How EcoVadis ratings can simplify responsible partnerships

Sustainability and Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) aspects are now a competitive advantage when choosing a supplier or partner. But with seemingly everyone pushing sustainability messaging, it can sometimes be tricky to know whom to trust or what to believe when it comes to truly responsible business operations.

Sustainability ratings certifications, accreditations, memberships and awards are a tool that can help you navigate the market. Organisations that assess a company’s commitment to sustainability across tangible measures are one way to find a reliable and evidence-based guide to what ‘good’ operations look like. In this blog, we’ll explore a trusted sustainability assessor for businesses, what it takes to achieve a certain level of certification, and how Rentokil Initial is working to operate more responsibly with their support.

What is EcoVadis?

EcoVadis is a well-known sustainability organisation bestowed by the globally recognised, independent assessor of the same name, which grants, upon specific criteria, a sustainability certification. Founded in 2007, EcoVadis has become a leading provider of independent, evidence-based, non-financial sustainability certifications, assessing over 100,000 companies, including Rentokil Initial.  Their mission is ‘to provide reliable, globally recognised sustainability certifications, assessments and insights, enabling all companies to reduce risks, drive improvement and accelerate positive impact on their supply chain,  our planet and society.’

The EcoVadis scoring scale

The EcoVadis scoring system is simple: audited companies receive a scorecard with a rating from zero to 100. This scorecard highlights specific strengths and weaknesses, while medals are awarded to recognise those that have demonstrated a robust management system addressing defined sustainability criteria.

This assessment methodology is built on seven foundational principles:

1. Evidence-based: Scores are not based on promises or self-declarations. Companies must provide tangible proof, such as official policies, certificates, and KPI reports, to validate their claims.
2. Tailored scope: The assessment criteria are adjusted based on the company’s specific industry, size, and geographic risk factors.
3. Diverse data sources: Analysts don't just rely on company data; they cross-reference it with external insights from NGOs, trade unions, and international organisations to ensure a complete view.
4. Expert analysis: A global team of sustainability specialists reviews the data to ensure it aligns with the latest international best practices.
5. Secure technology: The process uses advanced platforms to guarantee data confidentiality and ensure assessments are delivered efficiently.
6. Traceability and transparency: Every document is securely tracked, and companies receive a detailed breakdown explaining exactly how their score was calculated.
7. Continuous methodological improvement: The rating system itself is constantly refined by a scientific committee and stakeholder feedback to ensure the methodology remains robust and up to date.

What are the main areas of EcoVadis assessments?

The EcoVadis assessment is a comprehensive examination across all Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects which helps to determine how sustainability is integrated in each company. This includes several  CSR criteria covering a range of non-financial systems under four key themes: 

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

The EcoVadis assessment process

When a business applies to undergo EcoVadis’ assessment, the process includes the following:

1. Tailored questionnaire: The business completes an intensive questionnaire based on its industry, size and operational locations. A variety of data sources are also collected to ensure objectivity (eg customer-provided documents and third-party confirmations, like certifications and labels).
2. Document verification: EcoVadis conducts a comprehensive analysis of the documents, verifying the responses and rejecting or approving them accordingly.
3. 360° watch: Information concerning the business from external sources (eg non-governmental organisations, trade unions, international organisations and press) is also collected, enabling a 360° analysis to screen for further information.
4. Scoring and medals: This analysis results in an overall score out of one hundred. High performers are awarded medals (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum) based on their percentile rank compared to other assessed companies over the previous 12 months. As of 2026, the Bronze Medal is awarded to those in the top 35%, the Silver Medal to the top 15%, the Gold Medal to the top 5%, and the Platinum Medal to the top 1%.
5. Roadmap for improvement: The company receives a detailed scorecard outlining specific strengths and priority areas for improvement. This scorecard can be shared with the business’ customers or other companies.

So, how can an EcoVadis rating benefit your business?

If you’re looking to acquire a new supplier, certifications ratings like EcoVadis can help simplify things. EcoVadis, as independent rating, offers reassurance that a provider is committed to specific ESG standards.

EcoVadis’ comprehensive assessment means that not only have the company’s core practices been investigated, but also supply chain management and broader initiatives. By benchmarking companies against others in the market, EcoVadis ratings can help you choose and trust which provider is aligned with your goals and best placed to support your business.

A holistic approach to responsibility for Rentokil Initial

For us at Rentokil Initial Group, EcoVadis’ certifications are helping us assess our sustainability management system. As our Group Safety, Health and Environment Director, Jason Lannie, highlights, “At Rentokil Initial Group, we were thrilled to be awarded the prestigious Silver Medal rating from EcoVadis in November 2025. This rating demonstrates that our sustainability management system ranks in the top 15% of companies assessed.”

Under our Group Global certification, Rentokil Initial has 11 countries in scope spread across different geographies: France, Germany, Portugal, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Italy, India, and Brazil. These countries all achieved significant ratings.

And our partnership with EcoVadis doesn’t stop at the score. We’re committed to long-term improvements, and that means we’re constantly learning, growing and improving. We apply annually to EcoVadis certifications, leveraging the results to create ongoing, positive changes in our business alongside our existing programmes, like our ultra-low emission vehicle fleets and success in reducing our use of plastic in packaging and products.

With this drive behind us, we’re working towards our goal of net-zero carbon emissions from our operations by 2040 and following the Environmental Statement which reflects our strategy released in 2020. Our global and local teams focus on three ‘pillars’: solutions, operations and workplace. Under the operations pillar, we’re not only looking at our own business but are also considering the environmental impact of our suppliers. 

We assess all our critical suppliers on environmental performance. Where available, we prioritise independent, third-party certifications like EcoVadis, but we use our own comprehensive internal rating for suppliers in markets where external accreditation is limited. Our internal assessments are conducted against the comprehensive Rentokil Initial Supplier Management Standard, which is regularly reviewed. In addition to ESG reporting requirements, it specifies the required standards of product quality, regulatory compliance, factory management and delivery performance.

Ready to reach out to an EcoVadis-rated provider?

We know that the organisations you choose to work with are an extension of your own sustainability commitments. As your partners in pest control, we’re here to support you by working to reduce the environmental impact of the products and services you rely on to protect your business from pests.