At our last working group meeting, some of you were already able to catch first glimpses of our new project – but now we’re making it official: We want to develop a new standard – and we want to do it together with you!
With Z.EN – Certified Future Engagement (current working title), we aim to close the gap in our portfolio and respond to your long-standing demand for a more accessible alternative to CSE.
Time and again, we’ve received inquiries from companies that want to take responsibility but either find the CSE hurdles too high or wish for a different approach. At the same time, we see various low-threshold offerings in the market that don’t meet our expectations of credible, well-founded certification. For us, it quickly became clear: We want to take this into our own hands.
Why not simply “CSE-Light”?
This idea has been with us for years – and we’ve discussed it intensively with you. Various considerations were on the table: CSE light, different levels like Bronze, Silver, and Gold, or other gradations of the existing standard.
In the end, however, we consciously decided against it. The reasons:
- Preserving the integrity of the CSE standard
CSE is and remains our “flagship discipline” – a demanding standard for companies that are already well advanced. A “Light” version would have jeopardized this integrity and diluted the standard.
- Contemporary communication without the greenwashing trap
With the new label, we can distance ourselves from the inflationary use of the term “sustainability.” Instead of a word that has already been heavily worn out by greenwashing, we focus on “future engagement” – a clearer, more contemporary approach.
For us, sustainability still means something holistic – and our expectations of a sustainable company are what we demand with CSE. After all, CSE stands for “Certified Sustainable Economics.” Downgrading CSE would mean that one could be “only a little bit sustainable.” That doesn’t fit our understanding. For a lower-threshold label than CSE, the term sustainability simply doesn’t fit.
- Process instead of rigid criteria
The new label recognizes a company’s transformation process, not the fulfillment of rigid criteria. This is intended to honor companies that honestly embark on the journey – even if they haven’t achieved all goals yet.
We pursue a clear vision: Z.EN should gradually guide companies toward CSE. The continuous improvement approach advances them over time so that the leap to our most demanding standard eventually becomes possible. Z.EN thus functions as a bridge to CSE.
- Further development of content
Z.EN enables us to break new ground in terms of content. For example, we want to give stronger consideration to biodiversity aspects than with CSE and respond more flexibly to current challenges.
Regulatory dynamics as an opportunity
The regulatory landscape is currently in strong flux. Laws for responsible business practices are being enacted, revised, or withdrawn again – a process that also affects certification systems. We therefore pay attention to compliance with Z.EN while simultaneously maintaining the principle that certification must go beyond legal minimum requirements.
These regulatory changes offer us a strategic opportunity: Developing a new standard is significantly more flexible than continuously adapting existing systems. Z.EN can therefore consider these dynamics from the beginning and adapt agilely to new developments.
The new standard follows four central guidelines:
- Accessibility: The standard is achievable for every company
- Scientific foundation: The criteria are developed with support from science and experts in various disciplines
- EmpCo conformity: The standard and certification system comply with the regulatory requirements of the EmpCo directive
- Compliance management: There are clear procedures for violations of certification criteria
ESG-based criteria in focus
There is no criteria catalog yet. We want to develop the criteria together with our pilot companies and other project partners – because only this way does a standard emerge that is truly practical.
However, the criteria of Z.EN should be oriented toward the proven ESG dimensions:
E (Environment): Climate balance, CO₂ reduction, biodiversity, water & marine protection
S (Social): Diversity, family-friendliness, sustainable mobility, human rights
G (Governance): Scientific approach, transparency, ethical corporate governance
Collaborative design instead of top-down mandates
This participatory approach is particularly important to us. We don’t develop in an ivory tower, but together with the companies that will later use the label. As pilot companies, you have the unique opportunity to help shape a standard from the ground up.
How the pilot phase works
We’re looking for committed companies that want to help us shape the first certification round together – and we want to get started very soon.
The next dates:
- Q&A Session: September 30, 2025, 2:30 PM, Zoom (non-binding participation)
- Kick-off meeting with all pilot companies: October 21, 2025, 2:30 PM, Zoom
The pilot phase extends over the years 2025 and 2026. Our goal is to be able to certify the first companies according to the new standard as early as the beginning of 2026.
Your advantages as pilot companies
As pilot companies, you help shape the standard from the beginning – and benefit from attractive advantages:
✓ Reduced rates for label usage
✓ Active participation in criteria development
✓ Early positioning as a future-engaged company
✓ Visibility through accompanying public relations work
✓ Exchange of experiences and networking with like-minded companies
✓ Orientation for real progress in the company
Learn more about our new project and how you can be part of it here. If you want to participate, you can of course also contact us directly: info@gfaw.eu
We’re very excited about your feedback, registrations, and expressions of interest. If you don’t want to participate but want to stay informed, please check our blog regularly or subscribe to our newsletter.
