Turn ESG challenges into business opportunities

Many SMEs understand the importance of ESG, but often face common challenges:

• Limited resources and manpower to manage ESG reporting

• Uncertainty about what ESG data should be collected

• Customer and supply chain requests for sustainability information

• Increasing ESG-related questions from banks, investors and business partners

• Lack of internal expertise to prepare an ESG report

• Concerns about future ESG requirements and market expectations

ESG is becoming an important consideration in procurement, business partnerships and financing decisions. More customers, financial institutions and supply chain partners are seeking greater transparency on ESG performance from the organizations they work with.

Our ESG Gudiance for SMEs is a practical and cost-effective solution designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) understand, collect and organize ESG information and develop a simple ESG report aligned with key HKEX ESG Reporting requirements.

Who is this service for?

This service is suitable for SMEs that:

• Supply products or services to listed companies or multinational organizations

• Need to respond to customer sustainability questionnaires or supplier assessments

• Seek financing, investment or sustainability-linked funding opportunities

• Plan to participate in government or corporate procurement projects

• Want to establish a structured ESG management approach for future business growth

Why start ESG now?

Starting ESG does not mean creating a lengthy and complicated sustainability report from day one.

A simple and structured ESG approach can help you:

• Meet increasing customer and supply chain expectations

• Demonstrate responsible business practices

• Identify and manage sustainability-related risks

• Improve transparency and stakeholder confidence

• Prepare for future market and regulatory developments

• Create a foundation for future ESG reporting and assurance

What will SGS do?

Our ESG experts will guide your organization to undergo a streamlined ESG reporting process.

Based on the information provided by your organization, we will provide direction to guide you developing an ESG report covering common ESG topics relevant to SMEs, including:

• Emissions

• Use of resources

• Employment

• Occupational health and safety

• Supply chain management

• Product responsibility

• Anti-corruption

Our guidance is designed to reduce complexity and help SMEs take their first step on the ESG journey.

Deliverables

We will provide:

1. Online organization background study

   • Review publicly available information about the organization to understand its business profile and operations.

2. Customized ESG data collection template development guidance

   • Develop a tailored data collection template aligned with relevant HKEX ESG Reporting Code requirements after receiving our ESG expert guidance, covering: emissions, use of resources, employment, occupational health and safety, supply chain management, product responsibility and anti-corruption.

3. Data review and recommendation

   • Review up to two rounds of information submitted by the organization

   • Provide feedback on data quality, completeness and reasonableness

4. ESG report preparation guidance

• • Develop an English ESG report in Microsoft Word format based on our ESG expert shared experiences:

    • Approximately 6 – 10 pages

    • Content length depends on the completeness, applicability and quality of information provided by the organization

    • Report structure according to the selected ESG topics and available data

Benefits of SGS ESG Guidance for SMEs

• Simple and SME-friendly approach

• No prior ESG experience required

• Structured guidance from SGS ESG specialists

• Practical reporting experiences sharing

• Supports customer, supply chain and stakeholder expectations

• Establishes a foundation for future ESG initiatives and sustainability reporting

Service process

Step 1 Checkout and payment : Complete your order and payment through TIC Mall.

Step 2 Kick-off : An SGS Sustainability Project Manager will contact your organization directly via email or other communication channels to initiate the project and explain the reporting process.

Step 3 ESG data collection : Set-up a customized ESG data collection template with SGS ESG expert guidance.

Step 4 Data review : SGS reviews the submitted information and provides feedback. Up to two rounds of data review are included.

Step 5 ESG report preparation guidance : Develop an ESG report based on SGS ESG expert shared experience.

Estimated lead time

The entire project can typically be completed within 8-16 weeks, depending on the timeliness and completeness of information provided by the organization.

Why choose SGS?

We understand that SMEs need practical ESG solutions rather than complicated one. Our ESG Guidance for SMEs service is designed to help organizations start their ESG journey efficiently, with minimal internal resources required.

With SGS as your trusted partner, you can:

• Save time and internal effort

• Gain access to ESG expertise

• Respond to growing customer and supply chain expectations

• Establish a credible ESG foundation

• Demonstrate your commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices

Start your ESG journey today with our solution and build stronger trust with customers, stakeholders and business partners.

Application deadline: 31 August 2026

Remarks: SGS General Conditions and Codes of Practice for Certification Services apply.