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Written by Violette Demain - Article published in September 2023, updated in May 2026
In summary:
- What Scoring by Positive® is and how it differs from a certification or CSR labeling
- What international frameworks underpin the evaluation (ISO 26000, CSRD, VSME, SDGs)
- How does the questionnaire work in practice: common base, personalized block, and confidence index
- What the results bring operationally: tenders, panel management, regulatory reporting
- How Positive® Scoring can serve as a springboard towards Positive Company® certification
Why evaluate suppliers based on CSR criteria?
The supplier relationship is no longer limited to price, quality, and deadlines. Under the combined effect of the CSRD directive, the duty of vigilance law, and the increasing expectations of stakeholders, companies are now expected to manage environmental, social, and governance risks present in their supply chain.
A poorly evaluated supplier regarding its CSR practices can expose the company to reputational risk, supply chain disruptions, or legal challenges. Conversely, a well-managed value chain based on CSR criteria becomes a competitive advantage: it reassures investors, meets the requirements of tenders, and contributes to the management of scope 3.
It is in this context that Positive Company® has developed Scoring by Positive® : a customized CSR supplier evaluation solution, designed for organizations that wish to structure this approach in a rigorous, consistent, and actionable manner.
What is Scoring by Positive®?
Scoring by Positive® is a CSR assessment solution designed to help organizations evaluate their suppliers and partners based on CSR criteria tailored to their specific challenges. It enables structured dialogue with partners, objectifies practices within the value chain, and guides a continuous improvement process.
The solution is interoperable with other evaluation organizations and CSR labels, making it a coherent link in a broader CSR strategy. It was developed in 2022 by Positive Company®, a European CSR labeling organization, based on its expertise in assessing companies' CSR commitments.
An important distinction should be made from the outset: Scoring by Positive® is a CSR assessment, not a labeling or certification. The assessment measures a supplier's level of CSR commitment at a given moment and compares it to the entire panel. Labeling, on the other hand, involves a more in-depth process that includes stakeholder consultation and a detailed analysis of practices. The two approaches are complementary, but they do not address the same need.
Discover Scoring by Positive® Learn moreWhat frameworks does Scoring by Positive® rely on?
The robustness of a CSR evaluation directly depends on the quality of its framework. Scoring by Positive® is based on the most recognized international and European standards in terms of social responsibility.
The methodological framework is aligned with ISO 26000, the reference standard for social responsibility of organizations, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the CSRD directive, and the VSME (the simplified standard designed for SMEs within the framework of European sustainability reporting). This framework is updated annually to remain aligned with the latest regulatory developments.
It is complemented by the French-European regulatory framework: business ethics and anti-corruption, climate strategy, professional equality, and obligations related to the duty of vigilance. This dual anchoring, international and regulatory, ensures that the results obtained are both comparable on a global scale and compliant with French and European legal obligations.
How does supplier CSR evaluation work?
The Scoring by Positive® assessment is based on a three-level architecture, combining a common foundation, a customized block, and a data reliability mechanism.
The common CSR questionnaire
Each evaluated supplier responds to a questionnaire of 12 to 45 questions structured around five fundamental themes: Activity, Governance, Social, Environmental, and Societal (soon to be Environmental, Social, Governance). This common foundation allows for a score out of 100 and enables a consistent comparison of all evaluated suppliers, regardless of their size or industry.
The block of personalized questions
In addition to the common core, a block of 3 to 8 questions is custom-designed to reflect the specific challenges of the organization conducting the assessment: sectoral carbon footprint, working conditions in certain geographies, subcontractor security policies, waste management. This block produces an alphabetical rating from A to E, which complements the overall score out of 100 with a targeted reading on the organization's specific priorities.
The confidence index
This is the most distinguishing element of the system. The trust index evaluates the relevance and quality of the supporting documents provided by the supplier in support of their responses, such as carbon assessments, CSR reports, certifications, and social audits. It is assigned in three levels and allows for a nuanced interpretation of the results: a high score without solid justifications will be interpreted differently than an identical score backed by verified documents. This mechanism protects against declarative greenwashing and enhances the reliability of the data produced.
What CSR evaluation brings concretely
The results produced by Scoring by Positive® have direct operational value, beyond mere compliance exercise.
In tenders, CSR scores allow for the integration of a weighted ESG criterion into the analysis grid, alongside price or technical quality. In managing the supplier panel, they help identify at-risk partners, track their progress over time, and focus support efforts where they are most needed. In regulatory reporting, they produce the necessary data for the DPEF, the CSRD, and vigilance plans, particularly regarding scope 3 emissions.
The solution also allows for a structured dialogue with suppliers: communicating on its CSR expectations, valuing the most committed partners, and initiating a continuous improvement dynamic in the value chain.
💡 Scoring by Positive® as a springboard towards CSR certification?
For suppliers who have achieved a good score and wish to further their CSR approach, the Positive Company® certification is a natural next step. The work done as part of the Scoring covers a significant portion of the certification requirements. All that remains is to complete a few additional criteria and to consult with stakeholders (employees, customers, suppliers) anonymously.
At the end of the labeling process, the company receives a customized report, the results table of stakeholder surveys, and a CSR improvement plan incorporating their proposals. These are all tools to enhance its CSR strategy and embed it in a continuous improvement approach.
FAQ - Scoring by Positive® and supplier CSR evaluation
No. Scoring by Positive® is a CSR assessment, not a labeling or certification. The assessment measures a supplier's level of CSR commitment at a given moment and produces a score that is comparable between partners. The Positive Company® labeling is a more in-depth process, including stakeholder consultation and a formalized improvement plan.
The common questionnaire covers five themes: the company's activity, its governance, its social practices, its environmental impact, and its societal commitments. A block of customizable questions allows for the addition of criteria specific to the challenges of the organization conducting the assessment.
The confidence index measures the quality and relevance of the supporting documents provided by the supplier in support of their responses. It is assigned in three levels and helps to ensure the reliability of the results by distinguishing well-documented evaluations from those that rely solely on statements.
Yes, particularly for the collection of ESG data from the value chain and the measurement of scope 3 emissions. It does not replace a complete CSRD reporting but serves as a structured and usable data foundation to support this reporting.
Yes. All data is hosted on eco-friendly French servers and the solution is fully compliant with GDPR requirements.
Yes. The questionnaire is designed to be accessible to SMEs — with between 12 and 45 questions depending on the level of stakes — and the assessment is free for the evaluated suppliers. This is a key factor in the participation rate, especially among the smaller organizations.
Yes. The solution is interoperable with other evaluation organizations and CSR labels, allowing it to be integrated into a larger system without starting from scratch.