The internal validity of the EFQM self‐assessment model, a descriptivecausal or theoretical model —in other words, a white‐box model—, is analysed in this article. The main finding of the article is that the EFQM model enjoys robust internal validity, despite the fact that there exist relationships among some of its enablers and results that fail to reach a suitable level of validity. These findings coincide with the conclusions drawn from studies carried out previously for the Malcom Baldrige model. The conclusions drawn in the article may be of interest both for academic and professional spheres of activity