CSRD Reporting Ireland: Guide for Irish SMEs

Introduction

Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly hearing about the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Though it may sound like a policy for large corporations, CSRD affects Irish businesses of all sizes through supply chains, finance, and procurement requirements.

This guide explains what the CSRD means for Irish SMEs, when it applies, and how smaller, non-listed companies can prepare using the Voluntary Standard for SMEs (VSME) developed by EFRAG. Whether you’re supplying to a large multinational or planning for future growth, understanding your sustainability reporting obligations now will save time and cost later.

Ireland’s business environment, dominated by SMEs and global supply chains, makes early preparation especially valuable. Local banks, investors, and corporate clients are already asking for sustainability data to meet their own CSRD disclosure duties.

What is the CSRD?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2464) is an EU law requiring companies to report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impacts with the same rigour as financial reporting. It replaces the older Non-Financial Reporting Directive and aims to create transparency and comparability across Europe.

Large companies and listed SMEs are directly in scope, but non-listed Irish SMEs are indirectly affected because larger companies must disclose sustainability data across their value chains—which includes suppliers, subcontractors, and partners.

For small Irish companies, this means that even if you don’t report formally under CSRD, your customers may request sustainability data aligned with the VSME Standard.

Which Irish Companies Must Report?

CSRD applies in stages between 2024 and 2029:

Most Irish SMEs fall below these thresholds. However, if you supply to a large company (for example, a multinational in pharma, food, or construction), you may be asked for data on energy, emissions, and workforce metrics.

That’s where the VSME Standard comes in: a voluntary, simplified framework designed to help small businesses meet information requests without full CSRD complexity.

How Irish SMEs Can Use the VSME Standard

The VSME Standard (2024) is published by EFRAG for non-listed micro, small, and medium undertakings. It helps SMEs report sustainability information relevant to their clients, banks, or investors.

Step 1: Choose Your Reporting Module

• Basic Module – Minimum recommended disclosures (energy, water, workforce, anti-bribery).
• Comprehensive Module – Adds extra datapoints for businesses working closely with financial institutions or large clients.

Step 2: Gather Simple Metrics

Start with easily available data such as:

• Energy bills for MWh consumption and Scope 1–2 emissions.
• Waste invoices for recycling and landfill totals.
• Payroll data for gender pay gap and training hours.
• HR or safety records for accident rates.

Step 3: Align with Clients’ Needs

Irish SMEs can use VSME templates to respond to sustainability questionnaires from large buyers. This shows readiness and may strengthen your position in tenders or bank applications.

Tip: If your clients mention ESRS or Scope 3 emissions, these relate to how your data feeds into their own reports. The VSME format is compatible with ESRS data needs.

Ireland’s Local Context

Ireland’s sustainability landscape supports CSRD alignment through several initiatives:

• Sustainable Finance Ireland promotes ESG reporting awareness.
• Enterprise Ireland offers green transition funding and advisory services.
• SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) provides grants for energy efficiency tracking—useful for CSRD data.
• The Companies Registration Office (CRO) is expected to integrate sustainability reporting into annual filings by 2026–2027.

While Irish law mirrors EU CSRD implementation, guidance for SMEs remains voluntary. Using the VSME Standard now prepares your company for future regulation and market expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does CSRD take effect in Ireland?

CSRD took effect across the EU on 5 January 2023. Ireland transposed it into national law in 2024. Large Irish companies begin reporting in 2025 for FY2024, while listed SMEs start in 2027. Non-listed SMEs are encouraged to follow the VSME Standard voluntarily to meet supply-chain data requests.

See full CSRD timeline →

Are there local Irish resources for sustainability reporting?

Yes. The SEAI, Enterprise Ireland, and Sustainable Finance Ireland provide sector guides, funding options, and training. These align with EU sustainability data requirements and help SMEs start with practical steps.

Do Irish SMEs report in English or Irish?

Reports can be in English. The CSRD and VSME Standards are EU frameworks, and English is the working reporting language in Ireland. You may include bilingual elements for local stakeholders if preferred.

What Irish regulations interact with CSRD?

Ireland’s Companies (Accounting) Act 2017 governs annual financial statements, and new amendments integrate CSRD sustainability disclosures. Environmental rules under the EPA Act and Climate Action Plan 2024 also link with CSRD topics such as emissions and energy use.

Key Terms

• CSRD – Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, EU law requiring sustainability disclosures.
• VSME – Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs by EFRAG.
• ESRS – European Sustainability Reporting Standards under CSRD.
• Scope 1–3 Emissions – Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions categories.
• SEAI – Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, national energy agency supporting reporting readiness.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Irish SMEs may not be legally required to report under CSRD today, but expectations are rising fast. Using the VSME Standard now helps you respond confidently to client and investor requests, improve your sustainability performance, and prepare for future regulation.

Start with our guide to understanding CSRD reporting and learn about choosing between VSME Basic and Comprehensive modules.