VS Reporting (formerly VSME) Explained
Simple, Affordable ESG Reporting for SMEs
Sustainability reporting doesn’t need to be overwhelming. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Planmark’s VS reporting tool offers a simplified, cost-effective way to report on ESG – without the heavy workload of full CSRD compliance.
What Is VS Reporting?
VS stands for Voluntary Standard. It is the new name of the VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs), the light sustainability reporting standard EFRAG developed for companies that are not required to report under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
In 2026 the European Commission adopted the standard as a delegated regulation and renamed it the Voluntary Standard. Reporting is still voluntary, but VS is now EU law rather than just a recommendation.
Think of VS as your first step toward structured ESG reporting – without needing a full-blown sustainability department.
What Changed from VSME to VS?
- New name: VSME is now VS (Voluntary Standard), intended for all companies outside the scope of the CSRD.
- New legal status: The Commission adopted VS as a delegated regulation on 3 July 2026. It entered into force on 24 September 2026, replacing the 2025 VSME Recommendation (EU) 2025/1710.
- A cap on supplier data requests: For financial years from 2027, a CSRD-reporting company may not require more information for its own reporting from suppliers with up to 1,000 employees than VS contains. Read more in our article The Value Chain Cap: What It Means for VSME Reporters.
- The content stayed the same: The basic and comprehensive modules and their datapoints carried over from VSME almost unchanged. Reports already prepared under VSME remain usable.
Why Start with VS Instead of Full CSRD Reporting?
CSRD reporting is far more extensive and, since the Omnibus reform, only applies to large companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than €450 million in turnover. Most SMEs are outside its scope, and full ESRS reporting would be too complex for their needs. VS solves this by offering:
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A lighter framework aligned with the CSRD’s core ideas
- Faster implementation without needing external consultants
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Lower cost and minimal workload for your team
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No double materiality assessment and no external assurance required
With VS, your company can build internal ESG understanding, show initiative to stakeholders, and answer large customers’ data requests in the format they are now expected to use – all without unnecessary complexity.
How Planmark’s VS Reporting Tool Works
Planmark is ESG data management software. With it, you can create VS, CSRD, or any custom sustainability reports your customers may need. The Planmark VS reporting tool is built to be simple, smart, and scalable. Here’s how it works:
1. Self-Assessment
You’ll begin by answering key questions about your business, operations, and stakeholder expectations. This helps identify your most relevant sustainability themes.
2. AI-Powered Content Support
Planmark’s tool uses AI to generate texts aligned with your input and documentation. This means all the sustainability reporting and documentation you have done until now can be used – you do not need to redo the work.
3. Real-Time Progress Monitoring
Track your progress on a visual dashboard. You’ll see which parts of the report are ready, what’s still in progress, and how your report aligns with the standard.
4. Mix and Match
Planmark enables you to use the VS and ESRS standards side by side, combining the strengths of each to expand and enhance your sustainability data collection.
5. Optional Upgrade to CSRD
If needed, you can later upgrade to full CSRD support using the same data – no need to start from scratch. The ESG data collection and management remain the same – only the report you need changes.
Who Should Use VS Reporting?
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SMEs looking to begin their sustainability journey
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B2B suppliers responding to customers’ ESG requirements
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Suppliers to CSRD companies, who can use VS as the reference point for what customers may ask
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Consultants helping clients with a light ESG strategy
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Industries with growing stakeholder pressure (e.g. construction, manufacturing, tech)
What Makes Planmark’s VS Tool Unique?
- Built-in AI guidance — the system validates your data against the standard.
- CSRD support — whatever sustainability data you collect, you will always be prepared for the next requirements. You will not work twice!
- Fast onboarding — get started within an hour with the easiest and most intuitive tool on the market.
- Transparent pricing — see our pricing page for clear monthly plans.
- Affordable — our monthly prices are very affordable. You will recover your investment within days in time savings.
What Do You Get in Practice?
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A complete VS report structured by ESG themes
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A clear materiality map showing your key focus areas
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An internal and external version of the report
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Real-time team progress overview
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A scalable base for future ESG strategy
VS vs. CSRD: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | VS (formerly VSME) |
CSRD |
| Type | Voluntary |
Mandatory |
| Target Audience | Companies outside the scope of the CSRD |
Large EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and €450 million turnover |
| Complexity | Simplified (basic and comprehensive modules) |
Comprehensive (ESRS framework) |
| Legal Basis | EU delegated regulation; use is voluntary |
EU directive; reporting is mandatory |
| Framework Basis | EFRAG’s VSME |
ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) |
| Use Case | Transparency, ESG communication, answering customer and bank data requests |
Legal compliance, transparency, sustainability impact documentation |
| Planmark Support | Yes |
Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VS standard?
VS (Voluntary Standard) is the EU’s simplified sustainability reporting standard for companies that are not obliged to report under the CSRD. It was previously called VSME (Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs). It enables transparent ESG communication with investors, customers, and other stakeholders.
Is VSME the same as VS?
Yes. VS is the VSME adopted into EU law under a new name. The content and module structure are essentially unchanged.
Who can use the VS standard?
Any company outside the scope of the CSRD that wants to report voluntarily on its sustainability performance – in practice, the vast majority of SMEs.
Is VS officially recognized by the EU?
Yes. The Commission adopted it as a delegated regulation, in force since 24 September 2026. From financial year 2027 it also sets the value chain cap: CSRD companies cannot require more than VS from suppliers with up to 1,000 employees. See our guide to the value chain cap.
Does Planmark support both CSRD and VS reporting?
Yes, Planmark offers a powerful AI-powered platform for both CSRD and VS reporting. The tool adapts to the appropriate framework based on your organization’s size and compliance needs.
What’s the difference between VS and CSRD?
VS is a voluntary and simplified reporting standard for companies outside the CSRD, while the CSRD is a mandatory EU directive that applies to large companies, with far more comprehensive requirements.
Can I use VS data later for CSRD or assurance?
Yes. All data you input can be used as a foundation for full CSRD reporting or external audits.
How much time does it take to complete?
Typical users complete the VS report in 1–2 weeks, depending on the availability of internal data.
Why should SMEs use the VS standard?
It helps SMEs gain credibility, attract sustainability-conscious customers and investors, and answer large customers’ data requests in one consistent format.
When should you start?
If you are already working on sustainability, there is no reason to wait. VS reporting with Planmark is the next step from Excel sheets and documents, so you can spend your valuable time on the sustainability work that really matters in your company. Your documentation and data are always in place – and when your corporate customers ask for sustainability information, you are up to date and in line with the standards and directives.
With the value chain cap applying from financial year 2027, large customers are already starting to request information in VS format. Clients, partners, and employees increasingly expect transparency.
Getting Started with VS Reporting
Book a 15-minute free consultation and demo with our team.
Or request a demo account and start exploring the tool at your own pace.
Planmark makes sustainability reporting simple. 💡
