In today’s globalized business environment, supply chain sustainability has become a critical element for long-term corporate success. Companies must not only optimize their own operations but also ensure their supply chains meet high standards in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. To address this need, EcoVadis has entered into a strategic partnership with SGS, a leading international testing, inspection, and certification organization, and QIMA, a specialist in supply chain compliance services, to jointly launch an innovative supply chain sustainability audit service. This collaboration integrates EcoVadis’s ESG risk assessment capabilities with the on-site auditing expertise of specialized institutions, providing companies with a comprehensive, efficient, and seamless solution for managing supply chain sustainability.

Integrating Assessment and Verification to Build an End-to-End Sustainability Management Cycle

The core of this collaboration lies in creating a comprehensive assessment and verification system that covers the entire process from risk identification to implementation of improvements:

· EcoVadis, as a sustainability ratings provider, conducts preliminary ESG risk assessments to accurately identify potential risk areas in the supply chain.

· SGS, leveraging its global network of experts, performs rigorous on-site audits and verification.

· QIMA contributes its specialized expertise in ethical sourcing and compliance audits to provide professional evaluation support.

The collaboration establishes an efficient workflow: EcoVadis’s platform first identifies ESG risks, and when further verification is needed, companies can seamlessly engage SGS or QIMA for on-site auditing services. After the audit, the service includes continuous monitoring of improvement measures to help suppliers achieve ongoing progress in sustainability performance. This model not only simplifies management processes but also enhances the credibility of ESG data through professional auditing.

Collaboration Background: Alignment of Market Needs and Shared Vision

Market Demand Drives Seamless Solutions

After identifying supply chain risks, companies often require prompt follow-up with on-site audit and verification services. The Co-CEO of EcoVadis noted, “Once risks are identified, our clients need a trusted partner to provide on-site audit support. Our collaboration with SGS and QIMA is designed to deliver a seamless experience from assessment to verification, fully addressing our clients’ needs.”

Shared Vision: Promoting Transparency and Responsibility in Global Supply Chains

This collaboration is rooted in a shared vision—to advance global supply chains toward greater transparency and responsibility. The Global Head of Sustainability at SGS stated, “By integrating our professional expertise with EcoVadis’s rating system, we can provide companies with a more comprehensive sustainability solution.” The CEO of QIMA also emphasized that this collaboration is a significant step toward “enhancing transparency and sustainable development in global supply chains.”

Service Synergy: Combining Data Insights and On-Site Verification

This new service works in tandem with EcoVadis’s recently launched “Worker Voice” solution, enabling companies to access real-time data on responsible sourcing and human rights issues in their supply chains. Combined with on-site verification by SGS and QIMA, this creates a complete chain from data insights to field evidence, significantly improving supply chain transparency.

Business Value: Enhanced Efficiency, Risk Mitigation, and Continuous Improvement

Improved Management Efficiency and Data Credibility

Companies can now access end-to-end services, from risk assessment to on-site audits, through a single entry point, effectively reducing the complexity of coordinating multiple service providers. A manufacturing company reported, “After EcoVadis identified labor risks, we quickly completed on-site verification through SGS. This not only improved efficiency but also strengthened our confidence in supply chain data.”

Reduced Operational Risks and Enhanced Supply Chain Resilience

By combining macro-level risk screening with on-site audits, companies can identify issues in areas such as environmental practices, labor rights, and business ethics at an earlier stage. For example, a global apparel brand, upon identifying environmental risks at a supplier through EcoVadis, used SGS’s on-site audit to confirm wastewater treatment issues, thereby avoiding potential compliance violations and reputational damage.

Driving Continuous Improvement in the Supply Chain

This service not only helps identify problems but also focuses on driving substantive improvements. An electronics manufacturer’s supplier, after an audit by QIMA, implemented corrective measures and demonstrated significant progress in labor rights performance in subsequent evaluations. This highlights the service’s practical value in fostering continuous supplier development.

Conclusion

The collaboration between EcoVadis, SGS, and QIMA introduces an innovative solution to the field of supply chain sustainability management. By integrating globally leading assessment tools with on-site auditing resources, it provides companies with a comprehensive, efficient, and data-driven management approach. This partnership not only enhances clients’ operational effectiveness but also injects new momentum into the sustainable transformation of global supply chains. Moving forward, more companies are expected to leverage this collaboration to build sustainability as a core competitive advantage, collectively advancing toward a more responsible business future.