What are "Policies" in the context of VSME?
Short answer: "Policies" refer to a company's internal strategies and guidelines on ESG topics[20].
In the VSME context, the English term "policies" is translated as "Konzepte" (concepts) in the German version. This refers to established strategies, guidelines or programs of the company on environmental, social or governance topics[21]. Examples include recycling strategies, diversity programs or supply chain responsibility guidelines. These policies must be described in the Comprehensive module and show how the company structurally approaches ESG topics[21].
Sources: [20], [21] VSME FAQ: Voluntary sustainability reporting for SMEs I Tanso Blog