{"id":5992,"date":"2025-03-11T19:46:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T17:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csr-tools.com\/uncategorized\/the-vsme-standard-why-it-is-gaining-in-importance\/"},"modified":"2025-03-17T21:39:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T19:39:53","slug":"the-vsme-standard-why-it-is-gaining-in-importance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/csr-tools.eu\/en\/blog-en\/the-vsme-standard-why-it-is-gaining-in-importance\/","title":{"rendered":"The VSME standard: Why it is gaining in importance"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)<\/a> poses major challenges for companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are faced with high bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to fulfilling the new sustainability reporting requirements. The Omnibus Initiative<\/a> was launched to simplify the implementation of the CSRD. With the latest proposal to streamline the CSRD, many companies are likely to be relieved of the reporting obligation. However, as sustainability reporting is still important for SMEs too, the focus is now shifting to the VSME standard (Voluntary standard for non-listed micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises)<\/a>, which was developed as a pragmatic alternative for smaller companies. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is the VSME standard?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The VSME standard was developed specifically for smaller companies in order to reduce the sustainability reporting requirements to a practicable level. While the CSRD entails extensive reporting obligations and detailed disclosure requirements, the VSME standard is based on a simplified yet meaningful reporting structure. <\/p>\n

In December 2024, the standard was updated and simplified once again.<\/a> Compared to the comprehensive requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)<\/a>, which include over 1,000 data points, the VSME standard significantly reduces the administrative workload. It contains only two modules with 20 overreporting points. A double materiality analysis<\/a> is not necessary. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Omnibus Initiative - driver of CSRD streamlining<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The EU’s omnibus initiative is a response to criticism that the original CSRD requirements place an excessive burden on smaller companies in particular. The aim of this initiative is to remove bureaucratic hurdles, reduce the reporting burden and create realistic requirements for SMEs. A proposal has now been submitted by the Commission, although it has not yet been finalized. <\/p>\n

The most important changes to the proposal at a glance:<\/p>\n

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  1. Numerous companies exempt from CSRD reporting requirements: <\/b>Only companies with over 1,000 employees are required to report according to the proposal. This would reduce the number of companies that have to publish a sustainability report by 80%. <\/li>\n
  2. Later reporting obligations<\/b>: Companies do not have to report for the 2027 financial year until 2028.<\/li>\n
  3. Fewer reporting obligations<\/b>: 25% fewer data points, no sector-specific standards, limitation of supply chain reporting obligations.<\/li>\n
  4. No stricter review<\/b>: The planned “Reasonable Assurance” is no longer applicable, “Limited Assurance” remains.<\/li>\n
  5. EU taxonomy simplified<\/b>: OpEx reporting obligation only for \u2265 25% taxonomy-eligible turnover, materiality threshold, voluntary reporting possible.<\/li>\n
  6. CSDDD relaxations<\/b>: Due diligence obligations only for direct business partners, no EU-wide liability, inspections only every 5 years.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    \n\n\t\t\t\t\t\tImportant note<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

    The EU Commission's omnibus amendments are proposals. These proposals must be consulted on and first adopted by the EU Parliament and the European Council and converted into a directive. The ESRS must then be adapted by means of a delegated act and transposed into the national law of the EU member states. <\/p>\n<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t