What is the VSME standard?

The Voluntary SME Standard is EFRAG's simplified sustainability reporting standard for small and medium-sized undertakings not in scope of CSRD. It was adopted in December 2024. Its purpose is to give SMEs a common, credible way to answer bank and value-chain ESG questionnaires with a single report.

No. VSME is voluntary. But SMEs increasingly need to respond to bank, insurance and customer sustainability requests - using VSME lets you answer once, in a standard format, instead of filling dozens of bespoke questionnaires.

What's the difference between Basic and Comprehensive modules?

The Basic Module (B1–B12) is the entry point - 12 disclosures covering the essentials. The Comprehensive Module adds strategy, targets, business-model resilience and workforce diversity for SMEs preparing to move towards CSRD or facing more demanding value-chain requests. This tool covers the Basic Module.

Do I need Scope 3 emissions?

The Basic Module (B3) requires Scope 1 and Scope 2 only. Scope 3 is expected only in the Comprehensive Module and only if the SME has significant value-chain emissions relative to its size.

Which grid factor should I use for Scope 2?

Use your country's official grid intensity factor - 2024 IEA or national grid operator. For Cyprus, 0.622 kg CO₂e/kWh is the current default. Report both location-based and market-based Scope 2 if you procure green electricity via PPAs or certificates.

How does the VSME output help with CSRD?

Many VSME data points (energy, workforce, incidents, water) map directly to ESRS disclosures. Producing a VSME report is a valid warm-up for CSRD wave 2 and 3 companies - the format is different, but the underlying data collection is the same.

Can I omit disclosures?

Yes, VSME allows 'if applicable' omissions. B1 has a dedicated field where you document the omission and the reasoning. Skipping without a stated reason is not permitted.

Do I need external assurance?

The VSME standard does not require assurance. But if your bank, customer or supply-chain partner asks for it, VSME's structured format makes limited-assurance engagements straightforward.

EFRAG VSME · Basic Module

VSME reporting template builder

Guided walkthrough of the EFRAG Voluntary SME Basic Module — disclosure by disclosure, exported as a branded PDF.

Current revision 9 July 2026

Overview0 of 12 complete

Overview

VSME Basic Module report

This tool produces a structured working document following the VSME Basic Module. It is a template - a full VSME report requires review by qualified sustainability staff and, where relevant, external assurance.

01B1Basis for preparation
02B2Practices, policies and future initiatives
03B3Energy and greenhouse gas emissions
04B4Pollution of air, water and soil
05B5Biodiversity
06B6Water
07B7Resource use, circular economy and waste
08B8Workforce — general characteristics
09B9Workforce — health and safety
10B10Remuneration, collective bargaining and training
11B11Workers in the value chain, communities, consumers
12B12Convictions and fines for corruption and bribery

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How the template works

The tool walks you through the twelve Basic Module disclosures (B1–B12) of the EFRAG Voluntary SME Standard. Enter data where it applies to you, skip where the standard's 'if applicable' clause permits, and export a structured report ready for review. Everything stays in your browser - no data is stored on our servers.

Legal basis: EFRAG Voluntary SME Standard (VSME) - final version, adopted December 2024. Basic Module disclosures B1–B12 are covered here; the optional Comprehensive Module (C1–C9) is not included in v1.
Structure: B1 Basis for preparation → B2 Practices/policies → B3 Energy & GHG → B4 Pollution → B5 Biodiversity → B6 Water → B7 Waste & circularity → B8–B10 Workforce → B11 Value chain human rights → B12 Corruption & bribery.
Metrics: Numeric fields use SI units (MWh, t CO₂e, m³, tonnes waste). Reference method: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard for Scope 1 & 2. Reasoning fields accept free text - auditors will read them.
Omissions: The VSME 'if applicable' rule lets you skip disclosures that don't apply. B1 has a dedicated field for documenting each omission.
Assurance readiness: The exported PDF orders disclosures in EFRAG numbering, keeps evidence fields visible, and prints on standard A4 - ready to hand to an auditor or bank.
Storage: All entries live in your browser (localStorage). Export as JSON to keep an auditable copy, or CSV for spreadsheets.

A 45-person Cypriot food manufacturer uses VSME to answer bank requests

A small food manufacturer in Limassol receives an ESG questionnaire from its main bank ahead of a €1.2m credit renewal. Rather than answer 60 ad-hoc questions, the CFO fills the VSME Basic Module template in one afternoon: B3 Energy → 210 MWh electricity (100% from the grid, Cyprus factor 0.622), Scope 1 = 42 t CO₂e (natural gas), Scope 2 location-based = 131 t CO₂e; B7 Waste → 62 t total, 40% recycled; B8 Workforce → 45 headcount, 27 female / 18 male, all on permanent contracts; B12 Convictions → 0. The exported PDF becomes the response document. The bank recognises the EFRAG structure, dispenses with the questionnaire, and the CFO now has a reusable baseline for next year and for future CSRD scoping.

VSME reporting, answered

What is the VSME standard?
The Voluntary SME Standard is EFRAG's simplified sustainability reporting standard for small and medium-sized undertakings not in scope of CSRD. It was adopted in December 2024. Its purpose is to give SMEs a common, credible way to answer bank and value-chain ESG questionnaires with a single report.
Is VSME mandatory?
No. VSME is voluntary. But SMEs increasingly need to respond to bank, insurance and customer sustainability requests - using VSME lets you answer once, in a standard format, instead of filling dozens of bespoke questionnaires.
What's the difference between Basic and Comprehensive modules?
The Basic Module (B1–B12) is the entry point - 12 disclosures covering the essentials. The Comprehensive Module adds strategy, targets, business-model resilience and workforce diversity for SMEs preparing to move towards CSRD or facing more demanding value-chain requests. This tool covers the Basic Module.
Do I need Scope 3 emissions?
The Basic Module (B3) requires Scope 1 and Scope 2 only. Scope 3 is expected only in the Comprehensive Module and only if the SME has significant value-chain emissions relative to its size.
Which grid factor should I use for Scope 2?
Use your country's official grid intensity factor - 2024 IEA or national grid operator. For Cyprus, 0.622 kg CO₂e/kWh is the current default. Report both location-based and market-based Scope 2 if you procure green electricity via PPAs or certificates.
How does the VSME output help with CSRD?
Many VSME data points (energy, workforce, incidents, water) map directly to ESRS disclosures. Producing a VSME report is a valid warm-up for CSRD wave 2 and 3 companies - the format is different, but the underlying data collection is the same.
Can I omit disclosures?
Yes, VSME allows 'if applicable' omissions. B1 has a dedicated field where you document the omission and the reasoning. Skipping without a stated reason is not permitted.
Do I need external assurance?
The VSME standard does not require assurance. But if your bank, customer or supply-chain partner asks for it, VSME's structured format makes limited-assurance engagements straightforward.

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