Sustainability Reporting Verification

In recent years, the attention of the market and the policymakers to the issues of sustainable development has led more and more organisations to implement systems to monitor their social and environmental performance and to report them externally.

While disclosing Sustainability information to stakeholders about Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects it is important to use standards that ensure credibility from the consumers, governments and interested parties in general.

In order to standardise the processes and contents of sustainability reporting, international working groups have developed guidelines for the preparation and of these reports. Among the best known are GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) and AA 1000 (Accountability). GRI is the most widely used guideline for producing these sustainability reports.

Alongside the growing number of organisations producing sustainability reports, there is also an increasing demand for external audits of the reports themselves, by independent third-party auditors. GRI recommends an independent evaluation of the sustainability reports prepared by organisations. The verification of sustainability reports aims to assure stakeholders of the truthfulness of the information reported.

WHY IS IT BENEFICIAL TO VERIFY YOUR SUSTAINBAILITY REPORT?

If an organisation is using GRI standards to disclose their sustainability report, the report verification by an independent third party provides multiple benefits:

• Verifies the accuracy, and comparability of data reported to achieve consistency and alignment with other reporting.
• Verifies that materiality themes and GRI indicators have been comprehensively checked in line with the standard.
• Verifies that the statements made in the sustainability report document are accurate and true.
• Helps organisations identify areas of further improvement in line with GRI principles.
• Improves the reliability of sustainability report as it describes the rationale & contents of assurance.
• Trustworthy information compliments the decision making of independent information users like procurement managers, investors, and consumers.

TÜV SÜD supports organisations with sustainability reporting

TÜV SÜD supports companies as an independent third-party verifier of sustainability reports. Our auditors have the most appropriate skills for the evaluation of your reports.

Verification of reports are carried out based on the material topics identified by the organisations and according to reporting guidelines such as example, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

Regarding the main international verification standards and guidelines for the drafting of sustainability reports, TÜV SÜD has created its verification methodology to ensure the highest level of compliance.

Our sustainability reporting verification services

To initiate the Verification of your Sustainability Reporting TÜV SÜD Team conduct interviews with the organisation to understand the structure of the company, the organisation as well as the processes of data collection.

The verification process is normally conducted and agreed upon with the company in different stages to guarantee the most effective and efficient organisation also while checking the information and data.

The focus on GRI indicators verification is conducted to guarantee the reliability of the information as well the accessibility of information provided in the layout of your Sustainability Report as we understand the importance to provide effective disclosure to reach the interest of your stakeholders.

As a final result of the Verification process, an assurance report is issued and can be integrated with the final version of the Sustainability Report ready to be made publicly available.

For more information about Sustainability Reporting Verification, or to find out how to access this service, please contact us today.