We Impact
The ideal certifiable management system for sustainable corporate management
We Impact is an integrated sustainability management system developed to support companies that want to systematically integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects into their operational processes.
It offers a structured system for sustainability management whose implementation and sustainability report in accordance with VSME are independently checked and validated as part of the audit by accredited environmental verifiers or accredited auditors.
The We Impact System is a further development of the proven premium system EMASplus. It is based on the European environmental management system EMAS and ISO 14001 and takes into account legal frameworks such as the Supply Chain Sustainability Obligations Act (LkSG) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
Move systematically towards a new future!
Integration of legal and social requirements for future-proof actions
We Impact supports your company not only in meeting regulatory requirements, but also in acting beyond the legal framework. By incorporating employee satisfaction, transparent supplier evaluations and the active consideration of stakeholder interests, We Impact promotes a comprehensive sustainability culture. It enables the identification and prioritization of key issues by means of materiality analysis. This can contribute to risk minimization and cost savings. It also facilitates the verification of compliance requirements in supplier relationships and strengthens reputation, employee loyalty and market access. In short: We Impact is your system for holistic and future-proof corporate management that creates value - for your company, society and the environment.
Credibility and quality - tested and certified
From system to seal
Compliance with legal requirements
Consideration of the CSRD and supply chain act
The We Impact System integrates the management requirements of the CSRD and the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act. It prepares companies for credible sustainability reporting and compliance with human rights due diligence obligations along the value chain. As part of the sustainability audit, all ESG topics are taken into account in accordance with the CSRD reporting standard and a double materiality analysis is carried out.
The sustainability report to be prepared meets at least the requirements of the voluntary reporting standard as defined by the VSME in accordance with the CSRD. Organizations subject to CSRD prepare a report in accordance with CSRD, whereby the topics to be reported on are developed with the help of the We Impact sustainability management system. The We Impact System thus offers your company an excellent basis for CSRD-compliant reporting, in addition to credible sustainability management to improve your sustainability performance.
Shaping the future together
A system with strong roots
We Impact is the result of the research project "Design and development of a sustainability management system in the form of an EMAS+Sustainability module" (2021-2024). We Impact was developed by KATE Umwelt & Entwicklung e.V. together with Arqum GmbH, financed and supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment. The system was developed in dialog with numerous actors and stakeholders. We Impact is based on the European EMAS environmental management system and is a further development of the tried-and-tested EMASplus sustainability management system.
How sustainable is your company?
Take the first step towards sustainable success - in just a few minutes you will receive an assessment of your sustainability performance and specific recommendations for action.
We Impact - the step-by-step approach
We Impact Level 1
The entry level into sustainable management
The entry level (level 1) is aimed at companies that want to take their first steps in systematic sustainability management. It provides a solid foundation for integrating sustainability practices into daily business processes.
With level 1, you introduce the first elements of sustainability management. You determine the status quo, implement risk management to ensure compliance with human rights due diligence obligations, develop a sustainability strategy, define sustainability goals and implement measures. Optionally, you can create a sustainability report. An independent impact auditor then checks the effectiveness of your sustainability management system. If all requirements are met, you are entitled to use the We Impact Seal Level 1.
We Impact Level 2
A comprehensive sustainability management system with
EMAS validation
At the heart of We Impact is Level 2, which maps the entire We Impact sustainability management system and integrates all the requirements of the European environmental management system EMAS.
Level 2 extends the requirements of level 1 to a comprehensive and demanding sustainability management system. It requires validation in accordance with EMAS and includes, among other things, a double materiality analysis, comprehensive risk management of human rights due diligence obligations, the collection of CSRD-relevant sustainability data and a mandatory sustainability report in accordance with the VSME (Voluntary SME Standard). Compliance with all requirements and the accuracy of the sustainability report is verified in an on-site audit by impact assessors. These are state-accredited environmental verifiers with We Impact additional qualifications. This ensures the high quality and credibility of the system. Companies that meet all the requirements of the We Impact system are entitled to use the We Impact Level 2 seal.
