Terms and conditions of use - VSME medals

Terms and conditions of use - VSME medals

Last update date: 8/10/2025

CONTENTS

  • Article 1: Purpose

  • Article 2: Contact details

  • Article 3: Definitions

  • Article 4: SMT's commitments

  • Article 5: Commitments of the Medalist

  • Article 6: VSME Medal standards

  • Article 7: Rates

  • Article 8: Liability

  • Article 9: Confidentiality

  • Article 10: Applicable law and disputes

  • Article 11: Invalidity

Article 1 - Purpose

The purpose of these conditions is to govern the rules governing the award of a VSME Medal to a Medallist. 

Article 2 - SMT contact details

SMT (Sustainable Management Team)
Rue Américaine 84
1050 Bruxelles
Belgium
VAT : BE0737.611.358
Administrative address : 47, avenue Émile de Béco, 1050 Bruxelles
Website : https://www.vsme-medals.eu

Article 3 - Definitions

  • SMT: organization in charge of managing and awarding VSME medals.

  • ESG actions: documents and actions required to obtain a Medal

  • Year: period of validity of the Medal (1 year) starting before any communication by the Medalist about the Medal.

  • Audit: Official verification of the pre-audit by SMT

  • Partner: SMT-accredited body for documentary control. 

  • Medalist: company wishing to benefit from a VSME medal.

  • Medal: distinction awarded by SMT (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) recognizing the Medalist's level of ESG commitment. 

Article 4 - SMT's commitments

1. Update of the EFRAG Medals framework

The reference system will be updated annually, if necessary, to ensure that Medals comply with changes in the VSME standard. Medalholders will be informed of any such changes at least 6 months before the renewal of their Medal.

2. Updating the Medalist's Medal

SMT may update the Medalist's Medal at the time of payment of the annual fee.

3. Audit

An Audit will be carried out by SMT on the basis of the Pre-audit established by the accredited Partner.

4. Brand Book

As soon as the annual fee has been paid, SMT will send the Medalist a Brand Book for communication purposes.

Article 5 - Commitments of the Medalist

1. Documents to be sent

The Medalist undertakes to send all the evidence requested by the Accredited Partner for the pre-audit. This includes all evidence justifying the Actions implemented by the Medalist. The Medalist accepts that the Partner will forward the evidence to SMT for the Audit.

2. Communication

The Medalist joins in: 

  • In compliance with the Green Claims Directive and SMT's commitment to responsible communication, the Parties agree that any communication relating to the VSME Medals will be strictly limited to internal or professional exchanges, in particular with SMT's employees, suppliers, partners, institutional customers or investors. Any external communication for promotional, advertising or commercial (B2C) purposes is forbidden, on pain of immediate withdrawal of the Medal and the associated right of use.

  • To use only the Medal received and to respect the elements of the Brand Book and to withdraw, on request, any non-compliant communication.

  • No longer communicate in any medium if no longer paying the annual fee. 

  • Medals can be used on the communication media of a company defined by its VAT number. 

  • The Medalist accepts that SMT may place the Medalist's logo on its website.

Article 6 - VSME medal standards

To obtain a Medal, the Medalist must send to the Partner all the proof justifying the implementation of the Actions necessary to obtain the said Medal.

Article 7 - Rates

A price list is provided by SMT. This price list may be revised annually and unilaterally by SMT. In such a case, SMT will inform the Medalist in writing.

Pre-audit costs

Pre-audit fees depend on the medal required. A pre-audit must be carried out for each change of Medal desired. A pre-Audit must be carried out after 2 years, even if the Medalist keeps the same Medal. A pre-Audit is not compulsory if the Actions have been carried out by the accredited Partner who implemented the Actions.

Medal - Days - Cost (€)

Bronze - 0.5 - € 495

Silver - 1 - € 990

Gold - 1,5 - € 1485

Platinum - 2 - € 1980

Annual subscription fee

The annual subscription fee includes audit and communication costs. They depend on the size of the Medalist and must be paid before the Audit. In the event of non-payment of these fees, the Medalist must withdraw from all communication media mentioning the Medals. In the event of non-compliance, the annual subscription fee will be payable.

Size - Number of FTEs Or Sales (€) - Audit and communication costs (€)

VSE - 0-249 or 0 - 75 million - €490/year

SME - 250-999 or 75 - 350 million - 990 €/year

GE - 1000 or 350 - ... millions - 1490 €/year

Payment due date

Pre-audit fees must be paid in full before the pre-audit. 

The annual fee must be paid before the audit and any internal or external communication by the Medalist.

Article 8 - Liability

The Medalist is solely responsible for the way in which he or she communicates about the Medal obtained: this applies both to the use of the Medal and to the visual communication developed.

Article 9 - Confidentiality

SMT, the Partner and the Medalist are bound by a mutual undertaking of confidentiality concerning all information that may come to their knowledge in the context of the present contractual relationship.

This confidentiality undertaking remains valid for the duration of the contract and for a period of five (5) years after its expiry, whatever the cause.

The Medalist, the Partner and SMT expressly acknowledge and agree that :

  • The data, documents and evidence required to obtain or maintain a VSME Medal are forwarded to SMT and, where applicable, to the Approved Partner in charge of documentary verification;

  • SMT and the Partner use this information exclusively for the purposes of evaluating and awarding VSME Medals;

  • No data may be disclosed to unauthorized third parties without the prior consent of the Medalist, unless required by law.

By signing these General Terms and Conditions, the Medalist expressly authorizes SMT and the Partner to access the information required to carry out pre-Audits and Audits related to VSME Medals.

Article 10 - Applicable law and disputes

SMT's general terms and conditions of sale are governed by Belgian law. In the event of any dispute, in particular concerning their validity, interpretation or execution, the competent courts of the judicial district of Brussels shall have sole jurisdiction.

Article 11 - Invalidity

Should one or more clauses of the general conditions of use be declared invalid, this will not affect the legitimacy of the other clauses, which will remain valid.