What is the EcoVadis Training Partner program?

In this article:

• Who are the partners?
• How the program works
• Can a Training Partner complete the assessment for me?
• How are partners selected?
• Finding a training partner
• Verifying if an organization is an accredited EcoVadis partner
• Do training partners run webinars? 
• Do I have to pay for support?
• Will they help me improve my score?
• Can training partners see my scorecard? 
• What if I’m not happy with the support I have received?

As a rating agency, EcoVadis cannot provide direct consulting services. However, if you seek more ways to understand, respond to and improve your score, EcoVadis Training Partners are approved partners that help support requesting and rated companies. They work to educate EcoVadis customers on the assessment process to optimize their response and improve their sustainability performance and practices. They can also work with EcoVadis customers after they receive their scorecard to help consider implementing improvements and how you might improve your broader supply chain sustainability practices.

Who are the partners?

Many partners tend to be sustainability consultants. However, some are larger organizations with a sustainability business unit, and some are individual freelancers with relevant experience in sustainability practices. 

How can partners support me? 

Our training partners are there to offer individual support to your organization, depending on your needs and requirements. The support they offer can be split into three broad categories:

• Educating and supporting suppliers in understanding the EcoVadis methodology and, when requested, supporting with assessment completion;
• Providing consultancy services for suppliers to understand their scorecard and Corrective Action Plan, and when requested, support with implementing improvements and broader supply chain sustainability practices;
• Helping requesting companies understand how the EcoVadis assessment can benefit them and their supply chain sustainability and help them develop their sustainability management programs for both themselves and for their suppliers.

Would a Training Partner be able to complete the assessment for me?

Partners can support you with completing the assessment. However, you will still need to be involved. They can help understand and meet the evaluation criteria and upload supporting evidence documentation. They won’t know the details of your sustainability management system or policies, actions and results that have been implemented within your organization, so you will need to work with them to provide the information they need to complete the assessment.

How are partners selected?

All our Training Partners must go through an application and approval process. All are required to complete an EcoVadis training course and acknowledge regular updates to our methodology and assessment process. All partners must also complete an EcoVadis assessment with a minimum score of 50. Everyone working for a training partner and with EcoVadis clients must also complete a comprehensive online training course.

How can I find a training partner?

You can go ahead and visit our website to see our current approved partners.

How do I know if an organization is an approved EcoVadis partner? 

You should see one of these badges on their website, with the current year marked on it.

EV Training Partners badges
Document Classification: Reserved for accredited Training Partners

Do training partners run webinars? 

It is not a requirement for our partners to host webinars, but many of them do. These will often cover an introduction to EcoVadis and an overview of the methodology and assessment. They may also run webinars on specific topics linked to common areas of improvement that EcoVadis customers are keen to learn more about. Webinars will be promoted on partner websites, and you can view any upcoming webinars in your region here. 

Do I have to pay for support?

Yes, as these partners are independent organizations from EcoVadis, they will charge you a fee for their service. The cost will depend on the type and level of support you are receiving from them. Webinars are usually free to attend. 

Will they help me improve my score?

We can’t guarantee that receiving support from a Training Partner will improve your score. However, the support they give should ensure you complete the EcoVadis assessment to the full potential of your organization and therefore receive a score that truly reflects your sustainability performance. They can also support you in directly addressing your improvement areas, positively impacting your company’s sustainability practices. 

Can training partners see my scorecard? 

They can only see your scorecard if you agree to share it. Please take a look at this article to find out how to share your scorecard. 

What if I’m not happy with the support I have received?

In the first instance, please raise this directly with the organization that has supported you. You should have a contract directly with the Training Partner which outlines how to deal with complaints. We regularly collect customer feedback from our partners and monitor their performance every 12 months.
If you can’t resolve your issue directly with the organization, please email trainingpartners@ecovadis.com.