Corporate Social Responsibility

With the rapid growth of the global population and the ever-increasing demands placed on the planet, sustainable development has become one of the greatest challenges of our time. This issue is at the center of discussions among governments, businesses, and society, as our current way of life is not sustainable in the long term. If we do not take action, future generations will bear the consequences of the depletion of natural resources. It is therefore essential to change our mindset and adopt practices that make our communities more sustainable, ensuring a better world for both the present and the future.

The International Standard ISO 37101 defines the requirements and provides guidance for establishing a sustainable development management system within communities. Its goal is to help communities develop a structured framework that contributes to the improvement of their social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The standard offers guidelines to regions, municipalities, and organizations, supporting them in identifying their overarching objectives and defining a local sustainable development strategy that takes into account the interests of all stakeholders. It is applicable to communities of all sizes, strengthening their efforts toward sustainable development and guiding them toward smarter, more resilient, and more efficient infrastructures that contribute to their overall well-being.

Furthermore, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has recently published the International Standard ISO 37109, which outlines guidance and requirements for project developers, decision-makers, and organizations responsible for approving, promoting, funding, planning, designing, procuring, managing, reviewing, and implementing projects or programs. It is intended for those involved in the development of urban and infrastructure projects within a holistic framework of sustainable community development, ensuring that development combines efficiency, resilience, and respect for both the environment and society.

By implementing a sustainable development management system based on the International Standards ISO 37101 and ISO 37109, communities and project developers can achieve the following:

• Build consensus around sustainable development within communities
• Apply a holistic system that considers the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Improve the sustainability, intelligence, and adaptability of strategies, programs, projects, and services under their direct responsibility
• Preserve and protect the environment
• Ensure the rational use of natural resources
• Adopt a systematic approach that includes the participation of all stakeholders
• Increase the effectiveness and attractiveness of development projects within communities
• Gain international recognition

Therefore, certification to ISO 37101 and/or ISO 37109 should be among the top priorities of every community and organization. Certification to ISO 37101 and ISO 37109 is a tool for achieving the goals of communities and organizations undertaking development projects. By obtaining it, you affirm that you possess the expertise and capabilities to contribute to enhancing the sustainability of communities, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future development.

TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD), leveraging its network of experienced and highly qualified auditors, provides Training, Inspection, and Certification services to organizations that design and implement sustainable development projects within communities, based on the International Standards ISO 37101 and ISO 37109.

As an internationally recognized and trusted certification body, TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD) effectively supports you throughout your certification process, offering objective guidance during every stage of the evaluation.

Our PRINCIPLES form the backbone of the services we deliver:

• CLARITY & TRANSPARENCY: We provide comprehensive and straightforward answers throughout the certification process.
• RELIABILITY: We ensure that the process unfolds as planned—without disruptions or last-minute surprises.
• COLLABORATION: We build long-term, trust-based relationships, ensuring your journey toward certification is both successful and constructive.

Impartiality and objectivity are core values for us. As a global leader in certification, we provide services at an international level—our logo standing as a symbol of excellence and continuous progress.

In cases where a company wishes to verify specific chapters of its sustainability report, it must once again submit the written content of its report to TÜV HELLAS, indicating which Material Topics / Chapters it wishes to have verified.

A verification audit of the selected material topics (material topic indicators) follows. Any findings or remarks that arise during this process are communicated to the company’s responsible personnel and are also documented in the official Verification Report.

Upon completion of the procedure, TÜV HELLAS issues a Verification Attestation for the verified level and/or the material topic indicators of the Sustainability Report.

The Inspection and Certification Body TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD) has been officially recognized as a licensed partner by the international organization AccountAbility. This licensing grants TÜV HELLAS the official authority to apply the AA1000AS methodology and seal during the verification of Corporate Sustainability Report data (License Number: 000-209).

TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD) is the first inspection and certification body in Greece to receive this official accreditation, once again highlighting its pioneering role—this time in the verification of performance data in the fields of accountability and sustainability.