The significance of EcoVadis certification for companies and their stakeholders is multifaceted and far-reaching. EcoVadis offers a comprehensive assessment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) through a cloud-based SaaS platform. The assessment covers non-financial management systems, including environmental impact, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Companies are assessed based on criteria relevant to their size, location, and industry. The results are presented in easy-to-understand scorecards with scores ranging from 0 to 100 and medals (bronze, silver, gold). These assessments enable companies to identify their strengths and areas for improvement and to take targeted actions to enhance their CSR performance.

EcoVadis uses a standardized questionnaire to assess how responsibly companies operate in the areas of the environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The methodology is based on international sustainability standards and incorporates requirements from the Global Reporting Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact. More than 125,000 companies worldwide partner with EcoVadis. Through industry-specific benchmarks, companies can use their EcoVadis rating to compare themselves with other industry participants, improve their CSR performance, and present their results transparently.

EcoVadis certification is therefore a key metric for companies seeking to improve their sustainability practices and manage ESG risks and compliance. It helps companies identify opportunities for improvement, achieve their sustainability goals, differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market, and promote sustainability to trading partners and other stakeholders​​​​​​​​​​.

Our journey toward Platinum certification was marked by continuous improvement and innovation. A key aspect of our strategy was converting part of our private vehicle fleet to hybrid vehicles, which led to a significant reduction in our CO2 emissions. In addition, as part of the United Nations Global Compact, we have committed to integrating and promoting social responsibility in our daily work.

Companies that receive high ratings from EcoVadis—such as Platinum status—have generally implemented comprehensive and effective sustainability practices. These practices often cover areas such as environmental management, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. In doing so, we have managed to improve upon our results from the previous year. This is a major success, especially considering that EcoVadis adjusts its requirements annually. Steffen Nerlich, our Head of IMS & Quality Management, comments:

You can't manage what you can't measure. For agt, it is essential to measure the right process steps and manage them reliably.

This philosophy is reflected in our ongoing commitment to monitoring, analyzing, and improving our sustainability performance. By implementing efficient monitoring systems, we can collect accurate data that serves as the basis for informed decisions and targeted improvements.

The annual updates to the EcoVadis requirements present a challenge, but one that we are happy to accept. We view these requirements not only as guidelines for sustainability, but also as an opportunity to continuously improve and remain a leader in the industry. The improvement over last year’s results shows that we are not merely maintaining the status quo, but are actively striving to enhance our performance in key areas of sustainability.

Receiving our third Ecovadis Platinum award is not only a reason for us to celebrate, but also an incentive to redouble our efforts. We are committed to continuously improving our sustainability practices and making a positive impact on our community and the environment. Our goal is to continue to serve as a role model in the industry and pave the way for a sustainable future.