EFRAG releases the mappings of digital tools, platforms and initiatives for SME sustainability reporting

EFRAG is pleased to release two complementary reports to support the application of the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME).

The first report provides practical support to SMEs that wish to report their GHG emissions based on VSME. The report maps 100 digital tools (e.g. GHG calculators, geolocation tools) that answered EFRAG’s call for interest and provides a comparative analysis of shortlisted GHG calculators that met pre-defined criteria described in the report. The shortlist of GHG calculators offers practical support to SMEs that wish to report their GHG emissions based on VSME.

The second report provides an overview of the 223 platforms and initiatives for SMEs reporting that answered EFRAG's call for interest. The report focuses on the comparison of the characteristics of those shortlisted platforms and initiatives that met pre-defined criteria and that completed a self-assessment grid to test VSME alignment. It then focuses on the comparison of the characteristics of those shortlisted platforms and initiatives that met pre-defined criteria and that completed a self-assessment grid to test VSME alignment.

Patrick de Cambourg, EFRAG SRB Chair, stated:

“The reports offer valuable insights into the European digital reporting landscape even if the reports provide only a snapshot of those tools and platforms that answered the Call for Interest. The reports present those tools and platforms together with the self-assessment provided by the participants under their sole responsibility. This is an initial step towards a much-needed pan-European ecosystem to empower SMEs in their sustainability journey. EFRAG is committed to contributing to the next steps.”

Chiara del Prete, EFRAG SR TEG Chair, stated:

“We expect to see a growing number of SMEs adopting VSME, following the recommendation issued by the European Commission in July. The reports EFRAG issues today provides a list of useful resources of tools and platforms that support the adoption of VSME. This is part of EFRAG effort to promote market acceptance of VSME and in this way contribute to reducing the reporting costs for SMEs.”

VSME Ecosystem Background

Following EFRAG’s technical advice on the VSME to the European Commission, EFRAG has been working on the roll-out of the VSME Ecosystem which includes complementary initiatives aimed at promoting market acceptance of the VSME in order to fully realize the benefits of the standard.