Compliance Conversations provides a detailed insight into the EcoVadis programme, underlining its value and discussing various factors which might discourage companies from signing up to it.
In the previous instalment of Compliance Conversations, we spoke to Berkeley Removals London about their three-year journey with EcoVadis and why they believe others should sign up to the EcoVadis programme. In this article, we speak to Fernanda Bernabeu from Gou Group, a domestic and international moving service provider based in Mexico. Gou Group are among the first of K2’s partners in Mexico to achieve an EcoVadis rating.
Currently bronze medal holders, Gou Group are aiming for silver this year. Fernanda explained that a lot of hard work was required to identify all the opportunities for improvement – across both the ESG and compliance spheres – when they first signed up to EcoVadis. However, under the guidance of EcoVadis, their latest assessment cycle has been much easier as they now have a comprehensive understanding of where they can improve, and the actions required to do so.
For companies concerned about the cost of signing up to the EcoVadis programme, Gou’s experience offers significant reassurance. Post their inaugural assessment, the Group recovered over 40% of their first-year membership cost as a result of their newly obtained compliance credentials. Furthermore, the prestige of having an EcoVadis medal has led to an influx of new business for them, demonstrating the significant influence that compliance and sustainability metrics have when companies come to selecting their suppliers.
But why choose EcoVadis over other business sustainability ratings providers? For Fernanda and Gou Group, the reason is the scope of the EcoVadis assessment, which covers a huge range of processes and practices spanning both the environment and compliance. A truly sustainable company recognises the importance of protecting its workforce and its supply chain as well as the environment.
Fernanda also emphasises that EcoVadis is not all about ratings and the level you achieve. Just as, if not more important is the tailored analysis and guidance that they provide, as this helps you to future-proof the compliance of your business. Furthermore, the social and ethical insights that EcoVadis delivers can aid you in enhancing employee wellbeing and customer satisfaction, two critical factors in overall business success.
At K2, we understand that our clients and their customers demand compliance and sustainable practices across a broad spectrum of areas. Therefore, it is extremely important to us that our partners sign up to the EcoVadis programme, thus enabling us to demonstrate to our clients that our supply chain is compliant and driven by a compliance-focused mindset. If you are a K2 partner and would like to begin your EcoVadis journey, then reach out to our Compliance and ESG team today.