SEQENS: a benchmark in CSR recognized by Ecovadis
An internationally recognized commitment to CSR
Since 2015, SEQENS has been committed to measuring and improving its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) performance in a rigorous and transparent manner. This CSR performance is assessed each year by the global benchmark platform: Ecovadis. This approach aims to integrate social, environmental, and ethical issues into the heart of our activities in a sustainable manner, while meeting the growing expectations of our customers, partners, and stakeholders.
In 2024, this commitment was rewarded with 15 Platinum medals and 2 Gold medals, positioning SEQENS’ sites among the highest-rated companies in its sector by Ecovadis. This recognition confirms our role as a committed and reliable supplier in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, two areas that are particularly demanding in terms of CSR performance.
A distinctive CSR strategy: site-by-site assessment
One of the key elements of our CSR approach is our deliberate choice to assess each industrial and R&D site individually via Ecovadis, as opposed to a consolidated group-level approach, which is more common in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
As a supplier, this demanding choice gives our customers a clear, accurate, and localized view of the CSR practices applied directly at the site where their product is manufactured. But it goes further than that: for a site to be assessed, it must demonstrate concrete actions taken locally in relation to the four pillars of the assessment.
This means that each SEQENS group site must have its own procedures, actions, and indicators in place in the areas of the environment, social issues, ethics, and responsible purchasing. This requirement guarantees greater authenticity and robustness of the results and demonstrates that our CSR commitment is not based solely on a global strategy, but is translated into real actions on the ground, across all our sites.
This approach is a guaranty of transparency for our customers, who have access to assessments aligned with the site that manufactures their product, reinforcing confidence in our role as a responsible supplier.
A rigorous methodology: the pillars and criteria of the Ecovadis assessment
The Ecovadis assessment is based on four main pillars of CSR:
- 1. The environment
- 2. Social and human rights
- 3. Business ethics
- 4. Responsible procurement
For each pillar of the assessment, sites mustcomplete a detailed questionnaire and provide documentary evidence: internal policies, certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.), audit reports, carbon footprint assessments, sustainable purchasing procedures, monitoring indicators, training provided, etc.
This documentation requirement ensures an objective, traceable, and verified assessment, thereby reinforcing the reliability of the rating obtained. This allows our clients and partners to rely on concrete data, rather than mere declarations of intent, when evaluating their suppliers.
The assessment results in a score out of 100, and depending on this score, a medal may be awarded:
- Bronze medal: top 50% of companies evaluated
- Silver medal: top 25%
- Gold medal: top 5%
- Platinum medal: top 1%
Ecovadis recently strengthened its rating system, and medals are now awarded based on a company’s relative performance compared to its industry and geographic location. This approach reinforces the comparative and demanding nature of the assessment.
Concrete results that reflect our continuous progress
Between 2015 and 2024, the number of SEQENS sites assessed rose has raised from 3 to 18. At the same time, our average Ecovadis score has raised from 47/100 to 87/100, a remarkable increase of 40 points reflecting a significant improvement in our CSR performance.
Today:
- 83% of our sites hold a Platinum medal
- 94% of our sites hold a Platinum or Gold rating.
These results illustrate our company’s ability to leverage CSR as a driver of performance and differentiation. They also demonstrate that our sustainable actions are rooted in reality on the ground, driven by our local teams.
A clear ambition: to remain among the CSR leaders in the sector
At SEQENS, we are continuing this momentum with the ambition of keeping all our sites in the top 1% of companies assessed by Ecovadis in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector.
Our approach is based on continuous improvement, the involvement of local teams, transparency towards our customers, and a desire to contribute positively to global environmental and social issues.
By choosing SEQENS, you are choosing a reliable, committed supplier that is firmly focused on sustainable industry.I
