If your company has been asked to obtain an EcoVadis rating, you may be wondering whether you should manage the submission internally or work with an approved EcoVadis training partner.
This is one of the most common questions we hear from suppliers. Whether this is your first submission or you are trying to improve your medal score, choosing the right type of support can significantly impact your results.
In this guide, we will explain what an EcoVadis training partner is, how the approval process works, the difference between partner types, and how to decide what is right for your business.
Table of Contents
What Is an EcoVadis Training Partner?
An EcoVadis training partner is a consulting firm that has been officially approved by EcoVadis after completing a formal partner application process.
Approved partners must:
- Submit an official application
- Maintain their own valid EcoVadis scorecard
- Complete mandatory partner onboarding and training
- Participate in continuing education and live partner webinars
This ensures that approved consulting partners understand:
- EcoVadis scoring methodology
- Documentation expectations
- Policy requirements
- Improvement strategies
- Platform updates and new tools
Not every sustainability consultant qualifies as an approved EcoVadis training partner. Official partners are vetted and trained directly by EcoVadis.
EcoVadis-approved partners are trained, vetted, and supported by EcoVadis itself. That means whichever partner you choose, you can trust their expertise. The key is finding the partner that aligns with your company’s size, culture, and sustainability goals.
Why Companies Hire an EcoVadis Consulting Partner
EcoVadis is a third-party sustainability rating system that evaluates suppliers across four themes:
- Environment
- Labor & Human Rights
- Ethics
- Sustainable Procurement
Large enterprises often require their tier one and tier two suppliers to complete the EcoVadis questionnaire so they can evaluate supply chain risk.
While some companies manage submissions internally, others choose to work with a partner to:
- Improve a low score
- Prepare for a first-time submission
- Move from Bronze to Silver, Gold, or Platinum
- Develop stronger policies and measures
- Align sustainability strategy with procurement expectations
The right support can mean the difference between simply submitting documentation and strategically improving your score.
How EcoVadis Approves Training Partners
As an approved partner ourselves, we completed the full application process, submitted our own EcoVadis scorecard, and underwent structured onboarding training. This firsthand experience gives us insight into how the scoring logic is applied in practice.
The EcoVadis partner program includes multiple categories, but for suppliers, consulting partners are most relevant.
To become an approved consulting partner, firms must:
- Apply and undergo review
- Hold an active EcoVadis scorecard for their own organization
- Complete structured onboarding training
- Ensure team members complete partner education
- Stay engaged in ongoing updates and live sessions
There are typically two levels within consulting partnerships:
Core Partner
Core partners complete formal training and onboarding requirements. They are approved to support clients with submissions and score improvement strategies.
Strategic Partner
Strategic partners often operate at larger scale or with broader geographic reach. They may have expanded capabilities or integration support.
Both must meet EcoVadis’ approval standards.
Types of EcoVadis Training Partners
Not all approved partners operate the same way. Based on the market, consulting firms tend to fall into three general categories.
1. Global Consulting Firms
Examples include large multinational firms with deep audit and certification resources.
Strengths:
- Extensive global reach
- Strong compliance infrastructure
- Ideal for multinational enterprises
Considerations:
- Higher cost
- Less personalized support
- May move more slowly for mid-sized suppliers
2. Technology-First ESG Platforms
These firms combine EcoVadis consulting with proprietary ESG or carbon tracking software.
Strengths:
- Data dashboards
- Carbon tracking tools
- Automated reporting systems
Considerations:
- May focus more on tools than coaching
- Less tailored strategy for smaller teams
3. Hands-On EcoVadis Specialists
These consulting-first firms focus heavily on score improvement, documentation strategy, and supplier coaching.
Strengths:
- Personalized support
- Practical scorecard gap analysis
- Direct policy development guidance
- Faster responsiveness
Often best suited for small to mid-sized companies that need structured support but not enterprise-scale consulting teams.
Should You Hire an EcoVadis Training Partner or Do It Yourself?
Not every company needs external support.
You may be able to manage your submission internally if:
- You already have a sustainability lead
- Your policies are well documented
- You understand scoring methodology
- You have experience with ESG reporting
You may benefit from a partner if:
- Your previous score was lower than expected
- You are new to sustainability reporting
- You lack internal ESG expertise
- You want faster improvement
- Procurement pressure is increasing
Some companies use a partner for the first submission and then bring the process in-house later. Others retain support annually for strategic score improvements.
How to Choose the Right EcoVadis Training Partner for Your Business
When evaluating options, consider:
- Does the firm have an active EcoVadis scorecard?
- Are they officially listed as an approved partner?
- Do they specialize in companies your size?
- Are they consulting-first or software-first?
- Do you prefer hands-on coaching or structured dashboards?
- What is your budget and timeline?
There is no universal “best” partner. The right choice depends on your organization’s structure, goals, and level of internal expertise.
What Approved Partners Actually Help With
A qualified EcoVadis training partner typically supports:
- Scorecard review and gap analysis
- Policy drafting and documentation
- Measure and coverage strategy
- Evidence organization
- Staff training
- Procurement and supplier engagement alignment
- Annual improvement planning
The strongest partners do more than help you upload documents. They help you strengthen your sustainability program in a meaningful way.
What This Means for Your Business
If your company has been asked to obtain or improve an EcoVadis rating, this decision matters more than you might think.
Choosing an EcoVadis training partner is not about picking the biggest name or the flashiest dashboard. It is about finding the type of support that matches your internal capacity, your timeline, and your growth goals.
Some suppliers need global audit infrastructure.
Some need strong ESG software tools.
Others need hands-on strategy and clear direction to improve their score meaningfully.
EcoVadis is increasingly embedded in procurement decisions. Large enterprises use it to evaluate supplier risk, transparency, and maturity. That means your submission is not just a compliance exercise. It directly affects your competitiveness in the supply chain.
The right partner should help you:
- Understand how your scorecard is evaluated
- Identify gaps that actually impact scoring
- Strengthen policies and documentation
- Improve year over year with intention
- Align your sustainability work with customer expectations
At the end of the day, EcoVadis is a tool. The strategy behind it is what drives results.
Take the time to assess whether you need external guidance, software support, or internal ownership. The right decision will not just improve your score. It will strengthen your long-term sustainability structure.
Work With an Approved EcoVadis Training Partner
As an approved EcoVadis consulting and training partner, This Rock completed the formal application process, maintains an active EcoVadis scorecard, and participates in ongoing partner education.
We specialize in helping small to mid-sized suppliers move from reactive submissions to structured, strategic score improvement. Whether you are completing your first questionnaire or aiming to move from Bronze to Silver, Gold, or Platinum, we focus on practical, measurable improvements.
If you would like clarity on whether you should manage EcoVadis internally or work with a partner, book a free 15-minute introductory call with Lindsay at This Rock. We will help you determine the right approach for your business.
We are approved consultants & Partners,
with a Platinum Ecovadis Rating
FAQs
Do I need an EcoVadis partner to complete my scorecard?
No, you can complete the EcoVadis questionnaire on your own. However, a partner can guide you through best practices, highlight gaps, and improve your chances of achieving a higher score.
How do I find approved EcoVadis partners?
You can explore the official EcoVadis partner directory online, which lists approved consulting, technology, and integration partners by region.
What is the difference between a core and a strategic EcoVadis partner?
Both are trained and approved, but strategic partners typically have deeper resources and more extensive client programs. Core partners may be smaller and more specialized.
