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ESG Benchmark

Benchmark Framework

A credible framework, built on globally recognised standards.

The ESG Benchmark framework is built on the three pillars of ESG — Environment, Social and Governance — underpinned by the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, relevant local legislation, and internationally recognised best practice. Bringing these together gives you a consistent, objective scoring model — so your certification means something, wherever your stakeholders are looking from.

The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact are:

Human Rights
Human Rights

Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labour
Labour

Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment
Environment

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption
Anti-Corruption

Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.

A rigorous process, made simple.

Your assessment combines an online data collection system — where you respond to a detailed question set and upload supporting evidence — with an independent assessor audit and interviews across your organisation, including your leadership team and a random sample of staff.

Your carbon footprint is calculated as part of the process. Our assessment has been validated by Green Futures Solutions, powered by the University of Exeter – so you can trust the rigour behind every result.

Assessment Process

Post-Assessment

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  1. Assessment Date Agreed
  2. Organisation, Environment, Social, Governance & Carbon Footprint sections
  3. The assessor interviews key ESG participant, interviews random staff from each location and conducts a virtual site inspection when required
  4. 28 days to resubmit
  5. Six month implementation deadline & 50% application discount
  6. Surveillance audit in 12 months followed by full audit in 24 months

FAQs

There is no mandatory ESG reporting for UK SMEs with a turnover below £10.2m.

However, if SMEs are providing services or products to larger or listed companies, these entities may have prescribed reporting requirements and therefore, SMEs may, as suppliers, be asked to report to these clients.

If an SME has a turnover above £10.2m then it is classed as a medium sized company and under the Companies Act 2006, it must detail environment and climate risks in its Directors Report of the Financial Statements and how these may impact the business.

Adopting a voluntary reporting approach in relation to ESG has been proven to increase the value of the business, attract staff and customers.

ESG encapsulates some of the core elements needed to run a successful business; encouraging positive people management, best practice, good governance and policies which respect the natural environment. If you already implement positive ESG practices into your business, it is worth considering evidencing this to stakeholders.

The Benchmark is underpinned by a structured framework which brings together numerous
international codes of conduct, best practice, globally accepted models and relevant legislation as detailed below:

UN Global Compact, United Nations Global Compact, 2021 UK Climate Change Act (2008), The UK Parliament, 2008 Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), The Financial Stability Board, 2017 Paris Agreement (2015), UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), 2015 UK Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Regulations 2018 The Environment Act 2021 (UK), UK Parliament, 2021 EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), European Commission, 2015 EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, European Commission, 2020 Renewable Energy Directive (EU), European Commission, 2023 Climate Change Levy (UK), HM Revenue & Customs, 2024 Modern Slavery Act 2015 (UK), Home Office, 2015 Water Resources Act 1991 (UK), UK Parliament, 1991 EU Water Framework Directive, European Commission, 2000 Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), SBTi, 2017 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (UK), The UK Parliament, 1974 Equality Act 2010 (UK), The UK Parliament, 2010 Gender Pay Gap Reporting Regulations (UK), Government Equalities Office, 2024 The Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations 2004 (UK), The UK Parliament, 2004 The Charities Act 2011 (UK), The UK Parliament, 2011 Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 (UK), The UK Parliament, 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code (2018), Cadburry Committee, 2018 The Hampton-Alexander Review (UK) UK Bribery Act 2010, The UK Parliament, 2010 OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Negotiating Conference, 2019 Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (UK), The UK Parliament, 1998 The EU Whistleblower Protection Directive (2019), European Commission, 2019 Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) (EU), European Parliament, 2019 UK Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2013, The UK Parliament, 2013

Four things make our process different:

  1. an objective, structured framework that minimises bias and keeps scoring consistent across every assessment;
  2. independent interviews with leadership and staff that validate the evidence you submit;
  3. academic scrutiny from the University of Exeter’s Green Futures Solutions team, keeping our question set current and robust;
  4. and an annual process designed to save you time and money — with a report and certificate
    you can share with stakeholders whenever you need to.

Supply chain due diligence is vital in order to protect your organisation’s reputational risk in relation to either human rights or environmental factors.

Applying consistent due diligence throughout your value chain can aid protection from these risks and can ensure your suppliers values are aligned with your own.

If the due diligence also happens to capture carbon footprint data, as happens with ESG Benchmark certification, this can assist an organisation determine factors which may impact its scope 3 emissions and ways to address these.

The certification assessment fee includes the following:

  • Access to the data platform and Supply Chain Manager
  • Experienced Assessor’s time to review the evidence submitted
  • In person validation interviews
  • Preparation of a detailed findings report and recommendations
  • Re-assessment of minor non-conformities
  • ESG Benchmark’s advocacy to improve business standards
  • Independent verification and validation of the ESG Benchmark process
  • Assurance that our process reflects the latest legal rules, regulations and best practice.