VSME
Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs
VSME is the voluntary sustainability reporting standard for small and medium-sized enterprises, published by EFRAG in December 2024. It gives non-listed SMEs a single, proportionate way to report environmental, social and governance information — most often to answer requests from banks, investors and larger customers in their value chain.
| Publisher | EFRAG |
|---|---|
| Status | Voluntary |
| Published | December 2024 |
| Applies to | Non-listed SMEs |
| Modules | Basic + Comprehensive |
Who reports under it
Non-listed micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that want a simple, standardised way to answer sustainability data requests. It is voluntary — no SME is legally required to use it — but it is fast becoming the common language for value-chain ESG requests in the EU.
The two VSME modules
Foundational disclosures covering general company information, energy and GHG emissions, pollution, water, waste and biodiversity, basic workforce metrics, and governance — designed to be achievable for even the smallest companies.
Additional disclosures for SMEs with more advanced needs or larger data requests, such as GHG reduction targets, climate risks and transition plans, and expanded workforce and human-rights information.
Why VSME matters for SMEs
Banks, investors and large customers increasingly ask SMEs for sustainability data — often through long, inconsistent questionnaires. VSME replaces that chaos with one recognised standard, so you answer once and reuse it. It also acts as a proportionate "value-chain cap", meaning large companies should not ask their SME suppliers for more than VSME requires.
How to report under VSME
Define your reporting boundary and period, gather your energy and emissions data, complete the Basic Module (and the Comprehensive Module if your stakeholders need it), keep supporting evidence, and share the result. Clidapt automates most of this — it drafts the disclosures from your data and flags what is missing.
Frequently asked questions
Is VSME mandatory?
No. VSME is voluntary. No SME is legally required to use it, but many adopt it because banks, investors and large customers increasingly request standardised sustainability data.
What is the difference between the Basic and Comprehensive modules?
The Basic Module is the minimum set of foundational disclosures. The Comprehensive Module adds further disclosures — such as GHG reduction targets, climate risks and expanded social metrics — for SMEs with more advanced needs or larger stakeholder requests.
How does VSME relate to CSRD?
VSME is the proportionate standard for SMEs that are not directly in scope of the CSRD. It is designed to satisfy the value-chain data requests that flow down from CSRD-reporting companies, without imposing the full ESRS burden on small businesses.
How Clidapt helps
Clidapt auto-drafts your VSME Basic and Comprehensive disclosures from your emissions and operational data, and scores their quality.