In this context, manufacturers of process and packaging machinery, as well as associated service providers, are also concerned and encouraged to undergo this assessment. While the required structuring work may seem substantial, particularly for SMEs without dedicated CSR resources, feedback is positive: obtaining a first EcoVadis medal often proves to be a real lever for improvement.
Christelle Coube, CSR representative at Stoppil, who led this initiative to obtain a Silver medal this year, explains: “The required documentation work allows the company to better position itself on the four pillars of CSR: environment, ethics, social responsibility, and responsible purchasing. The medal is a valuable recognition that shows the teams that this objective is achievable and motivates them to go further.”
The same observation was made at Socaps, a mission-driven company specializing in providing technicians for the installation, maintenance, and after-sales service of industrial machinery. Amélie Deffossé, QSE project manager, emphasizes: “The Ecovadis assessment was a catalyst for undertaking profound transformations, starting with the dual materiality analysis. It is a structuring tool for embedding the company in a continuous improvement approach and mobilizing all employees.”
Furthermore, there are few obstacles to participation. As Fatima Zaraba, co-founder of Entreprises Engagées, explains: “Ecovadis provides a suitable entry point for SMEs, as the size of the company is taken into account in the questionnaire.” She therefore encourages business leaders to anticipate and familiarize themselves with the platform before any regulatory or commercial constraints arise: “Getting involved now allows you to progress and move forward at the same pace as your peers.”
Beyond the individual stakes, CSR assessment fosters a collective dynamic. It is fully aligned with the values of sharing and collective intelligence driven by Geppia and its members. Ecovadis aims to generate sustainable transformations across supply chains, particularly through the mobilization of stakeholders around the calculation and reduction of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
Finally, declaring their actions on the platform helps to highlight the CSR performance of French companies. France thus ranks 3rd globally in the Ecovadis 2024 ranking, with an overall score of 60.4. Furthermore, 36% of the companies assessed obtained a score above 65, compared to 28% for the European Union as a whole, 23% for the OECD, and 9% for BICS*.
Engaging in an assessment process today therefore appears to be both an environmental necessity and a strategic opportunity for companies.
