ÖNORM S2500:2026 was developed as a revision of ONR 192500:2011; it is based on ISO 26000, ONR 192500, and current developments in the ESG field, and is designed as a management standard compatible with the HS structure of ISO standards.
The standard is voluntary in nature and can be used by all industries and companies of all sizes to establish, maintain, and improve an ESG management system.
ÖNORM S2500 was also developed to provide SMEs in the supply chains of very large companies (subject to reporting requirements) with a management tool that delivers relevant key performance indicators. ÖNORM is not a reporting standard, but it can be combined with the VSME standard.
A 3-year transition period has been agreed upon, but an earlier transition in 2027 is recommended. Effective immediately, new certifications will only be conducted in accordance with ÖNORM S2500.
- Alignment with the Harmonized Structure (HS) of the ISO management system standards—this ensures a high degree of compatibility and integrability.
- PDCA approach
- ÖNORM S2500 includes a clear section on requirements and an appendix with explanatory notes. This makes the ÖNORM more concise, and organizations are less likely to overlook potential requirements in the appendix (unlike ONR 192500).
- The new ÖNORM frequently refers to legal definitions in its terminology. This ensures a high level of compatibility with European and Austrian law in terms of terminology.
- Compatibility with ISO definitions is ensured.
- Developments in the context of ESG have been taken into account.
- The sections on planning and operations are clearly differentiated by the areas of environment, social and governance, and corporate management.
- As an additional service, the appendix offers, among other things, a comprehensive set of possible indicators.
- Establishment, maintenance, and improvement of an ESG management system
- Improvement of sustainability performance in the areas of environment, social issues, and corporate governance
- Promotion of a holistic and integrative approach
- Promotion of legal certainty
- ESG management as the basis for data and information in the supply chain
SMEs and larger companies
- Scope
- Normative References
- Terms
- Context
- Leadership
- Planning
- Support
- Operations
- Performance Evaluation
- Improvement
3 Dimensions
Environment (Climate, Energy, Emissions, Water, Resource Use, Material Safety, Waste, Land Use, Biodiversity)
Social and Societal (Employees—Health, Data Protection…, Supply Chain, Customer Satisfaction, Intellectual Property, Community Engagement…)
Corporate Governance (Payment Practices, Data Security, Fair Competition, Prevention of Corruption and Money Laundering, Whistleblower Protection)
ÖNORM S2500 is not accredited.
SR10 (IQNet Ltd), ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 37301, ISO ISO 14064, ISO 14090
