EcoOnline report tracks shift to connected risk data

EcoOnline has published its inaugural Mega Trends Report, outlining seven shifts it says are reshaping workplace safety and sustainability. The report emphasises a move from compliance-led programmes to connected risk data and more real-time engagement with frontline workers.

Based on 18 months of primary research with business leaders and frontline employees, the report positions compliance as a baseline expectation. It points to rising demand for operational visibility, faster decision-making, greater readiness for disruption, and stronger execution at the frontline.

The research also highlights gaps between what workers want and what many organisations provide. It finds that 38% of frontline employees cite training as the biggest factor in improving safety. It also reports that 51% want safety reporting available via a computer or mobile device, compared with 34% who say this is currently the case.

Seven shifts

The seven themes include a chemical safety maturity gap, rising levels of lone working, and increased reliance on contractors. Training and frontline engagement are placed at the centre of safety performance. Another theme covers the need for responsible and trusted use of AI in safety processes.

The report also points to consolidation among software suppliers, with organisations increasingly preferring fewer vendors and more connected systems across risk, safety, and sustainability. It links this to demand for a single view of risk data across programmes often managed in separate tools.

Customer signals

EcoOnline says its customer activity in 2025 mirrored the trends identified in the report. It added more than 850 new customers and reported 40% growth in North America, which it framed as evidence of greater emphasis on proactive safety management and readiness.

It also cited its acquisition of D4H, which it describes as focused on crisis and emergency management. EcoOnline reports that D4H recorded 40% year-on-year growth, linking it to increased attention on incident response planning and operational preparedness.

EcoOnline also reported increased adoption of more than one module within its product range. It said multiproduct revenue and annual contract value rose 20% year-on-year as customers consolidated tools, reflecting a broader shift away from point solutions and towards more integrated approaches.

Chemicals focus

Chemical risk management is a central theme in the report. EcoOnline said revenue for Chemical Manager in North America increased 140% year-on-year, which it described as a sign of rising demand for more mature chemical safety practices, including tighter control of inventories, handling processes, and risk documentation.

EcoOnline expanded Chemical Manager into Australia and New Zealand earlier this year. It plans further rollouts across 87 additional countries during 2026, broadening access to the product in more markets.

Distributed work

The report also highlights the challenge of managing distributed workforces. EcoOnline said revenue from its lone worker offering grew 30% year-on-year globally. It also reported 90% year-on-year growth in sales of its ePermits product following a global rollout of its digital permit-to-work software in late 2025.

Digital permit-to-work systems can standardise how high-risk tasks are authorised and documented across sites. They also create a record of approvals, precautions, and status changes, and have become a focus for organisations managing larger contractor populations and complex work environments.

Frontline engagement

Training and engagement also featured in EcoOnline's account of recent business performance. It said Training & Learning revenue grew 30% year-on-year in the UK and reported a 40% increase in mobile app usage for safety workflows, which it linked to more real-time reporting and task completion at the point of work.

EcoOnline also highlighted the role of partners in delivering programmes that combine software and consulting services. It added 18 new partners, including All4, Aion North, G&A, and VPWhite, and said partner-driven annual contract value increased fourfold.

AI and reporting

AI is one of the report's key themes, focusing on responsible use in safety contexts. EcoOnline said it rolled out an AI Assist feature in phases during 2025, with initial use cases centred on incident reporting and investigations.

It also said it is working towards predictive safety intelligence across its wider suite, with general availability planned for 2026.

EcoOnline's chief executive linked the report's findings to changing buyer expectations, including stronger demand for connected information and a move away from compliance-only approaches.

"The market is clearly maturing from compliance to connected risk, and our research over the past 18 months has helped us embrace that shift early," said Tom Goodmanson, CEO of EcoOnline. "We are also seeing those same mega trends reflected in our business momentum, as customers move beyond point solutions and invest in connected capabilities that improve visibility, readiness, and resilience. We expect the market to evolve even faster in 2026 - especially in the era of AI - and we will continue to innovate to help protect our customers and the people they serve."

EcoOnline expects market change to accelerate in 2026 as organisations increase their use of connected risk data and assess how AI can be applied to incident management and investigation workflows.