Initiatives & Standards
With a set of internal standards and processes as well as the implementation of respective measures, we work to achieve our sustainability targets. In doing so, we are guided by internationally recognized standards.
DEKRA supports the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact (UNGC). The UNGC is the world's largest initiative for responsible corporate governance. Based on 10 universal principles, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it pursues the vision of an inclusive and sustainable global economy for the benefit of all people, communities and markets, now and in the future.
- Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
- make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.
- Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
- the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
- the effective abolition of child labour; and
- the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
- Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
- undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
- encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
- Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
Based on our commitment to sustainability, and our support for the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact, we are striving to help achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our business operations have negative and positive impact in terms of sustainable development. We are working towards reducing negative impact whilst strengthening positive impact in adherence to the 17 SDGs.
The SDGs that are most important for us in the first step are highlighted in the current DEKRA Sustainability Magazine. Therein we present the challenges and opportunities that we have identified in connection with sustainable development in the sense of these SDGs.
DEKRA has based its sustainability reporting on the criteria of The Sustainability Code (DNK) since 2016. The Sustainability Code provides a reporting framework that can be used by organizations and companies of all sizes and legal forms. The Sustainability Code was initiated by the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), an advisory body of the German federal government. DEKRA is a mentor to The Sustainability Code, supporting other companies in relation to it. For the 2022 reporting year, the report was formally submitted and audited as a DNK report for the last time in 2023. Instead, in anticipation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the increasing internationalization of reporting, the sustainability report is now formally based on the GRI Standard
| 1. Strategic Analysis and Action 2. Materiality 3. Objectives 4. Depth of the Value-added Chain 5. Responsibility 6. Rules and Processes 7. Control 8. Incentive Schemes 9. Stakeholder Engagement 10. Innovation and Product Management | 11. Usage of Natural Resources 12. Resource Management 13. Climate-relevant Emissions 14. Employment Employee Rights 15. Equal Opportunities 16. Qualifications 17. Human Rights 18. Corporate Citizenship 19. Political Influence 20. Conduct that Complies with the Law and Policy |
In order to take the globally organized group structure into account, DEKRA has decided to also report in accordance with the GRI standard as the leading international standard for sustainability reporting. These respective reports are reviewed and validated externally by GUTcert and continue to include aspects of reporting in accordance with The Sustainability Code (DNK). DEKRA hereby reports material sustainability information in order to inform all stakeholders about DEKRA's sustainability management, standards, processes, objectives and results in accordance with the GRI Standards.
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the independent international organization – headquartered in Amsterdam with regional offices around the world – that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their sustainability impacts.
EcoVadis Platinum Rating
In the EcoVadis sustainability rating, DEKRA is rated "Platinum", the best possible award. This puts DEKRA among the top 1 percent of companies rated. EcoVadis is the leading international standard for sustainability in global value chains and is one of the most important rating schemes for sustainability, with over 150,000 collaborating companies in more than 185 countries.
In 2026, DEKRA SE (Group) was able to increase its score to 93/100 in 2026 and once again received a Platinum award. This marks the fifth consecutive time DEKRA has received the Platinum medal, confirming continuous improvement compared to previous rating results (2020/21: 74 points; 2022: 78 points; 2023: 78 points; 2024/25: 86 points). The rating comprises four assessment categories: environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement.
In 2021, DEKRA has committed itself to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In line with the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement, DEKRA is ambitiously setting an emissions reduction target within two years. The SBTi is a joint initiative of the Carbon Disclosure Project, UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute and WWF, and drives ambitious climate action in business by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets. The initiative is the world's largest and fastest growing coalition of companies taking urgent action towards a "1.5°C future".
In April 2024, the SBTi validated DEKRA's science-based emissions reduction target.
DEKRA commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 46.2% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.*
DEKRA also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel- and energy-related activities, business travel and employee commuting 27.5% within the same timeframe.
*The exact wording can be found on the SBTi website: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/companies-taking-action#dashboard
DEKRA is driving forward its commitment to environmental transparency by disclosing its environmental impact through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global non-profit that runs the world’s leading environmental disclosure platform. With over 20,000 companies disclosing through CDP in 2025, disclosing data on environmental impact is now a business norm.
DEKRA has been reporting to the CDP since 2022 and received a A- score in the so-called leadership level for the CDP questionnaire in the CLIMATE CHANGE category in 2025. This result demonstrates DEKRA's efforts and progress to actively manage its environmental impact.
An exceptional performance was acknowledged for example in the areas of Targets and Verification.
The CDP assessment provides a relevant frame for DEKRA to further progress in its climate ambitions in line with internally recognized standards.
DEKRA has been reporting to the CDP since 2022 and received a A- score in the so-called leadership level for the CDP questionnaire in the CLIMATE CHANGE category in 2025. This result demonstrates DEKRA's efforts and progress to actively manage its environmental impact.
An exceptional performance was acknowledged for example in the areas of Targets and Verification.
The CDP assessment provides a relevant frame for DEKRA to further progress in its climate ambitions in line with internally recognized standards.