New ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management receives official recognition

Sustainability has long since ceased to be a niche topic – customers are asking questions, business partners are demanding evidence, and last but not least, professionals and executives are looking for employers who operate with a future-oriented mindset. However, for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, the central question remains: Where do I start? And how do I make my commitment credibly visible?

This is exactly where the ZNU Standard for Sustainable Management comes in. It was developed in close exchange with practicing companies at the ZNU – Center for Sustainable Corporate Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H). The standard assists companies in integrating sustainability into their daily business – not as a paper tiger, but as a genuine learning process that is practical, holistic, and independent of any specific industry.

Around 150 companies are currently certified according to the ZNU Standard by organizations such as TÜV, Dekra & Co. – ranging from family businesses to Bundesliga clubs, and from food manufacturers to savings banks. The standard is available to all organizations 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, explain Dr. Christian Geßner and Dr. Axel Kölle, directors of the Center for Sustainable Corporate Management. Companies benefit from a proven system that not only strengthens their future viability but also prepares them for international requirements, regardless of political timelines.

Dr. Axel Kölle adds: "While deadlines are being discussed at the EU level, we are moving forward – pragmatically, effectively, and solution-oriented."

A reliable compass in turbulent times

In a phase of great uncertainty for many SMEs regarding which sustainability requirements will affect their business and when, the ZNU Standard offers an early detection tool that preserves entrepreneurial freedom and provides clear orientation. With accreditation by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS), the scientifically sound standard now meets the highest international requirements for independence, competence, and transparency.

For companies, this is a strong signal – to customers, suppliers, banks, and the public. Those certified according to the ZNU Standard can demonstrably prove: We mean business!

This is emphasized by Kesta Ludemann, a research associate at the ZNU: The ZNU Standard can be a living tool for everyone who wants to evolve in the field of sustainability! It inspires people and supports companies in taking lived responsibility. I am pleased that many companies already recognize the added value of our standard and are operating more sustainably and credibly year after year – now also with the accompanying DAkkS accreditation!

Georg Hoffmann, Sustainability Manager at Ritter Sport, adds: "Thanks to the accreditation, the ZNU Standard now plays in the Champions League of sustainability standards – despite all its practicality."

The new 2026 version incorporates current EU regulations for reporting, communication, and supply chain due diligence, and breaks down the multitude of requirements from international frameworks such as ISO 14001 or the UN Sustainable Development Goals into a user-friendly format for business practice. The ZNU Standard thus offers an integrated system with the goal that companies will need fewer specialized audits in the future, thereby reducing their bureaucratic effort.

Year after year more sustainable – a cycle with added value

What sets the ZNU Standard apart from other approaches is that it does not view sustainability as a one-time checklist, but as a continuous improvement process. At its core is the cycle Think – Act – Measure – Communicate. Companies first identify their material sustainability topics – from climate protection and biodiversity to wage justice and human rights, through to procurement and innovation.

Based on smart goals for their key topics, they then implement concrete measures, measure progress, and communicate the results. The certificate, which is issued based on annual on-site audits by recognized certification bodies, finally confirms that the company is operating more sustainably year after year.

The special feature: Every company starts where it stands. There are no rigid requirements, but individual development paths. The standard makes sustainability measurable, confirm the certified companies, stating it has helped them structure their measures and speak about them credibly.

This is also underlined by Dr. Stefan Kauß, Head of Safety and Sustainability at Bitburger Braugruppe GmbH: "The ZNU Standard challenges and encourages the definition of sustainability goals and the communication of achievement levels. This leads to companies being able to develop through the ZNU Standard."

An invitation to SMEs: Get started now!

Whether food manufacturer, automotive supplier, freight forwarder, university, or sports club: The ZNU Standard is intentionally designed to be practical for all company sizes and sectors.

Heiko Hünemeyer, Managing Partner of 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 offers us clear structures to responsibly develop our company and our products.

With the DAkkS accreditation, it will also provide a state-recognized foundation in the future that carries weight with banks, public clients, and international business partners. Anyone who invests in sustainability today secures not only their social acceptance but also their economic future viability.

All information, the free standard documents, and contact persons can be found on our website