EcoVadis Methodology Updates
3 changes to prepare for before your next assessment.
22 October 2026
Guidance
EcoVadis Overview
Learn more about the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment.
Table of Contents
- New standardised reporting metrics
- Basline years for quantitative targets
- Medal thresholds differentiated by company size
- Other updates
- Prepare for your next assessment
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Across the Middle East, sustainability performance is becoming a commercial requirement. As national agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy reshape the region’s economies, companies supplying international brands and major projects are increasingly asked to evidence their ESG credentials. For many, that means an EcoVadis rating, particularly in petrochemicals, construction and building materials, metals, logistics, packaging and food manufacturing.
A strong medal can help win and retain contracts with multinational buyers, including those in Europe, where supplier sustainability expectations are especially high. A drop in rating can quickly raise questions from procurement teams.
EcoVadis has now introduced important changes to its methodology. Some apply from 14 October 2026, others from 12 January 2027. They place more weight on quantitative data and credible targets, and introduce new medal thresholds based on company size, with specific changes for SMEs. The new metrics also align more closely with international frameworks such as GRI, ISSB and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), so preparing for them can strengthen your wider sustainability reporting too.
Here are the three key changes to prepare for before your next assessment.
1. New standardised reporting metrics
From 14 October 2026, EcoVadis is introducing 11 new standardised metrics linked to its Key Sustainability Issues. They cover topics including employee turnover, biodiversity, human rights incidents, product end-of-life, and customer health and safety. The aim is more consistent, comparable data, aligned with GRI, ESRS and ISSB.
These metrics are assessed under the Reporting indicator, which still expects three years of data, an Annual or Sustainability Report, and third-party assurance, among other criteria.
What to do now: check whether you already track this data and whether it is readily available, so you are not scrambling to find it during your assessment.
2. Baseline years for quantitative targets
From 14 October 2026, quantitative targets under the Policies indicator must include a baseline year. Previously, only a target year and value were required.
What to do now: document a clear baseline for each target and reference it consistently across your policies and reports.
3. Medal thresholds by company size
From 12 January 2027, medal thresholds will vary by company size. Smaller organisations may find medals easier to achieve, while larger organisations may find it harder to maintain Gold or Platinum.
Organisations should not assume that maintaining the same score will result in maintaining the same medal.
Other updates to be aware of
- SMEs: only two of three reporting requirements need to be met for full credit
- Biodiversity: changes to how biodiversity measures are assessed
- Terminology: revisions to questionnaire wording
- Scorecards: more detail, including new strengths and areas for improvement
- Non-activated issues: reporting questions linked to them have been removed
- Sector questionnaires: sector-specific updates
Prepare for your next assessment
Together, these changes show EcoVadis placing more weight on quantitative data, credible targets and tailored scoring. Preparing early, across sustainability, EHS, HR, procurement, legal and compliance teams, will help protect your rating and your customer relationships.
Anthesis can help with an EcoVadis readiness review or gap assessment before your next submission. Contact our Middle East team to find out more.
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