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Become a partnerESG report without additional effort: The VSME
With the VERSO ESG Hub, SMEs implement the VSME standard efficiently. Developed from 15 years of practical experience in sustainability management – for reports that create added value, not just fulfill obligations.
What is the VSME standard?
The VSME standard (Voluntary Standard for Small and Midsized Enterprises) is a voluntary ESG reporting framework for non-listed SMEs. It enables structured and credible sustainability reporting – without the bureaucratic burden of full CSRD implementation.
Which companies must comply with the VSME standard?
The VSME report is voluntary, but particularly relevant for:
- Companies that may no longer be subject to CSRD as a result of Omnibus – but would like to continue using their CSRD preparatory work in a meaningful way.
- Suppliers to large companies with ESG requirements.
- SMEs that want to take advantage of better financing and funding opportunities .
Use the VSME as a competitive advantage
Even though the VSME is voluntary, its implementation has tangible benefits:
- Stay competitive – Meet ESG requirements from customers and business partners.
- Better funding opportunities – ESG transparency facilitates access to funding and investors.
- Prepare for the future – Prepare for increasing sustainability requirements at an early stage.
- Communicate sustainability – Show your stakeholders that you operate sustainably, even beyond the regulatory framework.
Create the VSME report with VERSO
With the VERSO ESG Hub, you can create your VSME report efficiently, in a structured manner and without excessive administrative effort.
- Integrated VSME templates – direct implementation of the standard in the software.
- Step-by-step guide – be guided safely through the entire reporting process.
- Automated data management – less manual work, more efficiency.
- Modular expandability – simply add sustainability topics such as carbon footprinting, supply chain management and training.
Why VERSO?
We guide you through sustainability – no matter the framework.
Since 2010, VERSO has been the partner for companies that want to manage sustainability in a structured and effective way – developed for holistic sustainability management and voluntary reporting long before regulation determined the market.
- Modular and flexible right from the start – you start where it makes sense for your company and grow step by step as required.
- Pioneer in ESG reporting – As a GRI partner and Friend of EFRAG, we are close to new standards and translate them into our software at an early stage.
- One system for everything – Whether VSME, ESRS, GRI or industry-specific guidelines: The VERSO ESG Hub bundles your ESG data in one place and creates the basis for well-founded decisions.
With VERSO you remain capable of acting – now and in the future.
VERSO enables us to collect our ESG data centrally in one place and create our sustainability report. This allows us to determine our status quo, track targets and share our progress transparently with our stakeholders.
VERSO’s ESG software is the basis for our sustainability reporting and has made it much easier to prepare a report for the first time. The central data collection in the tool, the extensive design options with our corporate design, the integrated guidelines and the personal support ensure a very efficient process.
With its software and its consulting and customer success team, VERSO is a reliable partner on our way to the finished sustainability report.
VERSO offers us the ideal platform to make our reporting efficient and CSRD-compliant and serves as a cockpit for our sustainability management.
VERSO is a proven platform that makes it possible to visualize the development of sustainability in our company over time.
The solution is easy to use and virtually self-explanatory. Thanks to its modular structure, the platform can be adapted to our requirements at any time.
Questions and answers on the
VSME report
What is the VSME standard?
The VSME standard is a voluntary ESG reporting framework designed specifically for non-listed mid-sized companies. It is based on the “full” ESRS but is significantly more pragmatic.
VSME enables mid-sized companies to establish structured and credible sustainability reporting without the administrative burden of full CSRD implementation.
What is the difference between VSME, CSRD, and ESRS?
The CSRD is a mandatory reporting requirement for companies and requires sustainability reports to be prepared in line with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). VSME, by contrast, is a voluntary standard for mid-sized companies. It is based on ESRS but designed to be significantly leaner and more practical, making it ideal for companies that want to report without excessive bureaucracy.
How is VSME structured?
The VSME standard follows a modular structure and offers two reporting options: the basic module and the comprehensive module. The basic module covers the most important ESG metrics. It is ideal for mid-sized companies that want to create fundamental transparency without significant effort. The comprehensive module provides a deeper ESG analysis and aligns more closely with CSRD requirements. This module is particularly relevant for suppliers to large companies or more ambitious mid-sized businesses.
What ESG data do I need for the VSME report?
VSME collects key ESG data, including qualitative information on strategy and governance as well as selected metrics on climate, environment, social topics, and corporate responsibility. The comprehensive module goes into greater depth, while the basic module focuses on the most essential disclosures.
How much effort does a VSME report require?
The level of effort depends on the selected module: the basic module is intentionally designed to be lean and can be implemented in a short time with proper preparation. With the right software like VERSO, data can be captured in a structured way and processed efficiently, even without a large sustainability team.
Who is VSME suitable for?
- Companies that may no longer fall under CSRD requirements due to the Omnibus Regulation but want to make meaningful use of their existing CSRD groundwork
- Suppliers to large companies with ESG requirements
- Mid-sized companies looking to access better financing and funding opportunities
Why report in line with VSME?
You can communicate sustainability in a credible and structured way without getting lost in complex regulation. It also helps you prepare for customer requirements and tenders while improving access to financing and funding. And not to forget: it allows you to show your stakeholders—beyond regulatory obligations—that you operate sustainably and are proactively preparing for increasing sustainability requirements.
What is the right time to start with VSME?
VSME is ideal if your company is not currently subject to CSRD requirements but is already feeling increasing ESG demands from customers, investors, or tenders. It is also a pragmatic starting point for companies that want to build on their existing CSRD groundwork in a meaningful way.
Is a sustainability software needed for a VSME report?
Yes, because VSME also requires structured collection of a wide range of ESG data. Dedicated ESG software with the standard built in centralizes all information, follows VSME logic, and enables holistic sustainability management beyond reporting.
What does a VSME report cost?
Costs depend on report scope, internal data availability, and the chosen approach. Companies that use sustainability software typically save time and resources and can make reporting more efficient in the long term.
Can VSME be implemented with VERSO?
Yes. With VERSO, you can create your VSME report in a structured, efficient, and compliant way. Our software guides you through all requirements, provides templates tailored specifically to VSME, and delivers a report ready for export. At the same time, you can manage your entire sustainability management process within the platform.
Request a VSME demo now
Find out in a free demo how easy it is to create the VSME report with VERSO – without bureaucratic effort, but with real added value for your company.
- Insight into the VERSO ESG Hub
- Concrete application of the VSME standard
- Personal advice