Officially recognized: New ZNU Standard for Sustainable Business Practices receives government recognition
In times of rapidly changing conditions, the ZNU Standard from Witten/Herdecke University offers small and medium-sized enterprises a reliable guide for measurably enhancing their future viability.
Sustainability is no longer a niche topic - customers are asking for it, business partners are demanding proof and, last but not least, specialists and managers want an employer who operates in a future-oriented manner. But for small and medium-sized companies in particular, the key question remains: Where do I start? And how do I make my commitment credibly visible?
This is precisely where the ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management comes in. It was developed in close cooperation with practical companies at the ZNU - Centre for Sustainable Leadership at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H). The standard helps companies to integrate sustainability into their day-to-day business not as a paper tiger, but as a genuine learning process - practical, holistic and industry-independent. Around 150 companies are currently certified by TÜV, Dekra & Co. according to the ZNU standard, from family businesses to Bundesliga clubs, from food manufacturers to savings banks. The standard can be used by all organisations that want to become measurably more sustainable and resilient year after year.
"The state recognition by the DAkkS underlines the high quality of the ZNU standard," explains Dr Christian Geßner, together with Dr Axel Kölle, Head of the Centre for Sustainable Leadership. "Companies benefit from a tried and tested system that not only strengthens their future viability, but also prepares them for international requirements independently of political timetables."
Dr Axel Kölle adds: "While deadlines are being discussed at EU level, we are moving forward - pragmatically, effectively and in a solution-oriented manner."
A reliable compass in turbulent times
In a phase in which there is great uncertainty among many SMEs as to exactly which sustainability requirements will impact their business and when, the ZNU standard offers a tool for early detection that preserves entrepreneurial room for manoeuvre and provides clear guidance. Recognised by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS), the academically sound standard now meets the highest international requirements for independence, competence and transparency. This is a strong signal for companies - to customers, suppliers, banks and the public. Those who are certified according to the ZNU standard can demonstrably prove: "We mean business!"
Kesta Ludemann, academic staff member at the ZNU, emphasises this: "The ZNU Standard can be a living tool for anyone who wants to develop further in the area of sustainability! It inspires people and supports companies in assuming active responsibility. I am delighted that many companies are already recognising the added value of our standard and, year after year - now also with the accompanying DAkkS accreditation - are doing business more credibly and sustainably!"
Georg Hoffmann, Sustainability Manager at Ritter Sport, adds: "Thanks to the accreditation, the ZNU Standard is now playing in the Champions League of sustainability standards - with all its practical relevance."
The new version 2026 takes into account, among other things, the current EU regulations for reporting, communication and supply chain diligence and breaks down the multitude of requirements of international frameworks such as ISO 14001 or the UN Sustainable Development Goals for corporate practice in the most user-friendly way possible. The ZNU standard thus offers an integrated system with the aim of ensuring that companies will require fewer specialised audits in future, thereby reducing their bureaucratic workload.
More sustainable year after year - a cycle with added value
What sets the ZNU Standard apart from other approaches: It does not view sustainability as a one-off checklist, but as an ongoing improvement process. At its core is the "Think - Act - Measure - Communicate" cycle. Companies first identify their key sustainability issues - from climate protection and biodiversity to pay equity and human rights to procurement and innovation. Building on smart targets for their material topics, they then implement specific measures, measure progress and communicate the results. The certificate, which is issued on the basis of annual on-site examinations by recognised certification bodies, ultimately confirms that the company is operating more sustainably year after year.
What is special: Every company starts where it is. There are no rigid guidelines, but rather individual development paths. "The standard makes sustainability measurable," confirm the certified companies and say that it has helped them to structure their measures and talk about them in a credible way.
This is also emphasised by Dr Stefan Kauß, Head of Safety and Sustainability at Bitburger Braugruppe GmbH: "The ZNU standard requires and promotes the definition of sustainability targets and the communication of the degree to which targets have been achieved. This means that companies can develop through the ZNU standard."
Invitation to SMEs: join now!
Whether you are a food manufacturer, automotive supplier, freight forwarder, university or sports club: The ZNU Standard is deliberately designed to be practicable for all company sizes and sectors.
Heiko Hünemeyer, Managing Associate at Schaebens, confirms that the ZNU Standard is perfectly applicable in other industries: "Sustainability and innovation are the focus at Schaebens. The ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management provides us with clear structures to further develop our company and our products in a responsible manner."
With DAkkS accreditation, it will also offer a state-recognised foundation in the future, which will also carry weight with banks, public clients and international business partners. Those who invest in sustainability today not only secure their social acceptance, but also their economic future viability.
All information, the free standard documents and contact persons can be found at www.znu-standard.com. If you would like to find out more about the standard and certified companies, we cordially invite you to the 15th Future Conference of the ZNU https://mehrwert-nachhaltigkeit.de/zukunftskonferenz
About the ZNU
The ZNU - Centre for Sustainable Leadership at Witten/Herdecke University is an application-oriented research institute that brings together business and science. It makes sustainability tangible for companies and managers, inspires enthusiasm for the opportunities of sustainable corporate management and promotes sustainable corporate practices through research, teaching and further education - in line with its motto: "driving sustainable change". The ZNU of Witten/Herdecke University is the standard setter of the ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management.
Contact: ZNU - Centre for Sustainable Leadership, Witten/Herdecke University
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten | Tel: +49 (0) 2302 926-545 | znu@uni-wh.de
