Interview with Matthieu Garat, specialist and head of BU ESEF / ESG
Can you explain what VSME standards are, and who they’re aimed at ?
The Voluntary Standards for non-listed micro-, small- and medium-sized undertakings (VSME) are European sustainability reporting standards. They were created specifically for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are not listed on the stock exchange.
The aim is simple: to enable these structures to better understand, structure and communicate their environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact. These standards are voluntary, but they provide a clear framework for gradually integrating sustainability into management practices.
How can VSMEs help small businesses structure their CSR approach ?
VSMEs give companies a common language in which to talk about sustainability. This is a key step for all SMEs wishing to adopt a coherent CSR strategy.
This framework enables them not only to meet the growing expectations of their stakeholders (customers, partners, investors), but also to strengthen their brand image, differentiate themselves in their market and, ultimately, attract responsible financing.
What are the concrete objectives of VSME reporting ?
There are three main objectives:
- Inform stakeholders and investors with reliable sustainability data
- Improve the company’s sustainable performance through better management of environmental and social impacts
- Contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive economy, by aligning SME practices with major European guidelines.
This framework helps companies to better manage their sustainable transformation, while gaining in transparency.
Why do you recommend relying on a digital platform rather than a consulting firm for VSME compliance ?
Calling on a consulting firm can be useful for initiating a process, but using a specialized platform offers several major advantages :
- It offers a scalable, data-centric approach, essential for meeting ESG reporting requirements
- It automates the process, updates indicators in real time, and improves tracking over time.
- Finally, it’s more cost-effective, more agile, and better suited to the internal capabilities of SMEs than prolonged dependence on external consulting services
How do you see ESG reporting for SMEs evolving over the next few years ?
The trend is clear : ESG requirements are set to intensify, and SMEs will be increasingly called upon by their customers and investors to demonstrate their sustainable commitment.
Standards such as VSMEs offer a gradual and adapted entry, which is essential to avoid a divide between large companies and SMEs.
That’s why it’s strategic to get started now, with the right tools, to turn an obligation into a competitive advantage.
To remember
VSME standards are not a constraint, but an opportunity: to structure a coherent, data-driven approach to sustainability, accessible even to the smallest structures. And thanks to technology platforms, this process can be simple, reliable and strategic.
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