Sustainability reporting
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive – CSRD
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) replaces and significantly expands the existing guidelines on non-financial reporting. The aim is to increase the responsibility of European companies and transparency with regard to sustainability aspects.
The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) form the content framework for implementing the CSRD. In addition to mandatory parts of reporting standards, the double materiality analysis forms the basis for the report content. Here, material sustainability issues are identified by considering the impact of the company's own business operations on people and the environment, as well as the impact of sustainability aspects on the company itself.
CSRD REQUIREMENTS UNDER REVIEW - EU PLANS RELIEF FOR COMPANIES
At the beginning of 2025, the EU Commission presented the so-called omnibus package to simplify the requirements for sustainability reporting. In particular, the focus is on easing the burden on SMEs, improving the feasibility of existing regulations and achieving a balance between transparency and effort. Ein zentraler Vorschlag des Omnibus-Pakets ist dabei die Reduzierung des Anwendungsbereichs auf Unternehmen mit > 1.000 Mitarbeitenden.
Companies that are still subject to the reporting obligation can also benefit from reduced bureaucracy - but will find themselves in a phase of regulatory uncertainty until the final implementation of the changes. It is therefore advisable to follow the legislative process closely in order to be able to react to new requirements at an early stage.
THOSE WHO CREATE TRANSPARENCY NOW ARE IDEALLY EQUIPPED FOR FUTURE REQUIREMENTS
Take advantage of the positive effects of an effective sustainability strategy with transparent reporting - even in the face of regulatory changes:
- Sustainability issues are becoming increasingly relevant to financing
- Long-term design of the corporate strategy for sustainable growth
- Strengthens the credibility of your company
- Increased transparency sends a positive signal to stakeholders, banks and investors
- Strengthens employee loyalty and supports positive employer branding
- Deeper process understanding creates an overview of optimization potential for internal processes
- Compliance with legal requirements (CSRD, NFRD, LkSG, etc.)
SERVICES FACT
CSRD/ESRS, CBAM, Carbon Leakage Regulation (BECV), Packaging Act, etc:
With FACT, you can maintain an overview in the face of increasingly complex regulations!
Advice on the preparation of sustainability reports
Consulting on the application of ESRS reporting standards and other reporting standards such as VSME or GRI
Consulting on legal requirements and sustainability guidelines such as CBAM and other regulations
(voluntary) Review of your sustainability report
We are happy to support you in creating a basis for transparent and high-quality sustainability reporting.
SUSTAINABILITY IN FOCUS: Increasing regulatory requirements
Companies are confronted with a large number of new directives and regulations - from the EU regulation on carbon border adjustment (CBAM) to the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) and international reporting obligations along the supply chain. These requirements not only affect compliance with legal requirements, but also influence strategic decisions and processes along the entire value chain.
In addition to sustainability reporting, internationally active companies are also confronted with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It acts as an instrument against the shifting of CO2-emissions to countries outside the EU. The border adjustment system applies to the import of certain goods from CO2-intensive sectors and affects large parts of German industry. Since October 1, 2023, the companies concerned have been required to submit a separate quarterly report.
Contact the sustainability team
Andreas Gottmann
Uwe Schweickert
Holger Staab
Julia Kahrmann
First Sustainability Report of the FACT Group
We are pleased to present our first Sustainability Report. For us, this report is an important step: it provides the foundation for a structured and transparent presentation of our sustainability activities.
Sustainability is gaining importance across all industries, including tax consulting, auditing, and legal services. With around 100 employees, we want to demonstrate how this topic is present in our daily work.
Our report was prepared according to the voluntary VSME standard. VSME stands for “Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs” and offers small and medium-sized enterprises a practical framework to present sustainability in a comprehensive way. The standard covers environmental, social, and governance aspects, enabling clear and transparent reporting.
The report serves as a starting point for documenting our key topics. It forms the basis for continuous development. In addition, we aim to provide our clients, partners, and employees with insight into how we understand and implement sustainability.