Successful CSRD implementation with Hays

Successful CSRD
implementation with Hays

We support you from the materiality analysis through to legally compliant CSRD implementation in accordance with ESRS.

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Get CSRD-ready with Hays
We support you from the materiality analysis to the preparation of a sustainability report according to ESRS.

CSRD Definition and overview

The Corporate Sustainability Report Directive (CSRD) is an EU-wide regulation that obliges companies to provide comprehensive sustainability reporting and thus creates standardization in Europe.
As a further development of the previously applicable Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), the CSRD aims to increase transparency and create comparability in investment decisions in order to channel capital into more sustainable business models. The new directive is far more comprehensive and affects an estimated 15,000 companies in Germany.
The CSRD has been in force since January 2023 and is expected to be transposed into national law this year. The content of the sustainability report to be prepared is specified by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

In order to check whether companies are carrying out sustainability reporting correctly and implementing the new requirements successfully, the reports must be audited externally - as a mandatory part of the management report.

Who is affected by the CSRD reporting obligation and from when?

The CSRD reporting obligation is currently being rolled out in stages in the EU and is primarily based on the size and turnover of companies. The directive affects an estimated 50,000 companies in the EU, including around 15,000 in Germany.
The following companies are subject to CSRD:
Companies of public interest
Companies of public interest have been affected since January 2024 that have more than 500 employees.
Large corporations
From the 2025 financial year, all large corporations and comparable commercial partnerships will be affected by CSRD. Companies are deemed to be large corporations if they fulfill at least two of the following three criteria
  • Balance sheet total of at least € 25 million
  • Net sales of at least € 50 million
  • An average of at least 250 employees during the financial year
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Capital market-oriented SMEs must report from the 2026 financial year, although there are options to extend the deadline until 2028.

On 26 February 2025, the European Commission published a proposal for the Omnibus Regulation1. The regulation is intended to reduce the bureaucratic burden on companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The planned changes relate in particular to the CSRD, CSDDD, the EU Taxonomy Regulation and other sustainability-related directives. The proposed regulation is currently being scrutinised by the European Parliament and the European Council. Changes are still possible during this process.

On 26 February 2025, the European Commission published a proposal for the Omnibus Regulation1. The regulation is intended to reduce the bureaucratic burden on companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The planned changes relate in particular to the CSRD, CSDDD, the EU Taxonomy Regulation and other sustainability-related directives. The proposed regulation is currently being scrutinised by the European Parliament and the European Council. Changes are still possible during this process.

Why do I need to prepare my company for CSRD now?

The effort involved in collecting the necessary data should not be underestimated. Companies should start preparing as soon as possible in order to meet the deadlines. In total, the ESRS include 140 specific sustainability indicators and 1,178 potential data points in the areas of environment, social and governance (ESG).

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Contents of a sustainability report according to CSRD

The contents of the sustainability report are regulated by the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). They ensure the standardization of reports throughout the European Union. These 12 standards were drawn up by the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) and adopted by the European Commission. They are divided into the topics “General”, “Environment”, “Social” and “Governance”.

What is double materiality according to the CSRD?

One of the most important new features of the Corporate Sustainability Report Directive is the introduction of double materiality. This means that sustainable action is always viewed from two perspectives: On the one hand, it is about the impact of corporate decisions on the environment and sustainability (inside-out) and, on the other hand, about the impact of sustainability issues on the economic situation of the company (outside-in).

An ESG topic is considered reportable if it is classified as material from at least one of these perspectives. The analysis is carried out in close consultation with stakeholders and takes into account both short and long-term effects.

Taxonomy in CSRD - What is it?

As a mandatory component of the CSRD, the EU taxonomy is a classification system that assesses economic activities in terms of their environmental sustainability in order to promote investment in sustainable projects. Companies must disclose the extent to which their turnover, investment and operating expenditure contribute to six defined environmental goals, such as climate protection, the circular economy or biodiversity. This requires a comprehensive analysis of key financial figures according to extensive evaluation criteria.
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How can we assist you with all aspects of CSRD?

  1. 1  

    2. 1. Double materiality analysis

    Performance of the mandatory double materiality analysis to analyze the material sustainability issues on the basis of sustainability risks, opportunities and impacts of and on the company.

    Your benefit
    You receive a comprehensive risk analysis and prioritization of your most important sustainability topics and can simultaneously exclude non-material topics. This reduces your reporting effort and fulfills the CSRD requirement
  2. 2  

    3. 2. Gap analysis and compliance check

    Identification of gaps between your current ESG practices and ESRS requirements and creation of a roadmap to close these gaps.

    Your benefits
    You quickly identify weaknesses and minimize compliance costs through targeted measures.
  3. 3  

    4. 3. Strategy consulting and implementation

    Development and implementation of a sustainability strategy to fulfill the ESRS requirements with regard to governance, objectives, measures, guidelines as well as opportunity and risk management in relation to the key sustainability issues.

    Your benefit
    Your strategy becomes ESRS-compliant, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, improving your risk management and identifying potential business opportunities.
  4. 4  

    5. 4. Data management and reporting

    Implementation of systems to collect, analyse and report ESG data in accordance with ESRS requirements.

    Your benefit
    They increase efficiency through automated data management and improve data quality and reporting.

