--- title: "VSME Reporting for SMEs: Answer Bank and Customer Requests" description: "A VSME report that passes the bank: reliable Scope 1 to 3 data, EFRAG-aligned, linked to financing. Fixed price €15,000, 6 to 8 weeks." image: https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/og/og-vsme-en-2026-09.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#main-content) [![Fiegenbaum Solutions Logo](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/Branding/Fiegenbaum-Solutions_Logo.svg) ![Fiegenbaum Solutions Logo](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/Branding/Fiegenbaum-Solutions_Logo.svg)](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/?hsLang=en) - [English](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes) - [Deutsch](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/nachhaltigkeitsberichterstattung-für-kmu-vsme-standard-einführen) - Services - [Climate Risk Assessment](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/climate-risk-analysis-for-companies) - [VSME Report](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes) - [ESG Due Diligence VCs & Series A+](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/esg-due-diligence-vcs-series-a-startups) - [Corporate Carbon Footprint](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/company-carbon-footprint-methods-tools-best-practice) - Tools - [Scope 3 Quick-Check](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/scope-3-quick-check) - [ESG Investment Quick-Check](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/esg-investment-quick-check) - [CSRD Materiality Screening](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/csrd-materiality-screening) - [Pricing](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/esg-climate-consulting-fixed-prices-carbon-footprint-vsme-due-diligence-climate-risk) - [About me](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/about-me) - [Blog](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/blog) - [Contact](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/contact) VSME report # VSME reporting that passes the bank Reliable Scope 1/2/3 data, quality assurance and the link to financing and customer requests. Built in VSEasy, the software I developed myself, reviewed by me and made audit-ready. Not just filling in the report. [Schedule a call](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-form)[Fixed price →](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-preise) Fixed price €15,000· 6 to 8 weeks· EFRAG-aligned One package, two routes Guided implemen­tation €15,000 6 to 8 weeks, basic module B1 to B11, reviewed by me Do it yourself in VSEasy from €99/month for teams that already have the data Fixed price, excl. VAT[What’s included →](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-preise) Triggers ## The four most common triggers for a VSME report A VSME report is not a PR exercise, and the voluntary label is an illusion. If you sit in the value chain of a reporting corporate or want to extend a loan, there is no real choice left. ### Banks and financing ESG criteria feed systematically into lending: conditions, collateral valuation, funding eligibility. A VSME report delivers the data points credit analysts expect in green loans and KfW lines. **Data basis**Modules B3 (environment), B5 (business conduct), C1 to C3 if needed ### Supply chain requirements Reporting companies pass their obligation down the supply chain. Without ESG evidence, SMEs fail supplier qualifications, not for lack of quality but for lack of documentation. **Data basis**Basic module B1 to B11 covers the most common questionnaires ### Investors and M&A VCs, PE funds and strategic buyers check ESG in due diligence. A VSME report quantifies sustainability maturity and strengthens your position in funding rounds and exit talks. **Data basis**Comprehensive C1 to C9 for investor-grade depth ### Internal decision Management or shareholders have decided: sustainability gets systematised. VSME provides the frame, not a 300-page policy but a structured process with clear data points. **Data basis**Basic or comprehensive, depending on maturity 1,000+ **Benchmark included:** I have analysed more than 1,000 European sustainability reports in VSEasy. Your report comes with the industry comparison: CO₂, energy, renewable energy, water and diversity against your sector median. So bank and customer know not only what you measure, but where you stand. VSME is not a stripped-down CSRD report but its own EFRAG standard with two modules, around 80 percent fewer data points than the full ESRS, fully compatible. Since July 2026 the European Commission lists it officially as the Voluntary Standard. What the report covers ## Two modules, one standard The basic module is enough for most SMEs. The comprehensive module makes sense when investors, banks or strategic partners expect deeper ESG data. Moving to ESRS later is possible at any time. **Basic B1 to B2: general** Company profile, business model, value chain, governance structure. **Basic B3 to B5: environment** Energy use, greenhouse gas emissions Scope 1 and 2, water, waste, biodiversity. Covers the most common data requests from banks and key accounts. **Basic B6 to B11: social and governance** Workforce, occupational safety, diversity, training, anti-corruption, data protection. **Comprehensive C1 to C9** Scope 3, full carbon footprint, climate targets and transition plan, supply chain due diligence, materiality assessment. The bridge to full ESRS reporting. [Start the free benchmark →](https://vseasy.fiegenbaum.solutions/onboarding?utm_source=leistungsseite&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=vsme-benchmark) Process ## The route to a VSME report in 6 to 8 weeks Quick positioning, systematic data collection, finished report. You talk to me from the first call to delivery. 