Make sustainability reporting practical and actionable
Sustainability is playing an increasing role within the food sector. Customers, retailers, supply chain partners and financial institutions expect transparency on ESG topics such as environmental impact, social responsibility and governance.
At the same time, many organizations find that sustainability reporting can become complex and time-consuming. Especially now that European legislation around CSRD and ESG reporting is in full development.
Although many companies ultimately turn out not to be required to report extensively according to CSRD or ESRS, the demand for reliable sustainability information remains.
The VSME standard offers a practical alternative for this. With a clear and standardized approach, you report more efficiently on sustainability, without the administrative burden of extensive corporate reporting frameworks.
What is VSME?
VSME stands for Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs. This European standard was developed for small and medium-sized enterprises that are not subject to mandatory CSRD reporting, but do need to share ESG information with customers, suppliers, retailers or banks.
With VSME you report in a structured way on topics such as:
- Energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- Use of raw materials and packaging
- Safety, employees and social impact
- Policy, risks and governance
The big advantage of VSME is its practical applicability. Instead of filling out separate questionnaires for each customer, you work with one central sustainability report that can be used for multiple applications.
This creates more structure, less double administration and more grip on sustainability information within your organization.
Smart reporting with the Workable Method tool
Normec Foodcare works with the Workable Method tool: a user-friendly, EU-based solution developed together with sector partners and aligned with European sustainability standards.
The tool helps organizations collect, structure and report ESG data centrally. This makes sustainability reporting not only easier, but also more manageable and scalable.
With the Workable Method tool:
- Collect your ESG data in one central location.
- Work according to a standardized structure
- Reduce loose Excel files and manual processes
- Make your reports usable by multiple stakeholders
- Be better prepared for future regulations
Normec Foodcare guides companies through the entire process of sustainability reporting. Depending on your needs, we provide partial support or take the entire process off your hands.
How Normec Foodcare supports
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Implementation and start-up
We guide the implementation of the Workable Method tool and advise on licensing, setup and practical application within your organization.
If the license is through Normec Foodcare, discount options are also available.
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2.
Training and guidance
Our specialists provide training and practical guidance so that your team can work efficiently with the tool and understand which ESG information is relevant.
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3.
ESG data capture and support
We support the collection, structuring and processing of ESG data. In doing so, we also help with quality control and proper capture of information.
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4.
Reporting and reporting
We provide clear reports that meet the information needs of customers, supply chain partners and financial institutions.
If required, our specialists can take over the entire process: from data collection to reporting.
One report for multiple applications
Many organizations today receive several ESG questionnaires from customers, retailers and supply chain partners. This often involves multiple requests for the same information.
With a VSME report, you have one standardized report that can be widely used within the chain.
This provides direct benefits:
- Less administrative burden
- Less loss of time due to separate requests
- Faster answering of ESG questions
- More consistency in sustainability information
- A more professional image towards clients and partners
Prepared for future regulations
Sustainability reporting will only become more important within the food sector in the coming years. Organizations that already structure ESG data and reporting today are building a stronger starting position for the future.
With VSME:
- Increase your transparency towards customers and stakeholders
- Build trust within the chain
- Make your sustainability demonstrable
- You are better prepared for future legislation
- Strengthen your competitive position
Organizing sustainability reporting smarter?
Normec Foodcare helps your organization set up sustainability reporting in a practical, efficient and future-oriented way. Contact us for advice, guidance or support on VSME reporting.
FAQ
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CSRD is een verplichte Europese duurzaamheidsrapportage voor grotere organisaties. VSME is een vrijwillige standaard voor bedrijven die niet rapportageplichtig zijn, maar wel ESG-data moeten delen met klanten en ketenpartners.
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VSME is ontwikkeld voor kleine en middelgrote ondernemingen die duurzaamheidsinformatie willen structureren en professioneel willen rapporteren.
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Nee, VSME is vrijwillig. Toch vragen steeds meer klanten, retailers en financiële instellingen om ESG-informatie.
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Een VSME-rapport zorgt voor minder administratieve belasting, meer structuur in ESG-data en efficiëntere communicatie richting klanten en partners.
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Ja. Onze specialisten kunnen het volledige traject verzorgen, van dataverzameling tot rapportage.
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De Workable Method tool helpt organisaties om ESG-data centraal te verzamelen en te rapporteren volgens de VSME-standaard.