SGS and Diginex form strategic alliance to provide data assurance services as regulators double down on ESG best practice
24 January, 2022, London/Switzerland:
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, and Diginex, an impact technology company, have launched a strategic alliance to provide Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data assurance services.
The announcement comes as ESG regulation continues to tighten around the world, from the EU’s Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, which came into effect in 2021, to the US looking to follow suit with the Securities and Exchange Commission confirming an increased focus on climate-related risks.
The partnership means the companies can now offer ESG Verified Sustainability Reporting Assurance (SRA) services, as well as help customers to meet the demand for transparency. This will have a direct knock-on effect as banks and asset managers will now get unprecedented insight into the quality of their portfolio’s ESG data.
Since 2017, Diginex has been on a mission to introduce products that enable companies of all sizes to collect, collate and share their sustainability credentials, both easily and transparently. The push for transparency has been on the rise across every industry – largely driven by widespread stakeholder pressure.
Recognizing that ESG impact small stakeholders in the corporate and investment sectors, SGS’s ESG services aim to meet the needs of a variety of organizations, whatever their maturity level, industry focus or requirements. SGS ESG Assurance Solutions provide a unique set of competencies that help clients achieve specific targets and goals.
Mark Blick, CEO, Diginex, commented: “We are now entering a new phase of ESG reporting, primarily driven by regulatory pressure. This means that tools, such as DiginexESG that allows businesses to take control of their data and respond to non-financial reporting demands, are becoming an essential part of a business’ toolkit.
“We are delighted to announce this strategic partnership with one of the most trusted and renowned brands in this space. We look forward to working with SGS to enable businesses of all sizes to not just report on their ESG data, but to also have it independently verified, so they can maintain a competitive and lucrative edge.”
Jill Dumain, Global VP, Sustainability Solutions, SGS, added: “Data without verification is a slippery slope, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that are striving to keep on top of the latest regulations.
“We are excited to partner with Diginex to provide our tried-and-tested, independent ESG data assurance services to their customers and help businesses of all sizes access simple technologies and tools to make their sustainability reporting process as efficient and rigorous as possible.”
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Notes to editors:
About Diginex
Diginex is a disruptive impact tech business helping organisations to address the world’s most pressing sustainability issues, utilising the latest blockchain technology to lead change and increase transparency.
Diginex’s frontier-pushing SaaS products are used by both companies and governments to tackle challenges including supply chain management, labour rights, due diligence, and corporate environmental responsibility. Its technology provides businesses who want to do better with the tools that both help them be more responsible, and to realise the commercial benefits of ESG, including greater efficiency, reduced corporate risk, and increased ability to attract and secure investment. By using its technology to understand the impact of their operations, organisations can future proof their business models and accelerate growth, while contributing to a better future.
Founded in 2017, with a global team of over80 technology and impact experts, Diginex is scaling rapidly and is a technology partner to major players around the world including Coca-Cola, Reckitt, the US government and the United Nations. Its products and platforms stand out as a new approach in the consulting-heavy world of sustainability, with a focus on using the latest innovations such as blockchain to collect and validate data and, in the process, make ESG more affordable and accessible for companies of all sizes.
About SGS
SGS is the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. It is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. The company’s 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
A better world
SGS enables a better world by helping businesses everywhere to work efficiently, deliver with quality, and trade with integrity and trust.
A safer world
The company enables a safer world by ensuring that the environment where you work and live is secure and clean, and that the products you use or consume are safe.
A more interconnected world
SGS enables a more interconnected world by helping new technology reach consumers quickly and affordably, ensuring IT and data security, and using AI and IoT to develop smart cities.
