ISO, EcoVadis, SMETA, Synesgy: what vdglass certifications really mean

In the glass industry and in the world of customized products for the beverage, hospitality, and promotional sectors, sustainability is no longer just an added value—it has become a strategic requirement. Brands, buyers, and stakeholders increasingly demand transparency, verifiable data, and international standards that demonstrate a genuine commitment to ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, Governance).

In this context, sustainability certifications in the glass industry have become essential tools to distinguish between those who merely communicate sustainability and those who truly implement it.

VDGLASS has chosen to build its ESG journey on solid foundations, adopting globally recognized certifications and assessment systems: ISO 9001, ISO 45001, SMETA (Sedex), Synesgy, and EcoVadis.

But what do these acronyms really mean? And why are they so important for brands looking for a reliable partner?

In this article, we explain everything in a simple, concrete, and business-oriented way.

Why certifications matter more than ever today

In recent years, sustainability has become not only an ethical priority but also an economic and regulatory one. New European directives on non-financial reporting and supply chain responsibility make it increasingly important to prove—not just claim—your commitment.

Certifications help to:

• Make sustainable practices measurable
• Ensure transparency
• Increase credibility
• Reduce reputational risk
• Facilitate supplier selection
• Align with ESG criteria

In the glass industry, where environmental impact, safety, and resource management are central issues, this becomes even more relevant.

ISO 9001: quality as the foundation of sustainability

The UNI EN ISO 9001 certification concerns the quality management system. It does not certify individual products, but rather how a company organizes, controls, and improves its processes.

For VDGLASS, ISO 9001 means:

• Structured planning of activities
• Continuous performance monitoring
• Error reduction
• Better resource management
• Continuous improvement

From a sustainability perspective, quality is a fundamental pillar: fewer errors mean less waste, fewer scraps, and a lower environmental impact.

For a B2B buyer, this certification guarantees reliability, consistency, and continuity of supply.

ISO 45001: protecting people is part of esg

When we talk about ESG, people often think only about the environment. But the social component is just as crucial.

The UNI EN ISO 45001 certification defines the requirements for an occupational health and safety management system.

For VDGLASS, this standard represents:

• Risk prevention
• Better working conditions
• Ongoing training
• Accident reduction
• Protection of people’s well-being

Working with an ISO 45001-certified supplier means choosing a partner that considers safety and human dignity as integral parts of its business model.

SMETA and Sedex: ethics and responsibility throughout the supply chain

VDGLASS follows the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) audit methodology through Sedex, one of the world’s leading platforms for promoting ethical and responsible business practices.

But what does this actually mean? What does SMETA assess?

SMETA audits focus on four key areas:

1. Labor standards
2. Health and safety
3. Environment
4. Business ethics

This approach makes it possible to monitor not just the product, but the entire corporate behavior.

Why SMETA is relevant for b2b brands

More and more companies—especially in the beverage, hospitality, and retail sectors—require their suppliers to meet verifiable ethical standards. Today, a brand’s responsibility does not end with the final product; it extends across the entire supply chain.

The SMETA standard enables structured evaluation of key aspects such as:

• Respect for human rights
• Compliance with labor regulations
• Health and safety conditions
• Process transparency
• Adoption of ethical practices

For VDGLASS, adhering to the SMETA methodology means continuously monitoring these areas and proactively improving performance.

In a global context that is increasingly focused on corporate social responsibility, sustainability cannot be limited to company boundaries—it involves the entire supply chain.

Synesgy: making sustainability measurable

VDGLASS participates in Synesgy, a global digital platform that evaluates ESG sustainability across the entire supply chain.

Synesgy enables structured analysis of:

• Environmental impact
• Social policies
• Corporate governance
• ESG risks
• Level of compliance

Thanks to our ongoing commitment, we have achieved a positive score, confirming the effectiveness of our sustainable practices.

This allows our partners to:

✔️ Access verified ESG data
✔️ Improve traceability
✔️ Reduce supply chain risk
✔️ Facilitate reporting

Synesgy transforms sustainability from an abstract concept into a measurable system.

EcoVadis: a recognition that must be earned every year

VDGLASS has obtained and reconfirmed its EcoVadis Silver Medal for 2025, one of the most authoritative international recognitions in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

This result places VDGLASS in the 92nd percentile of companies evaluated globally, confirming the strength of our approach to sustainability and ethical business management.

However, one important point must be clarified: EcoVadis is not a static certification. Its evaluation criteria are updated every year, becoming progressively more stringent and complex. This means that renewing the Silver Medal does not mean “repeating” a result—it means proving that we have further improved our performance.

Maintaining this level requires:

• Continuous updates to ESG policies
• Adoption of new environmental, social, and ethical measures
• Strengthening governance processes
• Constant performance monitoring
• Structured improvement of business practices

For VDGLASS, the EcoVadis Silver Medal is not a destination, but a milestone in a journey of continuous improvement.

Real value for clients and partners

For our clients and partners, this recognition represents an additional guarantee of:

• Reliability
• Transparency
• Operational seriousness
• Compliance with ESG standards
• Long-term vision

In a market where sustainability is increasingly integrated into brand strategies, relying on a supplier positively rated by EcoVadis means reducing risks, strengthening reputation, and contributing to a more responsible supply chain.

Among sustainability assessments, EcoVadis is now one of the most relevant tools for objectively demonstrating a company’s commitment.

ESG and customized glassware: a new way of choosing suppliers

Today, it is no longer enough to ask whether a product is beautiful or functional. More and more brands are asking questions like:

• Where do the raw materials come from?
• How are workers treated?
• What is the environmental impact?
• Is the supplier transparent?

This is why the connection between ESG and customized glassware is becoming increasingly important.

Choosing a certified supplier allows brands to:

• Tell an authentic story
• Avoid greenwashing
• Improve brand reputation
• Respond to stakeholder expectations
• Prepare for future regulations

Sustainability certifications: not just badges

Every certification involves:

• Regular audits
• Independent verification
• Risk analysis
• Documentation
• Continuous improvement

For VDGLASS, sustainability is not a statement—it is an operational method.

VDGLASS: sustainability as a journey, not a slogan

ISO 9001, ISO 45001, SMETA, Synesgy, and EcoVadis are not labels to display—they are tools that guide our daily decisions.

Our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients based on trust, transparency, and responsibility.

Because true sustainability is not something you talk about—it is something you prove.