The We impact toolbox

The We Impact sustainability management system offers companies and organizations a clear, practice-oriented process for systematically anchoring sustainability. These eight steps help you to implement sustainable management in a targeted and efficient manner. The detailed requirements can be found in the We Impact certification standard (link).

Our experts will support you in this process. Use our toolbox and approach your contact persons directly with the results: individual consultation or together in an impact convoy

Before companies begin implementation, it is crucial to take stock. Where does your company stand in terms of sustainability? What processes, key figures or measures are already in place? A systematic analysis of the various organizational areas helps to identify fields of action and set priorities. For initial orientation, two online checks are available here to help you systematically identify strengths, potentials and open fields of action.

📌 Helpful resources:

💡 We Impact Guide - The We Impact Guide is a practical brochure for organizations, managers and interested parties that makes it easier to get started with the We Impact sustainability management system and guides you through the key steps to implementation(link).

💡 CSR Risk Check - The CSR Risk Check is a free online tool from the Business & Human Rights Helpdesk that supports companies in identifying country- and sector-specific risks along their supply chain in the areas of human rights, the environment and corruption(link). 

  💡 Impact checklist - your implementation status according to ISO 14001, EMAS & We Impact

The Impact Checklist helps you to check your organization's current level of compliance with the requirements of ISO 14001, EMAS and We Impact. The questions are structured according to the respective standards:

✔ Quick self-assessment of your sustainability management
✔ Automatic calculation of requirements already met
✔ Internal guidance - does not replace external auditing

Sustainability should be strategically anchored in corporate management. This step includes the definition of clear goals (e.g. CO₂ reduction, fair supply chains, ESG integration) and the development of a roadmap for implementation.

📌 Helpful resources: 

💡Online industry guides - On the website of the Bavarian Environmental Pact you will find numerous industry guides with environmental tips for your company(link).

The next step is to derive concrete measures from the strategy. What steps need to be taken to achieve the defined sustainability goals? Examples: Increase energy efficiency, optimize sustainable supply chains, improve social standards.

📌 Helpful resources:

💡 A free Excel tool for double materiality analysis, checklists and practical examples of sustainability management can be found on the Umweltpakt Bayern website(link).

In this step, sustainability is integrated into operational processes. This includes anchoring it in management systems, implementing monitoring tools and defining responsibilities.

📌 Helpful resources: 

💡 S ME Compass - The SME Compass is a free online tool that supports small and medium-sized enterprises in systematically and practically implementing human rights and environmental due diligence obligations(link).

💡 EMAS platform - The EMAS platform offers practical information, instructions and support services for the introduction and implementation of an environmental management system according to EMAS - ideal for orientation in the systematic anchoring of ecological measures in the company and We Impact Level 2(link).

A functioning sustainability management system benefits from regular internal audits. These help to measure progress, identify weaknesses and adapt measures.

A sustainability report documents progress and ensures that voluntary or mandatory requirements (e.g. CSRD, VSME) are met. This also enables companies to demonstrate their responsibility to stakeholders.

📌 Helpful resources:

💡 DNK platform - free digital platform for creating your VSME or CSRD sustainability report(link).

💡 Information provided by the Sustainability Code - On the website of the German Sustainability Code you will find a wealth of up-to-date information and assistance relating to the CSRD and the ESRS(link).

Companies that wish to have their sustainability management certified in accordance with We Impact must undergo an independent external audit. This checks whether the requirements of the We Impact certification standard are met. Depending on the level of maturity, certification is awarded at level 1 or level 2:

✔ Level 1 - Key sustainability processes have been established and initial measures implemented.
✔ Level 2 - Sustainability management is deeply integrated into all areas of the company and meets the highest standards.

Following a successful audit, companies receive official certification and are authorized to use the We Impact seal.

Important:
✔ Regular revalidation - The certification is not valid indefinitely. A new external audit must be carried out every 3 or 4 years to ensure long-term compliance with the We Impact standards and continuous improvement.

.📌 Helpful resources: 

💡 Link to the register of We Impact Auditors (level 1) and reviewers 

💡 Link to the overview of the We Impact certification process

💡 Link to all documents and forms for We Impact certification

Once the previous steps have been successfully implemented, companies can be officially registered in EMAS or the We Impact register. This makes their own sustainability performance visible and recognized.

📌 Helpful resources:

💡 Link to the application for We Impact certification