Why is there a limit to the number of documents that can be provided?

A limit of 55 documents per assessment has been set for all companies, regardless of their size, to help ensure that only the most relevant documents are submitted. We encourage companies to consolidate and transparently disclose their information. Over the years, the top performers tend to have consolidated reports (Sustainability Reports), which can be associated with as many answers as applicable and obtain some of the highest scores without submitting combined documents. 

Please note that we do not accept combined documents as evidence. Combined documents refer to a single supporting documentation that consists of multiple sub-documents. For example, a rated company provides a combined document containing a mix of environmental policies, risk assessment and training materials. Documents from a robust sustainability management system should be pre-existing, well-structured and easily accessible for stakeholder reviews. Uploading combined documents does not respect the 55-document limit and cannot truly reflect the management system's reality and/or maturity. 

Examples of not acceptable combined documents:

• Collection of unrelated evidence (e.g. charts, receipts and photos) in one document file in an attempt to satisfy several questionnaire options (e.g. a compilation of documents showcasing actions implemented regarding energy consumption, water, and/or waste topics).
• Collection of multiple sub-documents, merged intentionally for the purpose of the EcoVadis assessment (e.g. various standalone policies and procedures).
• Customized document containing embedded files or links to standalone documents.

Exceptional cases that can be accepted:

• Collection of certifications for multiple operational sites.
• Consolidated reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for multiple sites (e.g. internal excel database with site-specific data).
• Combining documents that bring supplementary information regarding context and/or assurance of implementation (e.g. merging a compliance training plan with associated training materials and attendance records).
• Policy and procedure subsections within a management manual (e.g. Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) manual).
• Combined documents provided and rated from a past assessment will remain valid.
  

To help you select the most relevant documents for the assessment, we have compiled a Document Guide available from our Help Center: What type of supporting documents can I provide?
You can also refer to How To Meet the Document Limit and Avoid Submitting Combined Documents for more information on combined documents and document prioritization, which can also be found on the questionnaire platform.