Before you start reading
Welcome to Mon Entreprise Durable par Coptain! In a nutshell, our job is to enable CSR managers to multiply their impact! Would you like to be supported by EcoVadis? We’re here to help! Contact us by by clicking here. The whole team wishes you happy reading!
Before you start reading
Welcome to Mon Entreprise Durable par Coptain! In a nutshell, our job is to enable CSR managers to multiply their impact! Would you like to be supported by EcoVadis? We’re here to help! Contact us by by clicking here. The whole team wishes you happy reading!
Key points of the article
- Introduction: why choose EcoVadis for your Swiss company?
- Key steps to initiate your EcoVadis assessment
- Navigating the EcoVadis assessment process
- Maximize your chances of success
- After the assessment: making the most of your results
- Testimonials: feedback from Swiss companies
- The impact of the EcoVadis assessment on your supply chain
- Conclusion: EcoVadis, a catalyst for your company’s sustainability
Introduction: why choose EcoVadis for your Swiss company?
In a world where corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming a major issue, the EcoVadis assessment is an essential tool for Swiss companies wishing to communicate their actions and impact to their stakeholders. But why choose EcoVadis specifically to assess your CSR approach?
The challenges of sustainability in Switzerland
Switzerland places sustainability at the heart of its economic concerns. Swiss companies are increasingly aware of their responsibility towards the environment, society and business ethics. This awareness is accompanied by a growing demand for CSR transparency and performance.
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 the goal 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 benchmark for CSR assessment. This platform analyzes company performance according to four main themes: environment, social and human rights, ethics, and responsible purchasing. 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 identifies strengths and areas for improvement in CSR.
Source : bpifrance.fr
Key steps to initiate your EcoVadis assessment
- Prepare your company for the assessment: before you embark on the EcoVadis assessment, it’s crucial to prepare the ground. Start by raising your teams’ awareness of CSR issues and the importance of this approach for your company. Organize information and training sessions so that everyone understands their role in the process.
- Put together a dedicated team: the success of your EcoVadis assessment depends to a large extent on the quality of the team you put together. Ideally, this team should be multidisciplinary, including representatives from human resources, quality, purchasing and, of course, management. Make sure that every member understands the issues and is motivated to contribute actively to the process.
- Gather 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, etc. Make sure these documents are up to date and accurately reflect your current practices.
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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 evaluation. Make sure you provide precise information about your company, including your sector of activity, your size and your location. These elements are crucial, as they will determine the personalization of your questionnaire. 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!
Deciphering the EcoVadis questionnaire
The EcoVadis questionnaire is at the heart of the assessment. It is customized to your company profile and covers the four main themes mentioned above. Each question must be carefully addressed, with detailed answers and supporting documentation. 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 approach
- Submit evidence that is incomplete or difficult to interpret
Maximize your chances of success
Criteria specific to Swiss companies
Swiss companies should pay particular attention to certain aspects of the EcoVadis evaluation. For example, since Switzerland has strict environmental standards, your practices in this area will be carefully scrutinized. Similarly, your commitment to business ethics and transparency, values dear to Switzerland, will need to be clearly demonstrated.
Strategies for obtaining an optimal score from the first assessment
To maximize your EcoVadis score from the very 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 approach
- Regularly train your employees on CSR issues
The importance of transparency and completeness
Transparency is a key element of the EcoVadis assessment. Don’t hesitate to share your difficulties and areas for improvement. This honesty is appreciated and shows your commitment to continuous improvement.
After the assessment: making the most of your results
Interpret your score and detailed report: once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report including your overall score and scores by theme. Analyze this report in depth to understand your strengths and weaknesses. The EcoVadis report also provides recommendations for improvement, which you should study carefully.
Draw up an action plan for continuous improvement: based on your EcoVadis report, draw up a concrete action plan to improve your CSR performance. Set SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound) and define clear responsibilities for each action.
Communicate effectively on your EcoVadis assessment: your EcoVadis assessment is a powerful communication asset. Use your score and medal (if awarded) in your internal and external communications. This can reinforce your brand image, motivate your employees and attract new customers and partners. Good to know: to be able to communicate your score externally, you’ll need to take out a Premium subscription!
Testimonials: feedback from Swiss companies
SMEs vs. large companies: specific challenges
Swiss companies’ experiences with EcoVadis vary according to their size. For example, Intersnack Switzerland, a major player in the food industry, was awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2024 for the second year running. This result places the company among the top 5% worldwide and in the top 2% of food companies. Intersnack has distinguished itself through its initiatives in sustainable sourcing and human rights, crucial areas for its sector. These efforts have earned Intersnack among the top 1% of companies in the food industrydemonstrating 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 type of documents expected are simplified. It is therefore quite possible to achieve an excellent score! For example, Model AG Switzerland, an SME, was also awarded an EcoVadis Gold Medal, proving that size is no barrier to CSR excellence.
Business sectors: focus on specific features
It’s important to note that some of the questions on the EcoVadis questionnaire are industry-specific. This approach enables a more precise and relevant assessment of the CSR practices specific to each industry. For example, a manufacturing company might have more detailed questions on industrial waste management, while a service company might be asked more about its customer data protection practices.
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 suppliers and customers. It enables you to demonstrate your CSR commitment in a tangible and credible way. What’s more, by encouraging your suppliers to follow the same approach, you’re helping to create a more sustainable supply chain.
EcoVadis assessment as a competitive lever in Switzerland and abroad: for Swiss companies, the EcoVadis assessment can be a real competitive lever, both on the national and international markets. It can open up new business opportunities for you, particularly with large companies who are increasingly demanding this certification from their suppliers.
Conclusion: EcoVadis, a catalyst for your company's sustainability
Assessment benefits
The EcoVadis assessment offers many advantages for your Swiss company:
- International recognition for 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
Looking ahead: EcoVadis and the evolution of CSR standards in Switzerland
In the future, the importance of EcoVadis and other CSR assessments will only grow in Switzerland. As regulations and consumer expectations evolve, CSR will become increasingly central to corporate strategy. By committing to this approach now, you are preparing your company for future challenges, and positioning yourself as a responsible and innovative player on the Swiss and international markets.
In short, make sure that every document you submit is clearly linked to your CSR practices, and that it provides concrete evidence of your actions and results.