1 ### Check and planning, weeks 1 to 2 Module selection, prioritise stakeholder requirements, identify data sources and map gaps. You get Excel templates, not a blank sheet. 2 ### Data collection, weeks 2 to 5 Capture ESG data along the VSME data points: energy, emissions, social, governance. Simplified materiality assessment, plausibility checks in VSEasy. 3 ### Report and quality assurance, weeks 5 to 8 VSME report as PDF, 15 to 20 pages, with industry benchmark. Reviewed by me and audit-ready for bank, customer and auditor. Effort on your side: usually 5 to 10 hours of data gathering plus one workshop. I take care of the rest. Benefits ## What you have after the process VSME reporting is not a compliance exercise, it unlocks concrete financial levers. The strongest often work in the first reporting year. Financing ### Green financing ESG-aligned reporting improves access to green loans, sustainable promissory notes and ESG-linked credit lines. Funding ### Funding programmes KfW, state development banks and EU programmes increasingly require ESG data. A VSME report simplifies applications considerably. Sales ### Supply chain access Standardised ESG data secures orders that are no longer awarded without evidence. One data set covers more than 80 percent of typical questionnaires. Following years ### Report 2, 3 and 4 A clear roadmap for updating the report efficiently without starting from scratch each year. VSEasy carries master data into the next year. Typical effect: SMEs with a VSME report answer ESG questionnaires in days instead of weeks. And the report is already on the table at the next bank meeting, before the bank asks. Fixed price ## VSME Basic Implementation For SMEs with supply chain reporting obligations or customer requirements. Combined with a carbon footprint: package price. Recommended ### VSME Basic Implementation For SMEs with reporting obligations or customer requirements €15,000Fixed price, excl. VAT · 6 to 8 weeks - ✓Basic module B1 to B11, approx. 50 data points - ✓Simplified materiality assessment - ✓Gap analysis against the VSME standard - ✓Excel templates for data collection - ✓VSME report, 15 to 20 pages, PDF - ✓Industry benchmark from more than 1,000 large-company reports and more than 100 VSME reports [Book now](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-form)Built with VSEasy, reviewed by me ### Report yourself with VSEasy For teams that already have the data from €99/monthStarter with basic module, Growth from €349/month with XBRL export and real benchmarks - ✓Guided data entry along B1 to B11 - ✓Plausibility checks and evidence per data point - ✓PDF export, Excel and XBRL in the Growth plan - ✓Versioning and next-year carry-over - ✓7-day trial, no credit card [Request scoping](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-form)Consulting on top if you want it Who it is for ## Who the VSME standard is made for ![](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hs-fs/hubfs/lennart-schneider-h3xm3yBip74-unsplash.jpg?width=700) Target groups Industrial suppliers whose OEM customers request ESG data along the supply chain. SMEs ahead of bank meetings or funding rounds. International mid-sized companies that want reporting duties, EU Taxonomy and CBAM on one shared data basis. Growth SMEs and startups from Series A whose investors check ESG in due diligence. Suppliers Bank meeting Series A+ [Start the free benchmark →](https://vseasy.fiegenbaum.solutions/onboarding?utm_source=leistungsseite&utm_medium=cta&utm_campaign=vsme-benchmark) **On request in addition:** carbon footprint with Scope 3 and climate risk analysis when bank or customer dig deeper. Both connect to the VSME report without collecting the data twice. First call ## Schedule a call Tell me who is asking for the report and where you stand with the data. In the free first call we settle whether basic or comprehensive fits and whether you build the report with me or yourself in VSEasy. ✓Free and without obligation ✓You talk to me, not to a team ✓Your details stay confidential and are not passed on ✓An honest assessment, even if it is: you don’t need this yet 24 hours reply on working days, usually faster No prior knowledge needed I explain the acronyms FAQ ## Frequently asked questions Is the VSME standard mandatory? For most SMEs VSME is voluntary. In practice the market makes it mandatory: banks, key accounts and investors ask for ESG data aligned with VSME. Since July 2026 the European Commission lists it officially as the Voluntary Standard, with a cap on data requests