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Getting Started
What is the Voluntary Standard (VS) and ESRS, and why they exist
These are two European sustainability reporting frameworks, each for a different type of company.
ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) — The ESRS are the mandatory standards under the CSRD directive. Since Directive (EU) 2026/470 of 24 February 2026, they apply only to companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than EUR 450 million in net turnover, and both criteria must be met at the same time, from financial years starting in 2027.
Voluntary Standard (VS) — The Voluntary Standard is the standard for every other company, up to 1,000 employees. It grew out of the VSME, delivered by EFRAG in December 2024 and recognised by the European Commission in July 2025, and became a regulation with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1560, published on 21 September 2026.
Why does it exist?
Because smaller companies were receiving ESG data requests from banks, clients and investors, each in a different format. The Voluntary Standard creates a single format to answer them all.
It has two modules: the Basic Module, the essential one, and the Comprehensive Module, with the additional information banks and investors usually ask for.
Bsustain generates sustainability reports in compliance with the Voluntary Standard (VS), Basic Module and Comprehensive Module.
Getting Started