Achieving Silver EcoVadis On First Attempt: How PLPS Beat 150,000 Companies
A focused, strategic engagement that turned scattered sustainability initiatives into a Silver Medal — and a long-term competitive advantage — on PLPS's very first EcoVadis evaluation.
From Sustainability Initiatives To Structured Strategy
A Silver Medal on first attempt — a result that reflects not just compliance but excellence in sustainability.
Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (PLPS), an industry leader in innovative labels and packaging for healthcare, wellness, personal care, food, aerospace, and more, faced the challenge of aligning its operations with EcoVadis' sustainability assessments.
While PLPS was no stranger to sustainability, with initiatives such as pallet recycling and waste reduction, its efforts lacked centralized policies and structure. With a key client prioritizing sustainability, PLPS set a goal to secure an EcoVadis Medal and looked to GPSI for expert guidance.
Strong Initiatives, No Structure
PLPS had genuine sustainability practices in place — but without centralized policies, those efforts couldn't be translated into the format EcoVadis evaluators require. Three core gaps shaped the engagement:
Initiatives Without Policy
PLPS already had impactful initiatives like pallet recycling and waste reduction — but those efforts lacked centralized policies and structure to back them up for external evaluation.
Multi-Site Coordination Gap
With operations spread across multiple locations, stakeholders needed a unified framework to drive cohesive decision-making and shared sustainability priorities.
Client-Driven Time Pressure
With a key client prioritizing sustainability, PLPS set a goal to secure an EcoVadis Medal — and needed to do so quickly and credibly, on the first attempt.
A Three-Focus Strategic Engagement
GPSI developed a tailored strategy to prepare PLPS for EcoVadis evaluation. The team focused on three main areas:
Centralized Collaboration
GPSI unified stakeholders across multiple PLPS locations to foster cohesive decision-making and drive engagement.
Framework Development
Comprehensive policies were created to address the four key EcoVadis pillars — environment, social & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
Simplified Assessment Process
GPSI demystified EcoVadis requirements and handled data preparation, ensuring all documentation aligned precisely with the evaluation criteria.
The Four EcoVadis Pillars Addressed
Environment
New environmental initiatives were formalized and embedded into operational policy.
Social & Human Rights
Policies were aligned with industry-leading standards across the workforce.
Ethics
Ethical business practices were integrated into day-to-day operations.
Sustainable Procurement
Improved strategies for responsible sourcing were implemented across the supply chain.
PLPS didn't need new sustainability initiatives — they needed the policy structure to translate existing practice into EcoVadis-recognized excellence. Speed came from clarity, not shortcuts.
Before & After Engagement
A side-by-side view of how the three-focus engagement transformed PLPS's posture — from scattered sustainability practice to a Silver Medal-winning submission on first attempt.
| Dimension | Before GPSI | After GPSI |
|---|---|---|
| EcoVadis Outcome | No prior submission; uncertainty about how to start | Silver Medal · First Attempt — ahead of 150,000 companies assessed |
| Policy Structure | Initiatives in place but lacking centralized policies | Comprehensive policies across all 4 EcoVadis pillars |
| Multi-Site Coordination | Stakeholders working in isolation across locations | Unified, cohesive decision-making across all PLPS sites |
| Assessment Readiness | Uncertain about EcoVadis requirements and documentation | Demystified process; documentation precisely aligned with criteria |
| Sustainable Procurement | Informal sourcing approaches | Improved strategies for responsible sourcing implemented |
| Internal Governance | No dedicated sustainability body | Sustainable Development Committee established |
| Client Positioning | At risk of losing client mandates over sustainability standing | New credibility and positioning as a forward-thinking partner |
A First-Attempt Silver Medal
Through GPSI's focused and strategic involvement, PLPS secured a Silver EcoVadis Medal on their first attempt — an achievement that places them well ahead of the 150,000 companies assessed that year. This result reflects not just compliance but excellence in sustainability.
Excellent Return On Investment
By choosing GPSI, PLPS avoided the inefficiencies and extended timelines often seen when managing such evaluations independently. This helped them save both time and resources while achieving tangible results far more quickly.
Long-Term Impact
PLPS established a Sustainable Development Committee to continually advance their eco-conscious practices, ensuring the momentum continues well beyond the initial Silver Medal.
Brand Enhancement
The Silver Medal gave PLPS new credibility in the eyes of clients across industries and was celebrated through strategic branding efforts, further positioning them as a forward-thinking company in the packaging sector.
When Sustainability Becomes A Strategic Advantage
By partnering with GPSI, PLPS transformed sustainability requirements into a strategic advantage, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility while setting a strong foundation for continued success.
A first-attempt Silver Medal isn't an accident — it's the outcome of focused strategy, multi-site collaboration, and expert handling of EcoVadis methodology. PLPS now operates with the structure to sustain that performance, the committee to drive it forward, and the credibility to leverage it across every client relationship.
Aiming For An EcoVadis Medal On Your First Attempt?
Contact Global Partner Solutions to explore how our ESG & Sustainability services can structure your first submission for first-time recognition — or visit our Insights for more case studies and best practices.
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