Assurance of ESG initiatives

The ultimate aim for any company should be to obtain a certification of all or parts of your ESG initiatives and your ESG reporting. Depending on your objectives, Speeki may be able to help with certifying you under an ISO standard or supporting your certification with pre-certification support.

Assurance of ESG initiatives

There are a number of options for companies to gain Assurance of their ESG strategy

How to proceed with assurance initiatives very much depends on the framework under which you are seeking assurance or certification and your overall objectives. Speeki is a leader in ESG assurance initiatives and is growing our product suite in this area.

ESG Assurance

Certification under an ISO Standard

Speeki Europe is a certification body for certain management system standards. We can certify your programmes. A good example is anti-bribery and ISO 37001.

ESG Assurance

Assurance with an ISO Guideline

Speeki can also give assurances of certification based on the ISO Guidelines. A good example is Whistleblowing and ISO 37002.

ESG Assurance

Assurance of your ESG reports

Just like your financial reports being audited by an accounting firm, Speeki can audit your ESG reports and give a similar attestation of compliance.

ESG Assurance

Support for your non-Speeki assurance activities

If you are being certified by another group, Speeki can help with internal audits, ESG assessments, readiness assessments and post audit rectification initiatives. An example might be a certification under ISO 27001 but you would like our help for internal audits.

Independent assurance requirements for your ESG reports are coming soon.

The EU's proposed European Corporate Sustainability Directive will require ESG assurance over your ESG reports in the future.  Much like a Financial report being audited, your ESG report will also need to be audited. It is still a little unclear on when, what and by whom, but the direction is already very clear.

Get Ready now.

You might want to start building your reports and to engage with a chosen auditor. The sooner you get moving the sooner you can iron out the issues and secure compliance.

Good risk management.

It is also pretty clear that any evidence of greenwashing or misleading reporting will be acted upon both civilly and, potentially, criminally. You need to make sure that what you say is accurate and independently reviewed.

ISO 37001 Anti-bribery management system certification body - Speeki Europe

If you want to get started on building up your ESG certifications, start with anti-bribery.

Many companies start with gaining a certification of their anti-bribery programme. This is a good idea because most companies have a decent anti-bribery compliance programme that can be easily moved across to the ISO standards. It is also one of the main areas where risks of fines and costs of investigation are significant and justify the investment of a certification.

Pre-Cert
From ESG training, gap analysis, pre-audit and readiness assessments, Speeki can help.
Certification
Speeki Europe can audit and certify according to the ISO standards.

Identify assurance priorities

Assurance is an additional layer on top of your ESG initiatives. Working out how you build assurance into your ESG strategy will be important. Focus on your highest risk priorities.

Select your assurance partner

Working with an ESG assurance partner is a relationship of trust. It takes a long time to build that trust and we recommend starting early. Far better to build on your timeframe than a regulator imposed one.

Low-hanging fruit

There is likely to be some simple easy wins for assurance like a whistleblowing programme or anti-bribery certification. These will build your strength in building programmes and adding an assurance layer.

How-it-works: ESG Assurance guided by Speeki
ESG expert

Pauline Bailly

Pauline is the leader of our Assurance and Certifications business. Focused originally on ISO 37001 anti-bribery certifications, Pauline is now the lead for all assurance solutions across Speeki. She has a details-oriented and practical approach to helping companies prove the value of their ESG efforts to stakeholders through Assurance.

Meet ISO 37001 Expert - Pauline Bailly

Why assurance needs to be factored into your ESG strategy.

Assurance is a layer on top of your ESG strategy. It brings an independent review, audit and (sometimes) certification to your programmes. It adds strength, resilience and trustworthy assessments on your ESG initiatives.

Quite soon, it will be mandatory.

There is a growing push internationally for companies to have reviewed and assured their ESG reports and ESG statements. This follows the practice of financial reporting and adds another layer to ESG reporting. It is certainly a direction and is likely to be mandatory at least in certain areas very soon.

Assurance helps you improve.

Most assurance is done by experts in both the content areas, auditing and assurance. The process of assurance gives a great deal of benefit to highlight gaps, non-conformities and areas to improve. It is often an inexpensive way of driving improvement in a system by receiving feedback and recommendations.

Assurance is valuable.

An independent verification of a system adds value because it is perceived (accurately) as being more reliable, robust and stronger to withstand potential issues. The impact of non-conformities is often managed better from an assured or certified system because the system detects issues earlier and manages rehabilitation.

Assurance through certification proves compliance

Gaining a certification against a recognised standard is the ultimate in compliance. It shows not only compliance but also a willingness to improve and strive for higher levels of achievement.

Assurance reduces risk

The risk of failure is reduced when a system has been reviewed, audited and certified according to a standard by an expert content provider. A reduction in risk means a reduction in costs, remediation and likely fines or litigation. ESG assurance adds a layer to your programme that strengthens it and thereby reduces risk.

Multiyear commitment.

At least when it applies to management system certifications under ISO, there is a three-year cycle of certification.  The mere fact that a company undergoes a certification means they have adapted a management system for a longer duration and are likely committed to levels of improvement over a 'one shot' audit or review.

FAQs

How can Speeki assist in building an ESG-compliant management system using the ISO 37301 standard?

Speeki can support the development of an ESG-compliant management system using ISO 37301 by offering training, gap analysis, pre-audit services, and certification, ensuring effective risk management and compliance while enhancing overall ESG initiatives.

What are the key considerations and challenges when getting ISO 37001 certified, and how can Speeki support companies?

Effective anti-bribery policies, risk assessments, employee training, and continuous monitoring are critical considerations for ISO 37001 certification. Speeki supports companies through gap analysis, readiness assessments, and certification services, ensuring compliance and enhancing anti-bribery initiatives.

Could you provide examples of low-hanging fruit in terms of ESG assurance companies can pursue quick wins, and how does Speeki facilitate this process?

Implementing whistleblower programs and obtaining anti-bribery certification are examples of low-hanging fruit for ESG assurance. Speeki facilitates this by providing gap analysis, training, and certification services, helping companies quickly strengthen their ESG initiatives and compliance posture.

What are the potential implications of the proposed European Corporate Sustainability Directive on ESG reporting and assurance, and how can companies prepare for it with Speeki's support?

The proposed European Corporate Sustainability Directive may mandate independent assurance for ESG reports, increasing compliance requirements. Companies can prepare with Speeki’s support through early engagement for audits, readiness assessments, and developing robust reporting frameworks to ensure compliance.

What role does assurance play in improving ESG initiatives, and how can Speeki's assurance solutions add value to companies' ESG efforts?

Assurance enhances ESG initiatives by providing independent reviews that identify gaps and improve compliance. Speeki's assurance solutions add value through audits, certifications, and tailored support, strengthening companies’ ESG frameworks and enhancing stakeholder trust and accountability.

What are the benefits of obtaining certification for ESG initiatives, and how can Speeki's certification process help companies demonstrate compliance and willingness for improvement? 

Obtaining certification for ESG initiatives enhances credibility, reduces risk, and demonstrates compliance with recognized standards. Speeki's certification process supports companies through comprehensive audits and guidance, showcasing their commitment to continuous improvement and alignment with best practices in ESG.

Still have questions?

Contact us for more information.

Speeki provides a range of assurance solutions around ESG.

Want to know more? Attend one of our Speeki Academy online courses or reach out to a salesperson for a demonstration.
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