Mission committee or mission officer
Follows the mission internally, reviews actions and produces observations in the mission report.
VERIFICATION
Verification of purpose-driven companies.
Provide an independent conclusion on the implementation of the social and environmental objectives included in the company’s mission.
KEY POINTS
Move from stated commitment to demonstrated commitment.
Verification does not assess the ambition of the mission. It independently examines how the company implements its statutory objectives and the results it can demonstrate. The engagement combines understanding the model, document review, interviews and evidence analysis.
WHY CHOOSE EXPO’STAT?
Why independently verify the mission’s implementation?
Understand applicable requirements, substantiate results and obtain an independent opinion on the implementation of mission objectives.
FRAMEWORK
Meet the requirements
Have the implementation of statutory social and environmental objectives verified under the framework applicable to purpose-driven companies.
EVIDENCE
Substantiate progress
Compare announced actions with committed resources, monitored indicators and results that can actually be supported.
GOVERNANCE
Support informed dialogue
Provide management and the mission committee with documented findings and an understanding of where further evidence is needed.
TRUST
Build credibility
Share a substantiated conclusion prepared by an independent third-party body with stakeholders.
SCOPE OF VERIFICATION
From statutory objectives to observed results.
Each engagement starts with the social and environmental objectives stated in the articles of association. Their wording, implementation and the reporting period determine the work performed.
The mission objectivesFor each statutory objective, identify its operational translation and the indicators used to track it.
Actions and resourcesReview policies, resources and actions implemented in pursuit of each objective.
Results actually achievedAssess outcomes, calculation methods, changes over time and the reliability of reporting information.
Mission oversightConsider the mission committee or officer’s work and the annual mission report.
TWO COMPLEMENTARY ROLESMONITORING ASSURANCE OPINION
The mission committee monitors. The independent third party verifies.
Internal mission oversight and external verification serve different purposes. They complement rather than replace one another.
Independent third-party body
Performs its own procedures: interviews, review of the mission report, testing and examination of evidence.
A distinct reasoned opinion
Describes the procedures and provides an objective-by-objective assessment, separate from the internal report.
VERIFICATION PROCESS
A complete process, from statutory mission to reasoned opinion.
Our approach combines an understanding of the business, an analysis of its objectives and evidence-based checks, including on-site work where appropriate.
01
Define the scope and period
Understand the business, articles of association, purpose and objectives; establish scope, timing and applicable criteria.
02
Understand the objectives
Review operational objectives, action plans, accountabilities and performance indicators for each statutory commitment.
03
Interview the mission stakeholders
Review the mission report and speak with management, relevant teams and the mission committee or officer; consult other stakeholders where necessary.
04
Test results and supporting evidence
Perform data tests, sampling, reconciliation and supporting-document checks, with on-site work where appropriate.
05
Assess objectives and review the work
Consider resources, results and shortcomings, followed by an independent review of the verification file where required.
06
Issue and present the reasoned opinion
Document the procedures and conclusion on fulfilment of statutory objectives and report the findings to the company.
HOW IS PERFORMANCE ASSESSED?
An objective-by-objective review, beyond intentions.
For every statutory objective, the independent verifier compares what was intended, what was implemented and what can be substantiated by the end of the period.
An identifiable objective
The statutory aim connects to understandable operational commitments and the company’s real activities.
Appropriate resources
Actions, decisions, resources and responsibilities are assessed against the objective and business context.
Verifiable results
Indicators and outputs are reconciled with source data, supporting records and findings.
A reasoned conclusion
Outcomes, evidence limitations and unfulfilled objectives are factored into the formal opinion.
BEYOND THE FORMAL REQUIREMENTCLARITY TRACEABILITY TRUST
Independent insight for governance and stakeholders.
The opinion does not replace mission management. It offers an independent, documented assessment of the implementation of statutory objectives.
Distinguish intent from results
Clarify which actions were taken and which results have been demonstrated.
Put evidence into perspective
Understand the basis of the assessment, supporting material and any limitations.
Share an independent conclusion
Provide management, employees and other stakeholders with an evidence-based view of progress.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What you need to know before getting started.
What exactly does the independent third-party body verify?
It examines implementation of the statutory social and environmental objectives over the period concerned, based on resources committed, reported results and available evidence.
Is a specific file required?
Structured preparation greatly facilitates the engagement: objectives, indicators, results, evidence, governance and mission committee report.
Does EXPO’STAT support definition of the mission?
The verification engagement must preserve the independent third-party body’s independence. Any other services must therefore be organised to avoid conflict with the verifier role.
What does the company receive at the end of the verification?
The engagement results in a reasoned opinion on the implementation of statutory objectives. Findings and evidence reviewed are documented as part of the engagement.
Is the verifier’s opinion the same as the mission committee report?
No. The committee or officer monitors implementation internally, while the independent third party conducts its own procedures and issues a separate reasoned opinion.
Are only numerical indicators reviewed?
No. Quantified results are useful, but verification also assesses actions, resources, qualitative evidence and consistency with each statutory objective.
What happens to the reasoned opinion after it is issued?
The most recent opinion accompanies the mission committee report and is published on the company’s website, where it must remain publicly accessible for at least five years under the applicable rules.
LET'S TALK
Prepare your next purpose-driven company verification.
We can define the assignment scope, applicable criteria, timetable and required information with you.
Talk to EXPO’STATVERIFICATION EXAMPLE
Verification processAssessing a mission objective from end to end
For a statutory objective, verification considers commitments, actions taken, selected indicators and supporting documentation. Evidence is assessed in context and informs the independent third party’s reasoned opinion.