Overview of the level system
Companies can start with level 1 or directly with level 2 - depending on their individual starting situation and ambitions.
Level 1 - Basic sustainability management
Entry into systematic sustainability management with certification
Basic requirements
- Inventory and employee survey
- ESG criteria and initial materiality assessment
- Risk assessment and supply chain risks
- Sustainability strategy, action plan and employee participation
- Establishment of simple management structures
- Sustainability report according to VSME (optional)
Examination
Online audit by approved impact auditors with interviews and document review
Certification level
Basic seal
Introduction horizon
Level 2 - Premium Sustainability Management & Report
Integrated sustainability management with EMAS and sustainability report
Structure requirements
- Further development of inventory + double materiality (CSRD)
- Data collection and indicators (ESG topics)
- Independently audited risk management for the supply chain
- Environmental compliance
- Integrated management system & improvement program
- Validated sustainability report (VSME/ CSRD) with environmental statement (EMAS)
Examination
On-site audit and validation of the sustainability report by state-accredited environmental verifiers (EMAS) with We Impact additional qualification (impact verifiers)
Certification level
Introduction horizon
8 steps to reaching the We Impact seal
For a sustainable economy
The path to the We Impact seal can be broken down into 8 steps, from the inventory analysis to entry in the We Impact Register. Find out more about the individual steps in the overview.
Extended sustainability audit (Annex A or extension of the environmental audit (EMAS) incl. with stakeholder dialog and double materiality analysis)
Proof of certification and entry in the public We Impact register (and EMAS register if applicable)
Review of the management and sustainability report by impact verifiers (environmental verifiers with additional impact qualification)
Strategic ESG objectives as well as preventive and remedial measures based on the impact inventory analysis and the mission statement.
VSME sustainability report with ESG data based on the topics identified as material and with an integrated environmental statement.
Expanded management structures and control of core topics (including employees, working conditions and human rights in the supply chain, product and market)
Internal review of the sustainability management system (internal audit)
1. impact stock analysis
Impact inventory analysis with stakeholder dialog and materiality analysis
2. mission statement
Common mission statement and agreement on sustainability principles
3. improvement program
Improvement programStrategic objectives as well as preventive and remedial measures based on the impact inventory analysis and the mission statement
4. management structures
Management structures and standards and control of indicators and improvements
5. internal review
Internal review of the management system (internal audit)
6. sustainability report
7. external audit
Review of management and sustainability report by impact auditors
8 We Impact and EMAS register
Proof of certification and entry in the public We Impact and EMAS register
The steps in detail
The path to the We Impact seal can be outlined in 8 steps and begins with the status quo analysis. Its aim is to assess the status quo of the company with regard to sustainability criteria - for example, by recording consumption, interviewing relevant stakeholders and identifying the key sustainability aspects for the company.
In the second step, the company develops a sustainability strategy based on the results of the status quo analysis, draws up a mission statement and defines binding sustainability principles.
Credible sustainability management is not static, but requires the willingness and desire to continuously improve sustainability performance. For this reason, the company sets itself strategic goals in the third step and develops a catalog of preventive and corrective measures.
The objectives and measures are implemented in the next and 4th step. For example, the necessary management structures must be created, responsibilities and schedules defined and the fulfillment of indicators controlled and monitored. Successful sustainability management only unfolds its potential if it is put into practice within the company.
Once the company has reached the point where all the requirements of the We Impact System are met, the fifth step is the internal review of the management system. In step 6, the sustainability report is prepared. In step 7, the management system and sustainability report are audited by an external auditor. If the audit is successful, the company receives proof of certification, is entered in the public We Impact Register and is entitled to use the We Impact seal. The certification is valid for 3 years, after which recertification is required.
The exact requirements of the We Impact management system can be found in the We Impact certification standard.
Want to know more?
In our toolbox you will find further checklists, our impact check and links to freely available online sources