Key Methodology Highlights

Welcome to your quarterly digest of methodology updates. As global sustainability standards continue to evolve, we regularly refine our assessment framework to ensure accuracy, transparency, and regulatory alignment. Below, you will find a curated overview of the most critical methodology changes—starting with our newest updates—designed to help you navigate your sustainability journey with confidence.

Q2 2026 Updates

This quarter focuses on refining environmental standards, standardizing workflows, and enhancing diagnostic feedback.

• Environmental Targets: Respondents must now specify their calculation methodologies for Scope 2 Market- and Location-based Targets to ensure alignment with GHG Protocol standards.
• Pre-Publication Review: We are implementing a universal two-day pre-publication factual error check, which will result in the Phase-out of the Select Check Up and Select Score Drop Consultation.
• Scorecard Granularity: The third batch of Additional scorecard granularity through new Improvement Areas delivers highly specific, diagnostic feedback mapping directly to sector best practices for Water, Biodiversity, and Air pollution criteria.

For details on these, and all recent updates, read the full Q2 2026 updates here (Sign-in required)

Q1 2026 Updates

This quarter brings 10 methodology updates to our framework. Here are the top three priorities focusing on EU ESG alignment, environmental assessments, and new processes to improve your scorecard clarity.

• EU ESG Alignment: New methodology disclosure documents published for all solutions to ensure our framework aligns with the EU ESG Rating Regulation.
• Scorecard Enhancements: We announced the Launch of Scorecard Pre-Publication Process, giving rated companies an exclusive two-business-day window to review their assessment and flag any factual errors before the results are published to the network.
• Environmental Theme Assessments: We introduced a Questionnaire update on Environmental Risk Preparedness featuring new evidence-based questions focused on environmental risk assessments and actions for managing external disruptions.

To read about all 10 methodology changes implemented this quarter, please visit the complete Q1 2026 Updates article (Sign-in required).

Q4 2025 Updates 

This quarter brings 14 methodology updates to our framework. Here are the top three priorities focusing on assessment scope rules, reporting standards, and controversy evaluation.

• Assessment Scope: The Update on Conglomerates Assessment Scope Rules clarifies that Group-level assessments for conglomerates are only permitted when over 51% of turnover comes from the same business field.

• Reporting Standards: The Integration of EFRAG VSME Standard: New Strengths and Scoring Logic introduces specific scorecard strengths for companies reporting in accordance with VSME modules.

• Risk Evaluation: New mitigating and aggravating factors added to the 360 watch findings formalize considerations for stakeholder consensus when dealing with potential adverse sustainability impacts.

To read about all 14 methodology changes implemented this quarter, please visit the complete Q4 2025 Updates article.

Q3 2025 Updates 

This quarter brings 8 methodology updates to our framework. Here are the top three priorities focusing on risk assessments and environmental criteria.

• Risk Assessment: The biannual Country Risk Update confirmed that there are no changes to the risk levels for Human Rights and Governance factors at this time.

• Environmental Evaluations: The Materials, Chemicals & Waste Measures Revision aligns our criteria with global regulations through clearer guidance and new examples.

• Office Activities Reporting: A Materials, Chemicals & Waste Policy and Reporting Update for Office Activities simplifies the questionnaire by making "Waste" the exclusive reporting option for specific service sectors.

To read about all 8 methodology changes implemented this quarter, please visit the complete Q3 2025 Updates article.

Q2 2025 Updates 

This quarter brings 3 targeted methodology updates to our framework, focusing on evaluation criteria and enhanced feedback clarity.

• Evaluation Criteria: Preventing Discrimination and Harassment in EcoVadis Methodology officially changes the former DEI criterion name to maintain comparability across suppliers and geographies.

• Scorecard Transparency: We introduced Improvement areas regarding reporting quality factors for small and medium-sized companies to provide specific feedback on GEN600 options and encourage best practices.

• Feedback Clarification: An Update to Answer Rejection Reasons Wording retroactively improves the clarity of rejection explanations for scorecards published since August 2024. 

To read about all 3 methodology changes implemented this quarter, please visit the complete Q2 2025 Updates article.

Q1 2025 Updates 

This quarter brings 7 methodology updates to our framework. Here are the top three priorities streamlining documentation and introducing new reporting guidelines.

• Documentation Rules: An Update to Document basic requirements removes the need for company names on certain training certificates and eliminates the strict one-month issue date rule.

• Industry Customization: The Customization of Criteria Pilot Launch introduces new materiality questions to tailor environmental topics based on inputs from specific industries.

• Reporting Standards: ESRS and ISSB Sustainability Standards Guidelines confirm that aligning your sustainability reports with these emerging standards can result in a higher Reporting indicator score.

To read about all 7 methodology changes implemented this quarter, please visit the complete Q1 2025 Updates article.