National CSRD survey: 70% of companies are well prepared for CSRD

More than two-thirds of CSRD-compliant companies are well prepared for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which went into effect this year. That's according to the National CSRD Survey by MVO Netherlands, MT/Sprout and Change Inc. presented on CSRD Day 2.

Businesses seem to be getting ahead of the government in this regard, which was recently declared in default by the European Commission because there is not yet a bill to implement the CSRD. "So companies are picking up the gauntlet well," says Ankie van Wersch, director-director of CSR Netherlands. "They are taking the lead in ensuring more transparency and better quality of sustainability information."

Administrative burden

Half of the participants are decidedly positive about their long-term expectations for the CSRD for their organization. Yet 73 percent also experience it as an administrative burden. "The purpose of the CSRD is important and necessary, but especially such a first year it is a challenge to collect all the requested data together and report on it properly. For most organizations, most of the data has to come from the supply chain. I do understand that this creates administrative pressure," says Berend-Jan Veldkamp, managing director of MT MediaGroep BV, publisher of MT/Sprout and Change Inc. "At the same time, we notice a lot of uncertainty among organizations. The need for information around CSRD is great."

More focus on SMEs needed

Striking is the fact that 40 percent of SMEs are already working on CSRD. Despite the fact that they are not subject to CSRD, they are already orienting themselves or have even started with implementation. At the same time, 40 percent also say they are poorly or not prepared. "As suppliers to large companies, SMEs have to provide data just as much, but they don't get any help or support," Van Wersch said. "We are therefore calling on large companies and the government to take SMEs along in the implementation. MVO Netherlands is already taking the lead and offering practical tools, knowledge and networking events to help them."

Annual survey

The National CSRD Survey 2024 is an initiative of CSR Netherlands, MT/Sprout and Change Inc. and is repeated annually. This year, 673 business decision makers participated in the survey, from services, industry, construction, trade, chemicals, food and energy. Among this group, 210 participants were CSRD obligated.

Source: Change.Inc