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    CSRD Materiality Assessment

    CSRD & DOUBLE MATERIALITY

    At a time when sustainability is increasingly at the core of corporate management, the requirements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are of critical importance. This directive not only introduces expanded reporting obligations but also the concept of double materiality. This concept requires companies to identify and assess both the impact of their business activities on the environment and society, as well as the effects of social and environmental issues on the company itself.

     

    NOTICE:

    For Q1 2025, the EU Commission has announced an "Omnibus Package," which would have far-reaching consequences for the CSRD. The EU Commission’s proposal was published on February 26, 2025. However, its adoption into binding law still requires approval from the European Council and the EU Parliament. Please note that our documents and information are always based on the currently applicable legal framework (as of 02-2025).

    WHY REPORT?

    The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into effect on January 5, 2023. It expands and revises the non-financial reporting requirements previously established under the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), which previously applied only to large publicly traded companies and financial institutions.

    With the CSRD, the scope of reporting has been significantly broadened, covering more companies and increasing the depth and detail of disclosures. The first step in preparing a sustainability report under the CSRD is identifying relevant sustainability topics based on the principle of double materiality—assessing both a company’s impact on the environment and society, as well as how sustainability-related factors affect the company itself.

    WHY START NOW?

    As of 2025, many mid-sized companies are required to report under the CSRD (learn more in our CSRD Whitepaper). Their first sustainability report for the 2025 financial year must be published in 2026.

    While this may seem like ample time, it’s important to note that the first report should include prior-year data for comparison. Companies that have not yet started their double materiality analysis should urgently begin the process now to ensure a well-founded and compliant sustainability report.

    WHAT IS DOUBLE MATERIALITY?  

    A double materiality assessment answers two key questions:

    1. Outside-In: Do global developments have a significant impact on my company?
    2. Inside-Out: Does my company have a significant impact on global developments?

    Each defined sustainability category is assessed for materiality from these two perspectives. The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) provide the theoretical foundation for this approach. If at least one of these questions is answered with "Yes," the category is considered material.

    Materiality has always been a key criterion for the management report, as it ensures that readers gain a realistic picture of a company’s condition, opportunities, and risks—beyond financial metrics like the balance sheet and income statement. The outside-in perspective is a continuation of existing practices, with sustainability categories further expanding and refining the assessment approach.

    The inside-out perspective, however, presents a greater challenge for companies. It requires a deep understanding of impact relationships along the supply chain, including effects that may occur at distant points in the value chain.

     

     

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    Here is the link to our Materiality Analysis Whitepaper.

    DOWNLOAD

    Learn more about our project process and approach here.

    DOWNLOAD

    OUR APPROACH

    As a consulting firm specializing in mid-sized businesses, we offer a pragmatic and proven approach that avoids bureaucracy while creating real business value. Our well-structured 5-phase model is tailored to the specific needs of your company. We support you not only in materiality analysis but also in developing a sustainable corporate strategy, designing effective measures, and establishing a reporting system. With our BECEPTUM approach, we ensure that your sustainability strategy drives business value and enhances your company’s attractiveness as an employer for young talent.

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    01 KICK-OFF WORKSHOP
    01KICK-OFF WORKSHOP
    • Participants: All relevant stakeholders in the company
    • Result: A general understanding of CSRD and materiality analysis is established. Responsibilities in the project have been allocated and the schedule is set.

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    02 PHASE I
    02PHASE I
    • Compilation of relevant information by the specialist departments for each dimension (E, S, G) and initial inside-out/outside-in analysis
    • Result: Interim results of the materiality analysis for each dimension are compiled
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    03 WORKSHOP II
    03WORKSHOP II
    • Participants: Project team and representatives of affected departments
    • Result: Following the presentation of the individual interim results, the materiality criteria are harmonised and a joint evaluation procedure is defined.​
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    04 PHASE II
    04PHASE II
    • Using the materiality thresholds agreed in Workshop II, the departments carry out further materiality analyses where necessary.

    • Result: Harmonised materiality analyses are carried out in every dimension.​
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    05 WORKSHOP III
    05WORKSHOP III
    • Participants: All relevant stakeholders in the company
    • Result: Following the presentation of the results by the project group, the materiality analysis is approved and the next steps with regard to the sustainability report are decided.
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    OUR APPROACH
    OUR APPROACH

    Comprehensive advice and ongoing support during the process.

    FAQ

    What are the challenges of materiality analysis? Challenges can include identifying and involving all relevant stakeholders, collecting and analysing extensive data and constantly adapting to changing environmental conditions and legal requirements.
    What resources are recommended for carrying out a materiality analysis?

    Various tools prove useful when carrying out a materiality analysis: these include the IPCC's climate projections, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and UNEP FI publications, such as the Principles for Responsible Banking. These enable precise analyses and comparability of a company's own sustainability strategy. In addition, consulting firms and specialised software tools make a valuable contribution by supporting and automating the process.
    How often must the materiality analysis be carried out? Companies should regularly review their materiality analysis and adjust it if necessary, for example if new laws are passed, the business model changes or there is a significant change in some other way. The materiality analysis must correctly reflect the company's current sustainability profile by the balance sheet date at the latest.
    How long do the workshops take? The materiality analysis workshops last between half a day and a full day. The final presentation of the results lasts one to two hours.
    How long does the project take? The overall project duration depends heavily on the complexity of the business model, the company structure, the data budget and previous activities in the area of sustainability. Experience shows that the project results are available after 8 to 16 weeks.

    YOUR CONTACT

     

    Julia_2

     

     

     

    "The materiality analysis according to ESRS can be carried out in a streamlined process. For mid-sized companies, we develop tailored and pragmatic approaches."

    Julia Grote – Senior Manager
    Sustainability Expert

    M: julia.grote@beceptum.com 

     

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