You’ve probably heard of the non-financial group statement, but did you know how much of a lasting impact it can have on your company? In this blog post, you will learn all about the importance and impact of this declaration on your company. From the risks and aspects of sustainability to the audit and disclosures in the management report – you’ll find all the information you need here. Immerse yourself in the world of the non-financial corporate statement and discover how you can communicate your social and corporate goals on your website and in your corporate statement.

1. Introduction: What is a non-financial corporate statement?

With the increasing focus on sustainability and social responsibility, the non-financial corporate statement is becoming more and more important. But what exactly does this term mean? A non-financial group statement is a tool that companies use to provide information about their social and environmental aspects. It provides information on risks, opportunities and performance in the area of sustainability. Topics such as environmental protection, employee rights, diversity and social commitment are taken into account. The preparation of a transparent and comprehensive non-financial group statement is of great relevance for companies, as it helps to strengthen their image and gain the trust of stakeholders. It also serves as a basis for effective stakeholder communication and enables companies to further develop their sustainability strategy. Non-financial group statements are therefore a central component of a holistic corporate approach to promoting sustainability.

2. Why is the non-financial group statement important for your company?

A transparent and comprehensive non-financial group statement is of great importance for your company. It enables you to communicate relevant information about social and environmental aspects of your company. The non-financial group statement enables you to openly present your sustainability measures and performance and thus strengthen the trust of your stakeholders. By disclosing risks and opportunities, you create transparency and can react to potential challenges at an early stage. In addition, a comprehensive, non-financial Group declaration allows your company to be perceived as a responsible player that actively addresses the impact of its actions. Such a declaration can also have a positive effect on your company’s image, as more and more customers prefer companies that operate sustainably. A well-founded, non-financial Group declaration is therefore an important step towards the sustainable future viability of your company.

3. The advantages of a transparent and comprehensive non-financial group declaration

A transparent and comprehensive non-financial group declaration offers your company numerous advantages. By disclosing relevant information on sustainability, social aspects and risks, you strengthen the trust of your stakeholders. Customers, investors and the public increasingly value companies that are aware of their social responsibility. Such a declaration enables you to communicate your corporate goals in the area of sustainability and reinforce your image as a responsible company.
Furthermore, a comprehensive, non-financial group declaration also fulfills legal requirements. The German Commercial Code (HGB) requires corporations to disclose non-financial information in the management report. The declaration therefore serves as the basis for legally correct reporting.
A transparent, non-financial group statement also enables you to identify potential risks at an early stage and initiate appropriate measures. By regularly reviewing and communicating non-financial information, you can ensure that your company is on the right track and that sustainable management is guaranteed in the long term.

4. How does the non-financial group statement affect your company’s image?

Companies today face the challenge of maintaining their image in terms of sustainability and social responsibility. One way to do this is to produce a non-financial corporate statement. Through this statement, companies can transparently present their efforts and progress with regard to environmental, social and governance aspects. This has a direct impact on the company’s image, as it shows that the company acts responsibly and is committed to sustainable business practices.
A comprehensive, non-financial Group declaration can help to strengthen the trust of stakeholders. Investors, customers and employees are thus informed about the company’s sustainability strategy and performance. This in turn can increase the attractiveness of the company and open up new business opportunities.
A transparent and meaningful, non-financial Group declaration also enables potential investors to make a better risk assessment. They receive detailed information on environmental, social and governance-related risks and can therefore make more informed decisions.
A company’s image is significantly influenced by its non-financial group statement. It is important that companies continuously improve and communicate their sustainability efforts in order to build a positive image. Clear stakeholder communication plays a crucial role in gaining the trust of stakeholders and building long-term partnerships.
Overall, the non-financial corporate statement is an important component for companies that want to operate sustainably. It enables them to strengthen their image, better assess risks and gain the trust of stakeholders. Companies should therefore continuously improve and develop their non-financial disclosures to ensure long-term success.

5. The importance of stakeholder communication in the non-financial group statement

A transparent and comprehensive non-financial group statement is very important for companies to communicate their sustainability efforts. Stakeholder communication must not be neglected. The information contained in the statement should be targeted at the company’s various interest groups. This includes customers, suppliers, employees and investors. Open communication with stakeholders creates trust and strengthens the company’s image as a responsible player in the economy. It also enables stakeholders to actively participate in the sustainability process and provide feedback. By regularly reporting on progress and challenges, companies can improve their credibility and underline their commitment to social and environmental aspects. The non-financial group statement thus becomes an important tool for successful stakeholder communication in the interests of sustainable development.

6. Sustainability as a central component of the non-financial group statement

Sustainability plays a central role in a company’s non-financial group statement. This involves the responsibility to consider economic, ecological and social aspects equally. A transparent and comprehensive group declaration allows the company’s contribution to sustainability to be communicated and its image to be positively influenced. By involving stakeholders, relevant information can be recorded and risks identified. The implementation of an effective corporate statement requires clear measures and the involvement of employees. Their active involvement is crucial to the company’s success in terms of sustainability. Continuous development of the non-financial group statement enables companies to adapt to challenges and promote sustainable business practices in the long term. The non-financial corporate statement is therefore a strong basis for companies to document and credibly communicate their contribution to sustainable development.

