As stakeholders in this ecosystem, manufacturers of process and packaging equipment, as well as related service providers, are also encouraged to undergo this evaluation. While the level of formalization required by the platform may initially seem significant—especially for SMEs without dedicated CSR resources—those who have taken the step and earned their first medal report clear benefits: Ecovadis assessment is a real opportunity for progress.

Christelle Coube, CSR Manager at Stoppil, led the initiative within her company and achieved a Silver Ecovadis medal this year. She explains: “The documentation work required allows the company to clearly understand where it stands across the four CSR pillars: environment, ethics, social, and sustainable procurement. Receiving a medal is highly rewarding, as it shows teams that this kind of recognition is within reach. It motivates us to go further.”

The same applies at Socaps, a mission-driven company specializing in providing technicians for the installation, maintenance, and after-sales service of industrial machines. Amélie Deffossé, QSE Project Manager, confirms: “The Ecovadis assessment acted as a trigger for deep transformation, starting with our double materiality analysis. It is an excellent tool for structuring a continuous improvement approach and engaging the entire company.”

Concerns about getting started are increasingly unfounded. As Fatima Zaraba, co-founder of Entreprises Engagées, points out: “Ecovadis is an accessible starting point for SMEs, as company size is taken into account in the questionnaire.” She therefore encourages business leaders to familiarize themselves with the platform proactively, before being required to do so by regulatory or commercial pressures. “Investing time in the process now is a good way to learn and progress at the same pace as peers,” she adds.

Beyond individual benefits, CSR assessment also fosters a collective dynamic, reflecting the values of collaboration and shared intelligence promoted by Geppia and its members. Ecovadis aims to drive meaningful change across supply chains by engaging all stakeholders and encouraging peer emulation within industries—particularly around measuring and reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.

Finally, reporting actions on the platform helps showcase the CSR performance of French companies. France ranks 3rd in the 2024 Ecovadis country ranking, with an overall CSR performance score of 60.4. In addition, 36% of assessed companies score above 65, compared to 28% across the European Union, 23% for OECD countries, and 9% for BICS.

Starting the assessment process today is therefore both an environmental necessity and a strategic opportunity for companies.