The keys to CSRD compliance: the crucial role of ERP systems

Understanding the CSRD

What is the CSRD?

The CSRD is a European directive designed to strengthen and standardise sustainability reporting for companies operating in Europe, also known as “non-financial reporting”. Replacing the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), it requires companies to provide detailed information on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts, aiming to promote transparency and accountability.

What are the objectives of the CSRD directive?

Currently, the significance of environmental and social issues has increased due to various factors such as environmental degradation, climate change, and heightened social inequalities. Meanwhile, good corporate governance plays a crucial role in how investors and other stakeholders perceive a company.

The CSRD allows for the redefinition of the sustainability report, serving as a showcase for an organisation’s transparency and responsibility regarding ESG issues:

• Environmental impact (biodiversity, climate, circular economy, pollution, water preservation)
• Social impact (employees, value chain partners, consumers, end-users)
• Governance impact (ethical business conduct)

This directive also addresses several objectives related to optimising the sustainability reporting process, which has been relatively unregulated until now:

• Harmonising non-financial reporting across European companies to facilitate comparisons
• Expanding reporting obligations to more companies
• Increasing the availability, accuracy and reliability of ESG data collected through a unified repository
• Enhancing companies' awareness of ESG risks and their environmental impact
  

What does the sustainability reporting required under the CSRD involve?

The non-financial reporting must include a detailed analysis of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) impacts:

• Data on sustainability strategy (goals, policies, commitments, key performance indicators)
  
• Information on ESG risks and opportunities
  
• Data on outcomes and performance
  

The preparation of sustainability reporting also involves alignment with several directives that complement the CSRD:

• Delegated Act: Determines specific reporting standards that companies must follow in implementing the CSRD
  
• ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards): Set of criteria and guidelines, framed by the Delegated Act, detailing how companies should report information
  
• SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) taxonomy: European regulation clarifying the presentation of data related to sustainable finance
  

This report must also take into account the central concept of the CSRD, namely “double materiality”. This approach considers the following perspectives:

• Financial materiality (positive and negative effects of sustainability issues on financial performance)
• Impact materiality (positive and negative effects of company activities on the environment and society)

Once compiled, the sustainability reporting will be published electronically in a dedicated section within the company's management report.

Who is affected by the CSRD?

The CSRD applies to a broad range of companies that meet certain size and performance criteria:

• Large companies subject to the NFRD (in 2025 for the 2024 reporting period)
  
• Additional large listed and unlisted companies (in 2026 for the 2025 reporting period)
  
• Large publicly traded EU companies whose shares are traded on European markets (in 2026 for the 2025 reporting period)
• EU-based conglomerates and non-EU companies listed on a regulated EU market (in 2026 for the 2025 reporting period)
  
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU and non-EU entities listed on regulated EU markets (between 2027 and 2029 for reporting periods from 2026 onwards)
  
• Non-EU companies with large branches or subsidiaries in the EU (in 2029 for the 2028 reporting period)
  

Companies must collect, analyse, and report detailed ESG data to comply with the directive's requirements.

Challenges of CSRD compliance

Data collection and management

ESG data collection poses a significant challenge. Companies must gather accurate and relevant information from various internal and external sources. Effectively managing this data requires tools capable of centralizing and automating its processing, such as an ERP. such as an ERP.

Reporting and transparency

CSRD reporting requires full transparency and accuracy of the information provided. Companies must produce regular and detailed reports, clearly and accessibly accounting for their ESG performance.

Verification and audit

Compliance with the CSRD involves rigorous audits to verify the accuracy of reported data. Companies must ensure that their data collection and reporting processes are robust and auditable to pass compliance audits.

The role of ERP in CSRD compliance

Data centralisation

ERPs enable you to centralise all relevant data within a single system. This centralisation makes it easier to manage and analyse ESG data, ensuring greater consistency and accuracy in your reporting.

Process automation

ERPs ERPs can automate many data collection and reporting processes, thereby reducing human errors and delays. Automation also optimizes your operational performance and enables real-time tracking of ESG indicators.

Tracking and management of sustainability indicators

ERPs provide advanced features for tracking sustainability indicators. Dashboards and automated reports allow your company to continuously monitor its ESG performance and make better decisions to improve its impact.

Steps to integrate CSRD compliance into your ERP

Evaluate your compliance needs

The first step is to assess your company’s compliance needs in relation to the CSRD. This includes identifying the necessary ESG data and evaluating your ERP’s current capabilities to manage these requirements.

Select and customise your ERP

Choosing an ERP Choosing an ERP capable of meeting CSRD requirements is crucial. Your ERP should be customized to include the necessary modules and features for collecting, analyzing, and reporting ESG data.

Training and awareness

It’s essential to train your employees and stakeholders to use ERP tools for CSRD compliance. Targeted training programmes can help maximise efficiency and ensure successful adoption of new reporting practices in your company.

Encourage tracking and continuous improvement

Regular monitoring of ESG performance and reporting processes is crucial for maintaining compliance. You should establish mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement within your company. These processes should draw on practical, experience-based feedback to ensure that your practices remain up-to-date and efficient.

Conclusion

ERP plays an indispensable role in CSRD compliance by facilitating data centralisation, automation, and management of ESG data. By adopting best practices and choosing suitable ERP systems, companies can not only comply with regulatory requirements but also enhance their transparency and accountability in sustainability. This strategic integration is essential for navigating the complex regulatory landscape and building stakeholders' trust in the company's ESG performance. As an expert ERP integrator, Captivea can support you throughout the entire process of implementing and deploying your software.