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Smartpress Achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating

In a significant milestone for the commercial printing sector, Smartpress.com, in partnership with The Bernard Group, has proudly achieved a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading firm in sustainability assessments for businesses. This achievement places Smartpress in the elite top 1% of companies evaluated worldwide, underlining its commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, a sentiment that has increasingly resonated with businesses and consumers alike.

This latest recognition marks the fourth time since 2020 that Smartpress has received the Platinum rating, showcasing its continuous improvement in various critical areas. The company's EcoVadis score has risen from 82 to 89, reflecting enhancements across categories such as Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. By focusing on these domains, Smartpress has embraced a robust strategy aimed at establishing industry-leading benchmarks for sustainability in the printing industry.

Pioneering Standards with Transparency and Responsibility

Smartpress's commitment to improvement is evidenced by its efforts to align its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This alignment significantly bolsters transparency and reinforces accountability across its operations. Additionally, the introduction of a supplier code of conduct has strengthened environmental, labor, and ethical standards that resonate throughout the supply chain, ensuring that all partners align with the company’s values.

"Achieving and maintaining the EcoVadis Platinum sustainability rating is a core strategic objective that demonstrates our commitment to CSR and environmental stewardship," noted Liesl Beck, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Bernard Group. Beck highlighted how the EcoVadis assessment drives a continuous improvement cycle by pinpointing areas where growth is still needed and encouraging proactive steps to address these opportunities.

Comprehensive Metrics for Long-Term Growth

The EcoVadis assessment encompasses a thorough review of several metrics that Smartpress has continuously monitored and refined. Key audited metrics include:

• - Environment: This encompasses management of emissions, energy use, chemical waste, recycling efforts, water consumption, and air pollution.
• - Labor & Human Rights: This area focuses on employee engagement, benefits, training programs, workplace safety measures, and overall participation in the company’s retirement plans.
• - Ethics: The company emphasizes anti-corruption initiatives, anti-competitive practices, and a culture of good governance.
• - Sustainable Procurement: This highlights the adherence to a supplier code of conduct and the active participation of suppliers in CSR assessments, including corrective actions when necessary.

By leveraging these key performance indicators, Smartpress is not just maintaining a high rating but also strategically positioning itself as a pioneering leader in an industry that demands increasing accountability regarding environmental concerns.

The Road Ahead: Brand Reputation and Future Opportunities

Beck pointed out that the high-level assessment and continual improvements have uncovered specific gaps and avenues for future growth—feedback that results in a strategic roadmap for achieving long-term alignment with GRI standards. Maintaining a solid EcoVadis rating is not just about recognition; it is vital for maintaining the company’s reputation and securing future business opportunities in a market that is progressively leaning towards environmentally conscious practices.

Smartpress's focus on social responsibility is not merely a facade but an integral part of their business narrative. They strive to act as a positive force within the manufacturing industry and for the planet as a whole.

About Smartpress

For those unaware, Smartpress has established itself as the leading commercial printer catering to business owners, nonprofit organizations, and marketing professionals across North America. Offering a diverse range of products from booklets and brochures to signage and mailers, Smartpress operates on three foundational principles: delivering premium quality print, providing exceptional customer service, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to social responsibility.

Being 100% employee-owned and achieving carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 and 2, along with having one of the largest fleets of HP Indigo HD presses globally, positions Smartpress as an industry leader not only in print quality but also in achieving significant social and environmental milestones.