Practical introduction to the VS reporting standard (formerly VSME)
The CSRD Omnibus Directive, in force since 18 March 2026, has increased the relevance of the voluntary VS standard: from financial year 2027, only companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than €450 million in net turnover are subject to reporting. The VS sustainability report is therefore a valid option not only for SMEs, but also for larger companies that were originally affected by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
In this practice-oriented VS workshop, you will receive a compact introduction to the VS standard, its core requirements and the added value for your company. You will learn how to collect sustainability information efficiently, compare the VS disclosure requirements with the ESRS topics and develop the first steps for your own sustainability report.
- Interactive 3h workshop
- Only for your company
- Incl. certificate of participation
- Interactive 3h workshop
- Only for your company
- Helpful tools and tips
- Incl. certificate of participation
Ordering by invoice is our preferred payment method – alternatively, pay directly & securely via LemonSqueezy.
The voluntary reporting standard was previously called VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs). On 3 July 2026, the EU Commission adopted it as the VS (Voluntary Standard). It has been in force as Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1560 since 24 September 2026 and is open to all companies not subject to mandatory CSRD reporting, no longer just SMEs. In terms of content, the VS builds on the VSME with only minor changes. That's why we use the new name VS on this page. Learn more in our article Final ESRS and VS Standard 2026.
What you get
Participants leave the VS course with concrete know-how, initial results and the appropriate tools to efficiently implement VS reporting in their company or at consulting companies.
- Sound understanding of the VS standard and its application in practice
- Mapping of VS disclosure requirements to the relevant ESRS topics
- First draft of the Materiality Model Canvas as a strategic tool
- Clear roadmap for finalizing the sustainability report in accordance with the VS standard
- Bonus: AI prompts for the creation of the VS report
Agenda of the VS workshop
1. Welcome and objectives of the workshop
2. Sustainability reporting in the context of CSRD
- Overview of the CSRD and ESRS standards
- Significance of the VS: (indirect) obligation vs. voluntariness
- Discussion on the sustainability strategy
3. The VS standard: content and structure
- General requirements
- Deep-dive: Basic module
- Deep-dive: Comprehensive module
4. Materiality Assessment in the VS standard
- Relevance of the double Materiality Assessment (DMA) for the VS
- VS mapping of the disclosure requirements for the ESRS topics
5. Practical implementation and best practices
- Steps for implementing a VS report
- Data sources and tools for support (e.g. VS report template)
- Use of AI to create the VS report
- Challenges and solutions
- Practical examples and lessons learned
6. Conclusion and feedback
- Concluding discussion and Q&A
- Summary of the key learnings
The workshop includes interactive exercises to put the knowledge directly into practice and take the first steps towards your own VS report.
Who it's for and certification
Who is the VS workshop suitable for?
This workshop is aimed at anyone who would like to prepare a VS sustainability report:
- CSRD officers, sustainability managers and other professionals involved in their company's sustainability reporting and strategy
- Consultants and auditors who want to support their clients in preparing a VS-compliant report
Is the price for the workshop per person?
No, the price is for the entire workshop per company, to which you can invite as many people from your company as you like – but 2-5 people are recommended. The workshop is individual for your company and there will be no other external participants.
Will the workshop take place digitally or on site?
The workshop is usually held digitally via MS Teams or other video conferencing platforms. However, we are also happy to come to you on site on request. Travel costs and travel time will be charged additionally.
Certificate of attendance for the VS workshop
Upon completion, all participants receive an official certificate for successful completion of the VS/CSRD training course. The authenticity of the certificate can also be traced and verified by third parties. In addition, a digital badge can be added to your LinkedIn profile with one click to display the knowledge you have acquired.
Send us a quick message at info@csr-tools.com – we will send you an invoice with all payment information.
If you are not satisfied with the workshop, you will get your money back without any hassle within 30 days.
Who leads the VS workshop?
The workshop will be led by Alexander Spahn. He started his career at the auditing and consulting firm Deloitte and has been working intensively on CSRD since 2023. From February to July 2024, he successfully completed further training as a certified Sustainability Reporting Advisor at the EBS University of Business and Law and is considered one of the top CSRD experts.
Find out more about Alex and CSR Tools here.
Customer selection of our VS products
What other VS workshop customers say
Der Austausch war spannend und hat viele interessante Diskussionen angestoßen. Besonders gut gefallen hat uns, wie verständlich und ansprechend die Inhalte aufbereitet waren.
Your VS workshop options
- Interactive 3h workshop
- Only for your company
- Helpful tools and tips
- Incl. certificate of participation
Ordering by invoice is our preferred payment method – alternatively, pay directly & securely via LemonSqueezy.
- Interactive 3h workshop
- Word template of a VS sustainability report
- Helpful tools and links
Ordering by invoice is our preferred payment method – alternatively, pay directly & securely via LemonSqueezy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the price for the workshop per person?
No, the price is for the entire workshop per company, to which you can invite as many people from your company as you like – but 2-5 people are recommended. The workshop is individual for your company and there will be no other external participants.
Will the workshop take place digitally or on site?
The workshop is usually held digitally via MS Teams or other video conferencing platforms. However, we are also happy to come to you on site on request. Travel costs and travel time will be charged additionally.
Do participants receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon completion, all participants receive an official certificate for successful completion of the VS/CSRD training course. The authenticity of the certificate can be traced and verified by third parties, and a digital badge can be added to your LinkedIn profile with one click.
Can I pay by invoice?
Yes. If you prefer payment by invoice, send us a quick message at info@csr-tools.com – we will send you an invoice with all payment information.
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The logical next step: create your sustainability report based on the VS standard – with pre-formulated text modules and a complete list of data points.
Save over 500 hours with more than 850 pre-formulated impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) – perfect for an efficient Materiality Assessment.
Get a compact, practical introduction to the VS standard and take the first steps towards your own report. Prefer payment by invoice? Just email us at info@csr-tools.com.