QUESTIONS?
FAQs and our expertise on sustainability.
What does the EU Omnibus Initiative mean for businesses?
The EU Omnibus Initiative includes proposals to simplify various sustainability requirements, including the CSRD. As a result, fewer small and medium-sized enterprises might be subject to direct reporting obligations in future.
ESG data remains relevant nonetheless: banks, major clients, insurance companies and supply chain partners are increasingly demanding such information, regardless of whether there is a legal obligation to provide it.
Which companies are likely to be affected by the CSRD?
Under the proposal currently under discussion, the direct reporting obligation would focus more heavily on large companies . As a result, many SMEs could fall outside the immediate scope of the proposal.
However, indirect requirements remain, for example through ESG enquiries from major business clients, banks or other financing partners.
What is the VSME standard? (hereinafter ‘VS’)
The VSME is a voluntary sustainability standard for unlisted small and medium-sized enterprises. It is based on the ESRS, but is significantly more concise and easier to apply.
This provides companies with a transparent framework for credibly compiling ESG data and making it available to banks, customers, and other stakeholders.
Why is it worth producing a voluntary VSME report?
Even in the absence of a statutory reporting requirement, banks, clients, insurance companies and investors are increasingly expecting robust ESG information.
The VSME helps organisations to meet these requirements in a structured and efficient manner, whilst at the same time strengthening their own competitiveness, financial security and credibility.
What specific benefits does a VSME report offer?
- Better opportunities with ESG-focused clients
- Structured preparation for funding applications
- Systematic development of sustainability management
- Fewer individual ESG questionnaires
- Early identification of risks and areas for action
Ist der VSME langfristig anschlussfähig?
Yes. The VSME is aligned with European sustainability reporting standards and provides a robust foundation for companies wishing to prepare for future requirements or more comprehensive ESG enquiries.
How does ESG.DNA support VSME reporting?
Starboard guides you step by step through the process of capturing the relevant company data, prioritising topics, defining key performance indicators and determining report content.
In addition, ESG experts provide technical guidance throughout the process, review the results and offer support with methodology, wording and the preparation of the final report.
How long does it take to prepare a VSME report?
The time required depends on the data available, the organisational structure and the internal resources available. An initial report may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
In subsequent years, the workload is significantly reduced, as structures, areas of responsibility and a great deal of data are already stored in the system.
How much does a VSME report with ESG.DNA cost?
The price depends on the company’s structure, the data available, the desired scope of services and the level of personal support required.
ollowing a brief assessment of the current situation, ESG.DNA draws up a suitable, bespoke proposal.
Is VSME also relevant to leasing and finance companies?
Yes. Companies that rely on refinancing in particular are increasingly required to provide banks with transparent ESG data.
Structured reporting helps to present sustainability information and emissions data reliably – even in non-manufacturing sectors.
Was ESG Starboard developed in collaboration with auditors?
Yes. The solution was developed in collaboration with an audit firm to ensure that documentation procedures, evidence management and reporting processes also take audit-related requirements into account.
Where is the company data stored?
The platform is operated by default in the Microsoft Azure cloud . The environment enables scalable, location-independent and data protection-compliant use.
Regular maintenance and updates ensure that security and performance standards are continuously taken into account.
Can group and site structures be mapped?
Yes. Starboard allows you to record parent companies, subsidiaries, branches, sites and other organisational units in a structured manner.
This allows data to be collected on a per-unit basis and then consolidated for a common reporting group.
Can Starboard be shared by several people?
Yes. Several internal contacts can work together on data collection, documentation, verification and report generation.
Roles and access rights help to clearly allocate responsibilities and organise collaboration in a transparent manner.
Which tasks are supported by AI?
AI is particularly helpful in the pre-selection of potentially relevant sustainability topics, in the dual materiality analysis and in the preparation of reporting content.
The results serve as a structured basis and are subsequently assessed by experts and processed further.
What does ‘double materiality’ mean?
The dual materiality approach considers two perspectives: on the one hand, the impact of sustainability issues on the company’s economic performance, and on the other hand, the company’s impact on the environment and people.
From this, the ESG issues relevant to each individual and the priority areas for action are identified.
How user-friendly is the platform?
The platform guides users step by step through the individual processes. Explanations, definitions and methodological guidance help users to enter the required data and content correctly.
Is there a limit on the number of users?
The platform is designed to facilitate collaboration between multiple stakeholders . The roles and permissions system allows access rights to be set up and managed in line with each user’s specific tasks.
Is a dual materiality analysis strictly required for a VSME report?
No. In the case of VSME reporting, the dual materiality analysis may be used as an option.
It offers significant strategic added value because it systematically prioritises relevant topics and provides a sound basis for actions and reporting content.
ESG solutions for every stage of your sustainability journey.
Four ways to work with us: Choose the one that suits your current situation.
VSME/ESRS/SRS: Sustainability Report
For companies that require a clear VSME or ESRS sustainability report. We produce your report from data collection through to the final draft, including ESG KPIs, materiality issues, CO₂ data, regulatory classification and corporate design.
ESG Office
For companies that want to manage ESG on an ongoing basis without setting up their own ESG team. We take on your external sustainability function and provide support with ESG strategy, reporting, KPI management and stakeholder enquiries.
Starboard – SME / Enterprise (KI-Software)
Enter your sustainability data just once. Our AI-powered software guides you through the entire process—from data collection to the final report in accordance with CSRD/ESRS, VSME, or UK SRS. Everything is handled in one place: no more Excel spreadsheets, version confusion, or last-minute stress before the deadline.
