Good news for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to get started with CSRD-aligned sustainability reporting but don’t have the time or budget to design a disclosure system from scratch: the Danish Business Authority (Erhvervsstyrelsen) now offers a free, VSME-based reporting template that is updated regularly and already trusted by hundreds of companies. Version 3 of the template was released in February 2025, and Beyond-CSRD has translated it into English and French so that any European SME can download it from our resource centre and start reporting today.
Denmark’s pragmatic answer to SME reporting
Over the last two years, Denmark has taken a very hands-on approach to help its 220 000+ SMEs prepare for incoming ESRS requirements.
- In September 2024 the Danish authorities published an “ESG-template for SMEs” designed around the draft VSME standard and the GHG Protocol, with built-in guidance tabs and automated KPIs .
- The initiative sits on Virksomhedsguiden, the government’s one-stop portal for business support, which hosts a dedicated page where companies can download the template free of charge and read step-by-step instructions.
- The tool quickly gained traction because larger Danish groups began requesting VSME-style data from their suppliers, pulling thousands of smaller firms into the ESRS ecosystem even before they are formally in scope .
Official backing = credibility in the supply chain
Both the Danish Ministry for Business and the Green Business Hubs reference the tool as the starting point for ESG data collection. Large Danish groups already use the same file when they request Scope 3 or social information from subcontractors, making the template a lingua franca in Nordic value chains.
Actively maintained – now at Version 3 (February 2025)
The template is not a “one-and-done” spreadsheet. Erhvervsstyrelsen has committed to quarterly revisions so that SMEs always work with the latest regulatory logic and datapoints.
- The public changelog shows that Version 3 was released on 28 February 2025, incorporating the final EFRAG VSME datapoint list and new guidance on double-materiality thresholds.
- A companion Double Materiality Assessment sheet was updated the same day, providing SMEs with a structured way to score impacts, risks and opportunities in line with ESRS 1 § 103.
What makes the Danish template special?
In short, the spreadsheet removes the two biggest pain points highlighted by EFRAG’s SME workstream – data collection overhead and standard uncertainty
Beyond-CSRD makes it even easier
We know many SMEs outside Denmark struggled with the original Danish interface, so we ran the entire workbook through DeepL and carried out a light in-house check. The result:
- Full English version (.ppt)
- Full French version (.ppt)
Because we’re a small team (and want to keep the translations free), we simply host the files via SwissTransfer. Click the link at the bottom of this article, download the language you need, and you’re ready to go—no login, no paywall.
Transparency note: the translations are machine-generated; if you spot a wording that could mislead users, please let us know so we can improve the next release.
How to get started in three steps
- Download the template in your preferred language from Beyond-CSRD or Virksomhedsguiden.
- Run the double-materiality tab first – this switches on only the relevant disclosure columns.
- Export to PDF once your data are in; Version 3 includes a one-click macro that structures the file exactly as ESRS § 8 requires .
Need extra support? Beyond-CSRD offers micro-workshops and a plug-in that uploads your finished spreadsheet directly into our SaaS CSRD workspace, so you can add policies, targets and assurance notes without re-keying.
Why this matters
Analysts estimate that SMEs supplying larger EU groups will be asked for ESRS-aligned data 12-18 months before they formally report themselves. Using a ready-made, regulator-backed template:
- Saves weeks of design work and at least €5-10 k in consultancy fees.
- Minimises green-washing risk – every field traces back to an official datapoint.
- Positions your company as a credible, low-risk partner in increasingly sustainability-focused value chains.
Download links
- Danish original (Version 3, Feb 2025) – hosted by Virksomhedsguiden
- English DeepL translation (ppt)
- French DeepL translation (ppt)
(Links are valid for 30 days and will be refreshed regularly; bookmark this page for the latest pointers.)
Need a hand?
Beyond-CSRD offers low-cost micro-workshops (one hour, online) to walk you through the process and answer your CSRD/VSME questions. Contact us to learn more.
With Denmark providing the tool and Beyond-CSRD removing the language barrier, there’s never been a simpler way for European SMEs to begin credible, CSRD-aligned sustainability reporting. Grab the file, fill in the basics, and start turning ESG data into business opportunity—today.
