Sustainability

Sustainability is an integral component of business success.

It encompasses every action aimed at transforming a business into a multiplier of value for all its current and future stakeholders.

Businesses today are called upon to respond to multiple challenges—ranging from the factors and impacts of climate change, to social inequalities and corruption—while simultaneously achieving economic growth and long-term viability.

By adopting ESG criteria—Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G)—businesses integrate these challenges into their strategic vision and corporate culture, driving their sustainability efforts forward.

Indeed, businesses that incorporate ESG criteria gain a competitive edge in the market, as they attract investors seeking long-term value and sustainability.

The implementation of ESG is not limited to large corporations; it is equally vital for small and medium-sized enterprises, as it constitutes a necessity for their long-term survival and success. Businesses that disregard ESG risk isolation from the market and face legal, regulatory, and reputational challenges.

Developing ESG policies and reporting is a clear sign of a business evolving in response to market demands. However, this alone is not enough. It requires investment in resources—and above all, time—to drive cultural change. The phenomena of greenwashing and social washing are not coincidental. They are indicators of the pressing need for ESG adoption—though often handled superficially, carelessly, and in some cases, regrettably, with intent to deceive.

Integrating ESG into a company’s culture means instilling its principles from top management to every employee, across the entire value chain. This is a task that demands strong leadership commitment from the outset.

International management standards (ISO) serve as valuable tools to align businesses with ESG criteria.

ISO standards provide a framework of best practices that enable businesses to set specific targets and processes for sustainability, social responsibility, and governance.

For Environment (E):
Certification to ISO 14001, EMAS, ISO 50001, ISO 14064-1 and -2, and ISO 46001 demonstrates that a company has established procedures and measures its environmental performance in terms of waste management, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions related to its operations and products, as well as water resources.

For Social (S):
Standards such as ISO 45001, ISO 39001, SMETA/SEDEX, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, ISO 30415, and others showcase a company’s commitment to safeguarding health and safety throughout the value chain and enforcing policies on non-discrimination and inclusion.

For Governance (G):
Governance tools include ISO 9001, ISO 37301, ISO 37001, ISO 22301, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701, which ensure risk management, objective setting and achievement, continuous operational improvement, regulatory compliance, anti-bribery practices, business continuity, and data protection (both corporate and personal).

The implementation of these standards—which comprehensively cover the ESG spectrum—constitutes a genuine investment for any organization seeking to embed sustainability and social responsibility into its corporate DNA.

Sustainability is a mindset and mode of action realized through the application of international standards—it is the decision of a business to take responsibility for building a better future.

TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD) stands as a committed partner to businesses in their long-term sustainability strategies, offering services as an independent, accredited Certification, Verification, and Training Body to support them in achieving their broader goals.

Choosing TÜV HELLAS (TÜV NORD)—an internationally recognized, reliable, and impartial partner—builds trust among investors, clients, stakeholders, and society at large.