Sustainable finance, certified companies have better economic results
On average, turnover doubles after 12 months for companies with accredited certification. This is estimated in a Prometeia-Accredia study
"Until now, the virtue of companies has been accounted for. Now the value must be shown': this is the new sustainability slogan created by Sasja Beslik, one of the gurus in the field. It is not enough to comply with the rules (see under compliance), it is also necessary to show economic value.
The Studio
This is what Prometeia and Accredia demonstrated in their study on the 'Role of accredited certification in sustainable finance': the balance sheets of over 867,000 companies were analysed (balance sheet data to 2024). Of these, 804,253 are non-certified while 63,485 are accredited certified: the 'stamp' is therefore accredited, i.e. based on recognised international standards and independent verification.
"Empirical evidence," the report points out, "indicates a positive relationship between accredited certifications and business performance. Certified companies show on average higher levels both in economic-financial terms and along the ESG dimensions'. For example, it is pointed out, 'the median gross operating margin, expressed as a percentage of the value of production, stands at 12.7 per cent for certified companies against 8.9 per cent for non-certified ones. The differential is consistent and remains stable even considering the different ESG dimensions'.
Esg Certifications
In 2025, the analysts go on to remind us, certifications attributable to the ESG perimeter accounted for "almost all the certifications adopted" by companies. The Governance component is the prevalent one "also due to the centrality of UNI EN ISO 9001 "which continues to represent the most widespread standard among companies (the latter is the international reference standard for quality management systems, ed.).
Well, the Prometeia-Accredia study was able to verify that 'the adoption of ESG certifications in companies already certified UNI EN ISO 9001 is associated with an increase in turnover already visible in the year of certification, with effects that tend to consolidate in subsequent periods'.