7. Measures to implement an effective and meaningful non-financial group statement

The implementation of an effective and meaningful non-financial group statement requires targeted measures. Companies should first collect and analyze all relevant information in order to obtain a comprehensive overview of their non-financial aspects. It is important that the statement is transparent and covers all areas such as environmental, social and governance. It should also be updated regularly to reflect changes in the company or industry. A review of the non-financial information by independent bodies can also strengthen credibility. Communication with stakeholders plays a key role in promoting understanding of the company’s sustainability efforts. Employees should be actively involved in the process, as they can make a significant contribution to the success of the non-financial Group statement. Through continuous development and adaptation, the declaration remains relevant and serves as a solid foundation for sustainable business practices.

8. The contribution of employees to the successful implementation of non-financial group declarations

A company’s non-financial Group statement is an important part of its sustainability strategy. In addition to information on financial aspects, this statement also contains information on environmental, social and employee matters as well as corporate governance. Employees play a decisive role in the implementation of these declarations. They play a key role in collecting and preparing the necessary data and information. They also contribute to the fulfillment of sustainability goals through their daily commitment. Transparent communication and cooperation between the company and employees is therefore essential to ensure an effective, non-financial Group declaration. Employees can help to identify risks, propose measures to improve sustainability performance and strengthen the company’s image. Their contribution is invaluable to the long-term success of sustainable corporate governance.

9. Opportunities to further develop your non-financial group statement

In order to continue to have a sustainable impact on your company, there are various ways to develop your non-financial group statements. One option is to continuously update and expand the information in your statement. In this way, you can ensure that relevant aspects such as environmental impact, social responsibility and ethical business practices are adequately addressed. In addition, you can have your non-financial group statement validated by an independent audit or assessment to strengthen its credibility and gain the trust of your stakeholders. Another option is to make your non-financial group statement available on your company website and report regularly on progress and initiatives in this area. This allows you to create transparency and publicly document your sustainability efforts. Continuous development of your non-financial corporate statements will allow you to meet the challenges of the ever-changing business world while demonstrating your commitment to sustainability.

10. Conclusion: A strong basis for sustainable business practices

The concept of the non-financial group statement provides a solid foundation for sustainable business. By disclosing information on social and environmental aspects, it enables companies to fulfill their responsibility to society. A transparent and comprehensive non-financial statement is of great importance in order to positively influence the company’s image. Risks can be recognized and opportunities identified through communication with stakeholders. Employees play a decisive role in the implementation of a meaningful corporate statement by actively participating in sustainability measures. It is important to continuously develop the non-financial statement in order to meet requirements and expectations. Overall, the non-financial group statement provides a solid basis for companies to operate successfully in the long term and fulfill their social responsibility.

What is the non-financial statement?

The non-financial statement is a report that must be prepared by certain companies to disclose information about non-financial aspects of their business activities. This statement is part of sustainability reporting and serves to give stakeholders an insight into the social, environmental and governance-related activities of a company.
The non-financial statement covers various topics, such as environmental impact, social responsibility, working conditions, human rights and anti-corruption. Companies must state what measures they have taken to promote or improve these aspects. They must also report on their risk management strategies in relation to sustainability issues.
The aim of the non-financial statement is to promote transparency and accountability. It enables stakeholders to better understand the impact of companies on society and the environment. This enables investors and other stakeholders to make informed decisions and support or criticize companies in a targeted manner.
The requirements for the non-financial statement vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some countries, it is a legal requirement for certain companies, while in others it can be prepared voluntarily. Reporting standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Framework provide guidelines for the preparation of a comprehensive non-financial statement.
Overall, the non-financial statement serves to encourage companies to improve their sustainability performance and reduce their impact on society and the environment. It is an important tool for promoting responsible entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Who is obliged to provide non-financial reporting?

Certain companies are obliged to provide non-financial reporting. According to the German law to strengthen non-financial reporting by companies in their management and group management reports (CSR Directive Implementation Act), large capital market-oriented companies as well as large credit institutions and insurance companies must prepare a non-financial report.
Large capital market-oriented companies are those that are either listed on a stock exchange or exceed certain thresholds. These thresholds relate to the number of employees, the balance sheet total or the company’s turnover. The exact criteria are set out in Section 289b (3) of the German Commercial Code (HGB).
The non-financial report includes information on environmental, social and employee matters, human rights and the prevention of corruption and bribery. It should provide an overview of the relevant topics associated with the company’s business and provide information on the concepts, objectives and results applied.
The obligation for non-financial reporting serves to create transparency and comparability with regard to sustainability aspects. This should provide investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders with a better basis for their decisions.
It is important to note that these obligations may vary from country to country. Therefore, companies that operate internationally should also consider the legal requirements of other countries with regard to non-financial reporting.