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Healthcare & Pharma: How to Succeed in Your EcoVadis Assessment

Learn how healthcare and pharmaceutical companies can succeed in their EcoVadis assessment, strengthen ESG credibility, and meet growing sustainability and compliance expectations.

Ugo Le Borgne

Head of ESG

EcoVadis assessment for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies – ESG, ethics, compliance and sustainability
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The healthcare and pharmaceutical sector plays a critical role in society, but it is also facing growing ESG expectations related to environmental impact, ethics, safety, governance and transparency.

The EcoVadis assessment has become a key market standard for laboratories, manufacturers, distributors and healthcare service providers looking to demonstrate their sustainability performance and secure long-term business partnerships.

Why EcoVadis Is Strategic for the Healthcare & Pharma Sector

Major industry players such as Sanofi, Pfizer, GSK, AstraZeneca, Roche and Johnson & Johnson now require a minimum EcoVadis score from their suppliers and partners.

For healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, EcoVadis helps to:

  • Demonstrate compliance with environmental, ethical and regulatory expectations
  • Structure ESG practices in a documented and measurable way
  • Strengthen reputation and credibility with clients and investors
  • Access new markets where ESG ratings are becoming a prerequisite
Good to know: More than 25,000 healthcare and pharmaceutical companies have already been assessed by EcoVadis, a number that continues to grow as global supply chains raise ESG requirements.

Key EcoVadis Topics for Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Companies

EcoVadis evaluates companies across four main pillars, adapted to sector-specific risks and impacts.

Environment

  • Management of chemical, pharmaceutical and biological waste
  • Reduction of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions
  • Sustainable water management and pollution prevention
  • Responsible innovation (eco-design, sustainable packaging)

Ethics & Compliance

  • Anti-corruption and anti-competitive practices
  • Transparency in medical communication and clinical trials
  • Protection of patient data and medical confidentiality

Social & Human Rights

  • Health and safety in laboratories, manufacturing sites and healthcare facilities
  • Ongoing training for employees and subcontractors
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion within the workforce

Responsible Procurement

  • Supplier selection and monitoring based on ESG criteria
  • Traceability of raw materials (chemicals, active ingredients)
  • Social and environmental audits and certifications

Documents to Prepare for a Successful EcoVadis Assessment

EcoVadis analysts rely on documented evidence to assess ESG maturity.

Area Examples of Supporting Documents
Environment Environmental policy, ISO 14001 certificate, chemical waste management plan, GHG reporting
Ethics Code of conduct, anti-corruption policy, integrity charter, compliance program
Social & Safety ISO 45001 certificate, prevention plan, health & safety report, training plan
Responsible Procurement Supplier code of conduct, ESG audits, subcontractor assessments, ESG contract clauses
Good to know: Recognised certifications and frameworks such as ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 45001 (health & safety) and ISO 37001 (anti-corruption), as well as healthcare- and pharma-specific regulatory frameworks (e.g. REACH, RoHS, GMP / GxP, traceability and product compliance requirements), are highly valued in EcoVadis scoring when they are formalised, documented and effectively implemented.

How to Improve Your EcoVadis Score in Healthcare & Pharma

  1. Update ESG policies covering environment, safety, ethics and suppliers
  2. Structure procedures for chemical risk management, regulatory compliance and traceability
  3. Monitor key indicators: energy use, emissions, accidents, training, diversity
  4. Rely on recognised frameworks, whether normative, regulatory or sector-specific, and demonstrate real-world implementation
  5. Engage suppliers and subcontractors through codes of conduct, audits and contractual requirements
  6. Leverage EcoVadis feedback to continuously improve year after year

Benefits of a Strong EcoVadis Rating for Healthcare & Pharma Companies

  • Stronger credibility with laboratories, hospitals and public-sector stakeholders
  • Increased trust from patients, clients and investors
  • Reduced regulatory and reputational risks
  • Simplified client audits and shared ESG evidence across partners
  • Improved employer attractiveness and employee engagement

Healthcare & Pharma: How to Succeed in Your EcoVadis Assessment — Key Takeaways

Key Element Description
Objective Structure and showcase ESG performance across healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations
Main challenges Environment, safety, ethics, traceability, regulatory compliance
Key topics assessed Environment, Social, Ethics, Responsible Procurement
Key documents ESG policies, ISO certificates, carbon reporting, supplier codes of conduct
Evidence validity Up to 8 years for policies/actions – 2 years for reporting
Benefits Credibility, compliance, competitiveness, trust and long-term sustainability

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