Updated: August 2026
What is the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment?
The NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment is an important sustainability self-assessment tool for organisations that supply, or want to supply, goods and services to the NHS.
For UK healthcare suppliers, understanding Evergreen is increasingly important for procurement readiness. From 6th April 2026, suppliers submitting tenders to NHS Supply Chain must have achieved at least Evergreen Level 1 by the tender closing date.
But the requirements can be confusing. Is Evergreen mandatory for every NHS supplier? What does Level 1 mean? How is your Evergreen assessment score calculated? What evidence do you need to progress from Level 1 to Level 4?
This guide explains the NHS Evergreen assessment requirements in 2026, how the maturity levels work, and what suppliers can do now to prepare for future NHS sustainable procurement requirements.
Who must complete the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment?
All suppliers submitting tenders to the NHS Supply Chain must complete the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment and achieve at least Level 1 by the time of tender close.
How does the NHS Evergreen Assessment scoring work?
The term Evergreen assessment score is commonly used, but Evergreen does not work like a traditional numerical scoring system.
Instead, suppliers are assessed against four sustainability maturity levels:
Level 1: Foundational – The supplier has established core sustainability foundations, including an appropriate Carbon Reduction Plan, emissions reporting and net zero commitment.
Level 2: Developing – The supplier demonstrates broader carbon reporting and global net zero targets, with some tracking of performance improvements.
Level 3: Established/Maturing – The supplier demonstrates more advanced sustainability maturity, including a 2045-or-earlier net zero target, independent validation and additional modern slavery requirements.
Level 4: Leadership – The supplier demonstrates advanced sustainability transparency, independently validated targets across the wider global organisation and stronger action on supply chain and modern slavery risks.
NHS England updated the Evergreen maturity criteria in April 2026 to reflect current and future NHS sustainability priorities.
What should UK suppliers do to improve procurement readiness?
Improving your Evergreen level requires addressing the gap between your organisation’s current sustainability maturity and the criteria for the next level.
A practical improvement programme should focus on the following areas.
- Get your Carbon Reduction Plan right
Start by checking whether your Carbon Reduction Plan meets the applicable requirements.
Review:
- publication date
- organisational boundary
- Scope 1 and Scope 2 reporting
- required Scope 3 categories
- net zero commitment
- carbon reduction measures
- senior-level approval
Avoid waiting until an NHS tender is live to learn that your Carbon Reduction Plan needs updating.
- Improve Scope 3 data
Scope 3 emissions are often more difficult to calculate because they occur across an organisation’s value chain.
Map the relevant emissions categories, identify where reliable data already exists and establish a plan for closing data gaps.
This work becomes increasingly important as suppliers progress through Evergreen and prepare for future NHS procurement requirements.
- Understand your global emissions
Level 1 can be based on a UK geographical boundary, but Level 2 moves towards comprehensive reporting at a global level.
International suppliers and UK businesses belonging to multinational groups should therefore clarify their reporting entity and geographical boundaries.
- Review your net zero target
Check both the date and scope of your current net zero commitment.
Levels 1 and 2 have a minimum net zero target of 2050, while Levels 3 and 4 require more ambitious 2045-or-earlier targets within the applicable Evergreen criteria.
Higher levels also introduce independent validation requirements.
- Strengthen sustainability governance
Evergreen looks at whether sustainability commitments are embedded within organisational decision-making.
Make sure responsibility for emissions, targets and reduction measures is clearly assigned and that the appropriate senior leadership or board approvals are documented.
- Address modern slavery risks
Carbon is not the only sustainability issue considered by Evergreen.
Higher maturity levels incorporate stronger expectations around modern slavery assessment, transparency and supply chain risk management.
Suppliers aiming for Levels 3 and 4 should therefore make modern slavery part of their broader sustainability and procurement compliance programme.
- Connect Evergreen with bid management
Your sustainability team should not be the only part of the organisation that understands Evergreen.
Bid and commercial teams should know:
- your current Evergreen level
- when the assessment expires
- when your Carbon Reduction Plan was last published
- who owns your sustainability evidence
- what improvements are currently underway
This reduces the risk of a sustainability compliance issue delaying or preventing a tender submission.
Need help getting ready for the NHS Evergreen assessment?
Understanding the requirements is one thing. Making sure your carbon reporting, Carbon Reduction Plan and wider sustainability strategy are procurement-ready is another.
McGrady Clarke can help your organisation navigate the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment, identify gaps in your current approach and build a clear pathway towards stronger sustainability performance and NHS procurement readiness.
Speak to our experts today to find out how we can support your NHS Evergreen journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the NHS Evergreen Sustainable Supplier Assessment mandatory?
It depends on the procurement. From 6th April 2026, suppliers submitting tenders to NHS Supply Chain must have achieved Evergreen Level 1 at tender close. Other NHS procurements may have different requirements, so suppliers should check the individual tender documents.
What Evergreen level do NHS Supply Chain suppliers need in 2026?
Suppliers submitting tenders to NHS Supply Chain from 6th April 2026 must have achieved at least Evergreen Level 1 at the point of tender close.
What is a good Evergreen assessment score?
Evergreen uses maturity levels rather than a traditional numerical score. Level 1 represents entry-level maturity, while Level 4 represents the highest maturity. The appropriate target depends on your organisation, procurement requirements and sustainability ambitions.
Is the NHS Evergreen assessment mandatory for all suppliers?
No. The NHS Evergreen assessment is not mandatory for every NHS supplier. Requirements depend on the procurement route and tender. However, suppliers submitting tenders to NHS Supply Chain from 6th April 2026 must have achieved at least Evergreen Level 1 by the tender closing date.
How long is an NHS Evergreen assessment valid?
An Evergreen maturity level is valid for 12 months, and NHS England recommends that suppliers complete the assessment annually. Suppliers can also update their assessment following significant improvements to their sustainability approach.
How can a supplier improve its Evergreen level?
Suppliers can improve their Evergreen maturity by strengthening areas such as Scope 3 emissions reporting, global carbon reporting, net zero targets, sustainability governance, independent target validation, modern slavery assessment and supply chain transparency.
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