Our experienced team supports you in implementing the CSRD

  • Green Business
  • Corporate Sustainability
  • Centre region
  • Region South
  • Eastern Germany region
  • Region North
Paul Endres
Head of Channel Green Business
Central contact person for Green Business
Benjamin Seibel
Senior Head of Department, Sociologist
Contact for Corporate Sustainability
Franziska Josefine Göbel
Key Account Manager
Contact person for companies in the centre region
Linda Biederstedt
Key Account Manager
Contact person for companies in the southern region
Julian Ruhnke
Key Account Manager
Contact person for companies in the East Germany/Berlin region
Lasse Bergmann
Key Account Manager
Contact person for companies in the North region

Your benefits from our CSRD consulting services

Experience and expertise

Our consultants have extensive experience in the implementation of CSRD and ESRS. With sustainability expertise and proven methods, we help to accelerate implementation.

Pragmatic implementation

We provide you with pragmatic and targeted support by focusing on the essentials during CSRD integration and only implementing what your company really needs. This saves time and resources.

Cost efficiency

By working with qualified freelancers and partner companies, we are more cost-effective than well-known consulting firms without compromising on quality. You get excellent value for money.

Empowerment for independence

We set up your internal reporting systems in such a way that your company can fulfill all requirements independently and without external support in the future.

Everything from a single source

As the #1 recruitment agency for sustainability, we will find exactly the right support for you. Based on a free initial consultation, we work together to identify which support solution is best suited to solving the current challenge - whether it's a one-off CSRD workshop, comprehensive advice or the placement of suitable specialists.

CSRD-consulting:
What happens after your request

Making an appointment
We will contact you to arrange an appointment for a non-binding consultation.
Free initial consultation
In an initial consultation with one of our CSRD experts, we will discuss your sustainability challenges and develop individual solutions. In addition to advice on content, this also includes identifying a suitable solution.
Start of CSRD consulting
We are ready when you are! We can start implementing the consulting service within a few days.

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions about CSRD

What is the CSRD?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is an EU directive that significantly expands the requirements for sustainability reporting by companies. It came into force on January 5, 2023 and aims to improve the transparency and comparability of sustainability information.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is an EU directive that significantly expands the requirements for sustainability reporting by companies. It came into force on January 5, 2023 and aims to improve the transparency and comparability of sustainability information.


What does the CSRD change for companies?

The CSRD introduces new reporting obligations that go far beyond the previous requirements. Companies must disclose detailed information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, taking into account both the company's impact on sustainability issues and the impact of these issues on the company (double materiality). In future, the sustainability indicators must be published in the management report in accordance with defined guidelines (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) and confirmed by an auditor.

The CSRD introduces new reporting obligations that go far beyond the previous requirements. Companies must disclose detailed information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, taking into account both the company's impact on sustainability issues and the impact of these issues on the company (double materiality). In future, the sustainability indicators must be published in the management report in accordance with defined guidelines (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) and confirmed by an auditor.


What must be reported in accordance with the ESRS?

Reporting includes mandatory cross-sectional standards such as general requirements and disclosures (ESRS 1 and ESRS 2). In addition, a double materiality analysis must be carried out to determine which sector-specific topics must be reported on (identification of material topics).

Reporting includes mandatory cross-sectional standards such as general requirements and disclosures (ESRS 1 and ESRS 2). In addition, a double materiality analysis must be carried out to determine which sector-specific topics must be reported on (identification of material topics).


Who is affected by the CSRD and when?

The CSRD reporting obligation is currently being rolled out gradually across the EU and primarily depends on the size and revenue of the company.

The following companies are subject to CSRD:

  • Public Interest Entities

Since January 2024, companies of public interest with more than 500 employees have been affected.

  • Large Corporations

Important: The originally planned extension of the CSRD reporting obligation for the 2025 financial year was officially postponed by two years in spring 2025 due to the so-called “Omnibus Regulation.”
Large corporations and comparable partnerships will therefore only be required to report under CSRD starting with the 2027 financial year. The first reporting will thus take place in 2028 for the year 2027. A company is considered large if it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

  • Balance sheet total of at least €25 million
  • Net revenue of at least €50 million
  • Average of 250 employees during the financial year

Note: It is currently being discussed within the Omnibus procedure whether to raise the threshold to 1,000 employees.

  • Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Capital market-oriented SMEs, including listed small and medium-sized companies, are also affected by the deadline extension. They will now have to publish their CSRD reports for the first time for the 2028 financial year (reporting in 2029). Non-listed SMEs remain exempt from the reporting obligation.

The CSRD reporting obligation is currently being rolled out gradually across the EU and primarily depends on the size and revenue of the company.

The following companies are subject to CSRD:

  • Public Interest Entities

Since January 2024, companies of public interest with more than 500 employees have been affected.

  • Large Corporations

Important: The originally planned extension of the CSRD reporting obligation for the 2025 financial year was officially postponed by two years in spring 2025 due to the so-called “Omnibus Regulation.”
Large corporations and comparable partnerships will therefore only be required to report under CSRD starting with the 2027 financial year. The first reporting will thus take place in 2028 for the year 2027. A company is considered large if it meets at least two of the following three criteria:

  • Balance sheet total of at least €25 million
  • Net revenue of at least €50 million
  • Average of 250 employees during the financial year

Note: It is currently being discussed within the Omnibus procedure whether to raise the threshold to 1,000 employees.

  • Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

Capital market-oriented SMEs, including listed small and medium-sized companies, are also affected by the deadline extension. They will now have to publish their CSRD reports for the first time for the 2028 financial year (reporting in 2029). Non-listed SMEs remain exempt from the reporting obligation.