Sygnature discovery receives ecovadis award for sustainable excellence

World-leading contract research organisation Sygnature Discovery has announced its Bronze rating from EcoVadis, in recognition of the company’s commitment to sustainable practices in the life sciences sector. EcoVadis, a globally respected sustainability ratings platform, evaluates companies across various industries on environmental, social, and ethical performance criteria.

Sygnature Discovery has implemented a range of sustainable initiatives over a three-year period including reducing carbon emissions in laboratory practices, recycling palladium waste, reducing the number of ultra-low temperature freezers, transitioning to paperless invoicing, and recycling IT equipment. Additionally, a dedicated environmental committee meets monthly to discuss and implement sustainable practices and is represented by non-scientific and scientific employee groups including the Green Chemistry and BioScience groups.

Sygnature has also demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship through its participation in this year’s International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, organised by My Green Lab, in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL). The six-month freezer challenge prompts labs to implement efficient cold storage practices, submitting score sheets for the chance to win awards.

Sygnature Discovery CEO Dr Simon Hirst commented: “As an industry leader, we have a responsibility to lead by example and set the standard for sustainable excellence and we recognise the importance of minimising our environmental footprint, promoting ethical conduct, and fostering social responsibility.

“This year’s International Laboratory Freezer Challenge is just one element of that commitment. As part of our corporate strategy, we have embedded sustainability into every aspect of our operations so we can help create a healthier, more sustainable future for patients, communities, and the planet.

“With over 125,000 companies rated globally, the EcoVadis Bronze award reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability. The award places Sygnature Discovery in the top 35% of companies that EcoVadis has surveyed and we are very proud to be recognised for our efforts.”

During the assessment process, EcoVadis takes four key themes into consideration, including how a company impacts the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. They use their findings to award medals based on performance.

By achieving the EcoVadis Bronze award, Sygnature Discovery joins a select group of companies recognised for their commitment to sustainability in life sciences. EcoVadis sustainability ratings are grounded in international sustainability standards, including the
Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, and the ISO 26000 standard. The ratings not only provide an evidence-based analysis of performance, but also offer actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.