How we rate vendors

Ratings in the Tolmon Vendor Directory are based on verifiable evidence, not self-reporting or paid placement. This page explains the methodology behind every badge.

Three principles

Evidence over intent. A vendor's stated sustainability goals are not rated. What they have demonstrably done: fleet composition, verified fuel choices, independent certifications, quantified reductions. That determines their tier.

No paid placement. Rating tier is not for sale. A vendor cannot pay to move from Baseline to Leader. Listings in the directory are free; tier placement reflects only the evidence available at the time of assessment.

Transparent reasoning. Every card in the directory includes the reasoning behind the rating. Readers can agree or disagree with the assessment. The aim is to make the basis visible, not to hand down verdicts.

Five tiers

Leader

Verifiable, meaningful action

The vendor has taken quantifiable steps that go beyond compliance: low-emission fleet, certified feedstocks, independently verified emissions data, or named in credible industry research. Claims can be cross-referenced against public sources.

Committed

Clear direction, some evidence

The vendor is making real sustainability moves: partial fleet transition, published targets, industry body membership with sustainability requirements. They have not yet reached the evidence threshold for Leader.

Baseline

Listed, limited sustainability evidence

The vendor is operating in the film and television sector but has not published verifiable sustainability commitments at the time of assessment. Inclusion means they are a known market participant, not an endorsement.

Unassessed

Insufficient public data

The vendor could not be assessed with confidence using publicly available sources. They may have strong sustainability practices; the rating reflects the limits of available evidence, not a judgement on performance.

Reference

Contextual or sector-wide inclusion

Included as a contextual reference: trade bodies, standards organisations, or sector-wide programmes relevant to production sustainability. Not directly comparable to vendor ratings.

What we look at

Assessments draw on public sources: company websites, trade press, industry research, and third-party certifications. Vendors can submit evidence directly via the Get Listed form.

Criterion What counts as evidence
Fleet or product fuel / energy type Electric, HVO, hybrid, or low-energy products or services, stated on company website or in trade press.
HVO feedstock Explicit public commitment to waste-feedstock HVO (not virgin vegetable oil). Certificate of provenance preferred.
Emissions quantification Published or reported reduction figures with a baseline year and methodology.
Third-party certification ISO 14001, PAS 2060, B Corp, GGSC accreditation, or equivalent industry-recognised standard.
Industry programme participation Named in Film London Fuel Project, Albert, BAFTA albert, or equivalent UK production sustainability initiative.
Published targets Specific, time-bound emissions or fleet targets published on company website or in annual reporting.
Carbon measurement Use of GPS-based or telemetry-based CO₂ measurement rather than estimate-based calculation.
Transparency Proactive disclosure: sustainability reports, public methodology, or third-party audits available without request.
Sector relevance Evidence applies specifically to film and television production operations, not only general commercial or logistics activity.
Longevity Evidence is current (within last 3 years). Historical claims without current operations are discounted.

Publisher transparency

Tolmon is both the publisher of this directory and a participant in the film industry sustainability ecosystem. We assess ourselves against the same criteria applied to every other entrant, and we flag that relationship directly where relevant.

If you believe any rating is incorrect, contact us at admin@tolmon.com with the evidence. Ratings are updated at each edition release; urgent corrections are handled between editions where the error is clear.

What this directory is not

It is not an endorsement of any vendor. A Leader rating means we found strong verifiable evidence of sustainability action. It does not mean Tolmon is recommending that production hire that company over any other, or that their practices are perfect.

It is not exhaustive. There are many vendors operating in UK film and television. If a vendor is not listed, it may be because we have not assessed them yet.

It is not static. Ratings change when evidence changes. A vendor who achieves a certification after their initial Baseline assessment will be reviewed at the next edition.

Are you a film industry vendor?

Submit your details and sustainability credentials for the next edition of the directory.