ESG Self-Assessment/Benchmarking
Through our ESG self-assessment and benchmarking program, conducted in partnership with Deutsche Bank, companies receive an initial assessment of their sustainability performance. The results highlight strengths and areas for improvement and provide a solid foundation for the next steps toward sustainable financing.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Our customers’ experiences
What companies say about working with ESG.DNA.
As a biotechnology company, we are faced with the challenge of meeting the regulatory requirements of ESRS reporting while developing a sound, long-term sustainability strategy. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools have proven to be an indispensable tool for us. They provide us with the structure and transparency we need to efficiently meet the complex ESRS requirements, and help us to accurately capture and analyse relevant data.
‘We are at the beginning of our journey towards a sustainability report and a double materiality analysis, and we are already excited about our collaboration with ESG.DNA. The ESG Starboard Tools are intuitive to use and provide us with exactly the support we need to effectively address our sustainability goals. We feel we are in good hands and look forward to the next steps with ESG.DNA at our side.’
‘For us as a leasing company, the requirements of our refinancing banks with regard to ESG reports are crucial. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools enable us to aggregate and present all relevant ESG data in a precise and transparent manner. This strengthens the trust of our financing partners, who are increasingly incorporating ESG criteria into their decisions. With our partner ESG.DNA, we meet these expectations efficiently and reliably.’
‘We are grateful for the support of ESG.DNA in the preparation of our sustainability report. Thanks to the expertise of the consultants, we were able to develop and report on a precise sustainability strategy based on the double materiality analysis. We are proud of the result – a report that documents our commitment, goals and vision for a future worth living. We could not have achieved this without ESG.DNA as a competent partner at our side.’
“The ESG Starboard tools, which Atradius offers exclusively to its clients in collaboration with ESG.DNA, have provided us, as a steel company, with a practical and powerful solution. We were able to efficiently produce our sustainability report – from data collection through analysis to reporting in accordance with VSME – whilst at the same time ensuring transparency and certainty with regard to future reporting obligations. In addition to the intuitive software, we particularly appreciate the close, expert support provided by ESG.DNA.”
‘Starboard Tools from ESG.DNA is a very good tool for developing a sustainability report and documenting our sustainability goals. Even though we are still in the introductory phase, the enormous benefits are already apparent. The ESG.DNA team provides great support during implementation.’
‘Together with ESG.DNA, we have successfully carried out the double materiality analysis and prepared a materiality report in a short period of time. This has laid the foundation for important strategic financing. The next step is to prepare a comprehensive sustainability report in accordance with the ESRS.’
“For us, as a car retail group with multiple sites and subsidiaries, the ESG Starboard Tools offer a practical solution for managing our sustainability efforts in a structured and efficient manner. The intuitive user interface, the clear overview of all relevant ESG metrics and the ease with which we can compare performance across our sites are particularly helpful. Our collaboration with the ESG.DNA experts was excellent – they responded to our queries quickly and professionally.”
As a biotechnology company, we are faced with the challenge of meeting the regulatory requirements of ESRS reporting while developing a sound, long-term sustainability strategy. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools have proven to be an indispensable tool for us. They provide us with the structure and transparency we need to efficiently meet the complex ESRS requirements, and help us to accurately capture and analyse relevant data.
‘We are at the beginning of our journey towards a sustainability report and a double materiality analysis, and we are already excited about our collaboration with ESG.DNA. The ESG Starboard Tools are intuitive to use and provide us with exactly the support we need to effectively address our sustainability goals. We feel we are in good hands and look forward to the next steps with ESG.DNA at our side.’
‘For us as a leasing company, the requirements of our refinancing banks with regard to ESG reports are crucial. The ESG.DNA Starboard tools enable us to aggregate and present all relevant ESG data in a precise and transparent manner. This strengthens the trust of our financing partners, who are increasingly incorporating ESG criteria into their decisions. With our partner ESG.DNA, we meet these expectations efficiently and reliably.’
‘We are grateful for the support of ESG.DNA in the preparation of our sustainability report. Thanks to the expertise of the consultants, we were able to develop and report on a precise sustainability strategy based on the double materiality analysis. We are proud of the result – a report that documents our commitment, goals and vision for a future worth living. We could not have achieved this without ESG.DNA as a competent partner at our side.’
“The ESG Starboard tools, which Atradius offers exclusively to its clients in collaboration with ESG.DNA, have provided us, as a steel company, with a practical and powerful solution. We were able to efficiently produce our sustainability report – from data collection through analysis to reporting in accordance with VSME – whilst at the same time ensuring transparency and certainty with regard to future reporting obligations. In addition to the intuitive software, we particularly appreciate the close, expert support provided by ESG.DNA.”
‘Starboard Tools from ESG.DNA is a very good tool for developing a sustainability report and documenting our sustainability goals. Even though we are still in the introductory phase, the enormous benefits are already apparent. The ESG.DNA team provides great support during implementation.’
‘Together with ESG.DNA, we have successfully carried out the double materiality analysis and prepared a materiality report in a short period of time. This has laid the foundation for important strategic financing. The next step is to prepare a comprehensive sustainability report in accordance with the ESRS.’
“For us, as a car retail group with multiple sites and subsidiaries, the ESG Starboard Tools offer a practical solution for managing our sustainability efforts in a structured and efficient manner. The intuitive user interface, the clear overview of all relevant ESG metrics and the ease with which we can compare performance across our sites are particularly helpful. Our collaboration with the ESG.DNA experts was excellent – they responded to our queries quickly and professionally.”