Practical customs management for exporters and importers

Date: 3 December
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Terrassa Chamber of Commerce

The growing demand for sustainability information from clients, financial institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders makes it necessary for companies to prepare rigorous reports adapted to their circumstances. In this context, EFRAG’s voluntary European VSME standard (VS in the future) provides a specific framework for SMEs to communicate their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. This practical workshop offers the knowledge, criteria and resources needed to begin preparing a sustainability report in accordance with the VSME standard. During the session, the contents of the standard will be covered, real examples will be shown, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to structure content, write narratives, systematize data and improve process efficiency will be introduced. At the end, each participant will receive a practical guide to begin drafting their own VSME report.

Course information

Objectives

The objective of the workshop is to provide practical knowledge for preparing a sustainability report in accordance with the voluntary European standard currently known as VSME (VS in the future). At the end of the session, participants will be able to: Understand the scope, structure and requirements of the VSME (basic module and comprehensive module). Identify what information, data and policies their company must collect to address each section of the standard. Structure and draft the different sections of the report with the support of a practical guide. Incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) as a support tool to accelerate drafting, systematize data and improve the quality of the report. Take away a preparation guide that will enable them to begin working on the company’s report from that point onward.

Target audience

This workshop is aimed at people with direct or indirect responsibility for the company’s sustainability and non-financial reporting: executives, managers and specialists in sustainability, the environment, quality, CSR or ESG, and management personnel involved in corporate reporting who must communicate sustainability information to clients, financial institutions, public authorities and other stakeholders.

Syllabus

Contextualization of VS/VSME: who, why, when and where. European regulatory framework (CSRD, ESRS) and how the voluntary standard fits within it. Basic module and comprehensive module. Module contents (data points). Use of AI to support preparation: narrative writing, data synthesis, consistency review and improvement of report quality. Best practices and limitations.

Methodology

Theoretical and practical workshop session. Explanations from the instructors about the VSME standard will be combined with exercises applying it directly to the circumstances of each participating company. Practical demonstrations will be given on using artificial intelligence as a support tool in preparing the report (narrative writing, data synthesis and consistency review).

Speakers

Marianella Pereira, Head of Sustainable Business Development, Terrassa Chamber of Commerce

Glòria Monterrubio, Sustainability Project Coordinator, Terrassa Chamber of Commerce

Genís Cortada, Sustainability Specialist, Terrassa Chamber of Commerce