When we published our August article, the Voluntary Standard (VS), replacing VSME, was still under scrutiny. The process has now moved forward: the European Parliament did not object, and its procedure concluded on 11 September. Regulation (EU) 2026/1560 was published in the EU's Official Journal on 21 September.
When can companies start using VS?
The regulation enters into force on 24 September 2026, the third day after publication in the Official Journal. In practice, this means companies can use it for their 2026 sustainability reporting: there is no need to wait until 2027.
The value-chain cap has a separate timetable. It applies to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2027. The cap limits the information CSRD reporters can require from smaller business partners for their own mandatory sustainability reporting.
What does this mean for our customers?
We will apply the VS standard to our customers' reporting for financial years ending in Q4 2026. Most changes will not be noticeable, so we expect the transition from VSME to VS to be seamless.
For the main changes to the standard and their implications for your company, see our earlier article, From VSME to the Voluntary Standard: what changes for smaller companies.
Marja Honkaniemi, Selko Insights