Requests for information on sustainability are becoming increasingly common. Customers, banks, investors, and stakeholders are asking companies for reliable, comparable, and transparent data on their environmental, social, and governance performance.
For SMEs, this scenario presents a new challenge, but also an opportunity: to clearly and systematically communicate their commitment to sustainability, leveraging the data, processes, and initiatives already in place within the organization.
To explore these topics in greater depth, AFNOR Italia is organizing a webinar:
Sustainability Reports for SMEs: How to Create a Reliable and Verifiable One
The Role of the VSME Standard and AFNOR's Independent Verification
September 23, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Online
This webinar is intended for organizations, auditors, and consultants interested in understanding how to prepare, organize, and present sustainability information in a simple, proportionate, and verifiable manner.
The Role of the VSME for SMEs
The VSME—Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs —is the European voluntary standard developed by EFRAG for unlisted micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Its goal is to provide a simple and proportionate method for disclosing ESG information—that is, environmental, social, and governance information.
Through the VSME, SMEs can begin to structure their sustainability reports without adopting overly complex approaches, thereby responding more effectively to demands from the market, the value chain, and the financial sector.
Why Independent Verification Is Important
A sustainability report is even more effective when the published information undergoes independent verification. Such verification helps demonstrate the reliability and transparency of the reported ESG data, strengthens the trust of customers, banks, investors, and business partners, and improves the quality of internal data collection and management processes.
The independent AFNOR audit evaluates the information contained in the organization’s sustainability report, verifying its accuracy, consistency, completeness, and traceability.
It is therefore not just a matter of verifying the published data, but also of assessing the robustness of the processes the organization uses to collect, monitor, and consolidate ESG information.
ESG Management Systems and Data
During the webinar, we will also explore the connection between sustainability and corporate management systems.
Organizations that adopt management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 37001, or other certification schemes often already have processes, responsibilities, records, and metrics in place that are useful for collecting and monitoring ESG data.
Management systems can therefore serve as a solid foundation for developing a more robust, structured, and verifiable sustainability report.
What We'll Cover in the Webinar
During the meeting, the following topics will be discussed in depth:
- because SMEs are increasingly involved in sustainability initiatives;
- What is ESG data, and why is it important to customers, banks, and stakeholders?;
- What is VSME, and how can it support proportionate reporting?;
- How does the AFNOR independent audit work?;
- What benefits can an audited report offer?;
- The role of management systems in collecting and monitoring ESG information.
Who is this for?
This webinar is intended for organizations, auditors, and consultants, particularly those working in the areas of quality, the environment, health and safety, energy, compliance, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and management systems.
Information and Registration
Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Format: online
Participation is free with prior registration: https://forms.gle/1X9jtF5ffT9ipVuK7
For more information: italy@afnor.org
Tel.: 039 963 9602
AFNOR Italia – Via Artigianelli, 4 – 20900 Monza – Italy
Reliable ESG data, VSME standards, and independent AFNOR verification to meet the needs of customers, banks, and stakeholders.
