreprise inspires confidence through an external audit that validates and formalizes all results, thereby ensuring clear visibility and increased trust. Finally, EcoEntreprise certification is also recognized at the European level; if your company obtains one of the two EcoEntreprise certifications (SD/CSR or Excellence), it will also receive the European Responsibility Europelabel, which is the benchmark in the fields of both social responsibility and sustainable development.
As a leading certification, EcoEntreprise is already incorporated into the public procurement process and taken into account when awarding public contracts. That is why, in some cantons, if your company is not certified, it will be more difficult to be awarded a public contract.
What level of certification should my company aim for?
Every situation is different, but every business, regardless of its size, stands to benefit from obtaining the EcoEntreprise certification. Of course, the ideal certification may vary depending on the company’s size, resources, and industry. We’re here to help you choose the certification level that’s right for your business.
For an SME
For an SME, the EcoEntreprise program offers numerous benefits. First and foremost, it allows them to conduct a comprehensive and thorough analysis their environmental impact. It is also a valuable tool for evaluating their CSR practices and enables them to make the appropriate decisions and take the necessary actions. The assessment or audit can be conducted in-house, if the company has the necessary personnel, or by external auditors. Of course, the budget will be quite different in that case. The impact on potential customers will also vary, as the self-assessment provides only a basic status, which simply certifies that a company has implemented a sustainability/CSR initiative.
For an SME, the main obstacle to obtaining certification will be cost. Indeed, we can break down the costs associated with Eco Entreprise certification into three categories. The first is the various costs involved in implementing the company’s CSR/DD approach, which can vary widely. The second is the cost of using the OK Pilot software, which takes the form of a subscription, the amount of which varies according to the size of the company, the number of employees and the number of checklists to be completed. The subscription gives access to specialist advice, as well as visibility on the EcoEntreprise website and social networks.
Finally, the third cost is the external audit. Again, this varies greatly depending on the size of the company, but also on the certification being sought. In fact, the higher the level of certification you aim for, the higher the costs will be. You will find the rates on this page. This fee includes the initial audit, follow-up audit and certification. This represents a definite cost, which is why many SMEs prefer to self-declare, such as Ferrari Architects based in Lausanne
So, for an SME, self-declaration can be a good starting point, which can then be used as the basis for certification. The main argument will be budgetary.
For a medium-sized company
The questions that arise are the same as for an SME. Very often, the SD/CSR approach is more advanced in a medium-sized company, which implies a more in-depth analysis. That’s why we advise you to opt for one of the three levels of certification (Eco Entreprise DD, Entreprise DD & RSE or Entreprise “Excellence”), rather than self-declaration. This choice enables them to obtain a certification that gives them a real competitive edge over competitors, who are generally more numerous than for an SME. Very often, these companies may already have ISO-type certifications, which makes it easier to carry out the audit and obtain EcoEntreprise certification. In fact, EcoEntreprise takes ISO standards into account, which means that companies choosing EcoEntreprise have no duplication in their analysis. What’s more, EcoEntreprise has been designated as the reference certification in Switzerland, enabling equivalence and gateways with other European certifications.
You can find the rates on the subscription cost and on audit + certification directly on the EcoEntreprise website.
For large companies
For a large company, the issues are slightly different. Brand image is a powerful argument, and in today’s world where climate change and environmental protection are at the forefront of customer concerns, it’s essential to show that your company really is taking steps to do its bit for the planet. For this type of company, it seems essential to aim for EcoEntreprise Excellence certification, which represents a definite cost, but whose benefits in terms of image, reputation and competitive advantage will more than offset the sums invested. Nevertheless, the need for Excellence certification may vary according to the company’s sector of activity. For example, a company with an activity considered to be polluting, such as construction, industry or transport, will be more interested in obtaining this level of certification than a service company.
What are the steps involved in obtaining certification?
Diagnosis
Once you’ve decided to pursue the EcoEntreprise certification, the first step is simply to conduct an initial assessment by completing one of the checklists available to you (either the comprehensive or basic version). The basic checklist is intended for smaller businesses with a low environmental impact. These two checklists are based on the OK Pilot software and enable a precise diagnosis of the initial situation. This diagnosis can be carried out in-house, or by an external service provider if no-one in the company can do it.
After this initial diagnostic stage, the company needs to define the sustainable development and corporate social responsibility criteria on which it wishes/can act and position itself. This depends on a number of criteria, such as business sector, company size, etc.
Towards certification
The diagnosis, carried out online using OK Pilot software, provides instant information on whether the company meets the standards required for certification. All requirements are available online. Right from this stage, your company has the opportunity to communicate the results of the assessment, so as to benefit as soon as possible from the positive spin-offs generated.
Performing the audit
Once the checklist has been completed and the modifications made, you can arrange for an external audit to be carried out by an accredited certification body. This body will check that the results are in line with the certification requirements. Once the audit has been completed, the certification body will award your certificate.
This certificate provides a clear indication of the results achieved by your company, which will be all the more profitable if the results are good. If there is room for improvement, the auditor will suggest it.
How do I keep my certification?
Once EcoEntreprise certification has been obtained, it must be maintained. To this end, a follow-up audit will be conducted at the end of the first year and again at the end of the second year. These audits are less rigorous than the initial audit, which is much more comprehensive. At the end of the three-year certification period, a recertification audit will allow the certification to be extended.
Which organizations carry out the audits?
If you wish to obtain EcoEntreprise certification, you must use a recognized organization to conduct the certification audit. You are completely free to choose the certifying body from the list of partners “Certification Audits” partners.
Once you’ve chosen an organization, you’ll need to specify the certification you hope to obtain, as well as all the legal information about your company (location, number of employees, certifications already obtained, etc.).
To conclude...
Choosing the right level of EcoEntreprise certification is a crucial step for any organization seeking to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development and social responsibility. Whether you are an SME, a medium-sized company, or a large enterprise, there is a certification tailored to your needs and capabilities. SMEs can start with a self-declaration before aiming for a more ambitious certification, while medium-sized and large companies can opt for higher certification levels to strengthen their competitiveness and brand image. By incorporating the rigorous standards of ISO 26000 and undergoing rigorous external audits, EcoEntreprise certification offers official and prestigious recognition of the efforts made by Swiss companies to contribute to a more sustainable future. Regardless of your organization’s size, committing to this process is an investment not only in the company itself but also in society as a whole.
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.