along the value chain. What does a VSME report cost? The range runs from €99 a month for self-service in VSEasy to €15,000 fixed price for the guided implementation. The right option depends on your in-house know-how and whether you set the process up once or recurring. How does VSME differ from a CSRD report? VSME is EFRAG’s simplified standard for SMEs, around 80 percent fewer data points than the full ESRS. No full double materiality assessment, no mandatory external audit. The pragmatic entry for SMEs, with the option to move to ESRS later. Do we need an external audit? No. VSME has no mandatory external assurance. A structured, traceable process with evidence per data point builds credibility even without an audit opinion, especially in bank meetings and with investors. How long does it take? Typically 6 to 8 weeks with guided implementation. Faster with VSEasy if the data is already there. The bottleneck is almost always the data, not the report. Can we use the report for several purposes? Yes. A VSME-aligned report covers most typical ESG questionnaires: supplier screenings, bank requests, investor due diligence. Report once, use everywhere. The key account’s questionnaire does not get shorter, but your answer does. ## Who is asking you for the report? Bank, customer or investor: tell me where the pressure comes from and where you stand with the data. In the free first call we settle module, route and timeline. [Schedule a call](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-form)[Fixed price →](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes#fs-preise) ##### Johannes Fiegenbaum Johannes Fiegenbaum I turn climate risk and ESG data into capital and financing decisions. For mid-market companies and investors, data-driven. From Hamburg, for companies across Europe. ##### Tools Tools - [Scope 3 Quick-Check](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/scope-3-quick-check) - [CSRD Materiality Screening](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/csrd-materiality-screening) - [ESG Investment Quick-Check](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/esg-investment-quick-check) ##### Services Services - [Climate Risk Assessment](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/climate-risk-analysis-for-companies) - [VSME Reporting](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/vsme-reporting-for-smes) - [Company Carbon Footprint](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/company-carbon-footprint-methods-tools-best-practice) - [Double Materiality Assessment](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/double-materiality-analysis-definition-process-best-practice) ##### Fiegenbaum Solutions Fiegenbaum Solutions - [About me](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/about-me) - [Blog](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/blog) - [Contact](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/contact) [![1ftp\_BusinessMember\_Horizontal\_FullColor-250x107-faa8874b-96e3-41e2-bbbe-9303832ac91c](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/1ftp_BusinessMember_Horizontal_FullColor-250x107-faa8874b-96e3-41e2-bbbe-9303832ac91c.png)](https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/) - [Legal Notice](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/legal-notice) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/en/privacy-policy) © 2026 Fiegenbaum Solutions ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "Place", "name" : "European Union" }, "description" : "Nachhaltigkeitsberatung mit Fokus auf Klimarisikoanalyse, ESG-Reporting (CSRD, VSME) und Climate Tech Investmentberatung.", "employee" : { "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#founder" }, "founder" : { "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#founder" }, "image" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/Branding/Fiegenbaum-Solutions_Logo.svg", "knowsAbout" : [ "ESG Reporting", "CSRD Compliance", "VSME Standard", "Climate Risk Analysis", "EURO-CORDEX", "CMIP6", "Scope 3 Emissions", "Scenario Analysis", "Sustainability Strategy", "Climate Tech Investment" ], "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/hubfs/Branding/Fiegenbaum-Solutions_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "Fiegenbaum Solutions", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannesfiegenbaum/" ], "url" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#founder", "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Nachhaltigkeitsberater & Climate Risk Advisor", "knowsAbout" : [ "ESG Reporting", "CSRD Compliance", "Climate Risk Analysis", "EURO-CORDEX", "Copernicus Climate Data", "VSME Standard", "Scope 3 Emissions" ], "name" : "Johannes Fiegenbaum", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannesfiegenbaum/" ], "url" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/ueber-mich", "worksFor" : { "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#organization" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "inLanguage" : [ "de-DE", "en-EU" ], "name" : "Fiegenbaum Solutions", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions/#organization" }, "url" : "https://www.fiegenbaum.solutions" } ```