How do I respond to an ESG reporting request from a key account?
When a major corporate customer requests ESG data, they typically require structured metrics on CO₂ emissions, working conditions, and corporate governance – often in the form of a standardised ESG questionnaire or rating. The VS report is the official EU format designed specifically for these requests: it covers all commonly requested data points and can be shared with the customer as a PDF or direct data export. With ESG Lift, your ESG reporting is completed in just 1–3 hours.
Why do key accounts send ESG inquiries to suppliers?
Large corporations subject to the CSRD must track Scope 3 emissions and social metrics across their entire supply chain. This obliges them to collect ESG data from suppliers to ensure their own sustainability reporting is complete and compliant.
In what format do ESG inquiries from key accounts arrive?
Typical formats for ESG inquiries from major corporate clients:
• EcoVadis questionnaire: Standardised online rating via the EcoVadis platform
• Proprietary supplier questionnaire: PDF or Excel templates containing 20–80 ESG-related questions
• Voluntary Standard (VS) report request: Direct request for a VS-compliant document
• CDP questionnaire: Primarily used by multinational corporations for climate-related disclosures
How do I structure my response to ESG inquiries?
Step 1: Create a VS-compliant report using ESG Lift (takes 1–3 hours)
Step 2: Export the PDF and use it as your standardised response to inquiries
Step 3: Copy relevant data from your VS report into any specific questionnaires
Step 4: Update your report annually to handle subsequent inquiries efficiently
What is the Value Chain Cap?
The Omnibus Package explicitly introduces a "Value Chain Cap": CSRD-obligated companies may only request ESG data from SMEs in their supply chain that aligns with the Voluntary Standard (VS). Consequently, businesses with a VS-compliant sustainability report are shielded from excessive data requests and can satisfy all inquiries with a single, standardised document.
Responding to key account ESG inquiries: how SMEs can address supply chain questionnaires, available reporting formats, and how a sustainability report serves as the standard response.