The Sustainability and Compliance Trends Study by iPoint is the world's largest study in this field. Since 2018, we have been tracking how these topics evolve globally, providing insights into corporate responsibility and ethical business practices. Although the 2023 Trend Study is technically last year’s edition, the insights are too relevant not to share.
The sixth edition of the study was conducted in 2023 and brought together insights from 675 experts across 487 companies worldwide. It confirms an increasing corporate focus on sustainability and compliance. To monitor trends over the past six years, we examined:
- The importance of sustainability and compliance for companies worldwide.
- How financial commitments to these topics are evolving and where investments are being made.
Gain valuable insights into sustainability and compliance priorities around the globe: The study reveals exclusive data on how companies worldwide are investing in the future of sustainability and compliance!
Download the latest edition of our Trend Study now for free!
Do you want some insights, before downloading the complete study? Her are our five key findings from the iPoint Sustainability and Compliance Trends Study 2023:
Key Finding 1: Spending Shift Towards Human Resources
While 45% of budgets were directed to compliance and sustainability software in 2022, this has dropped to 40% in 2023 – with 60% now going to human resources. As sustainability becomes more deeply integrated into business strategy, companies are recognizing that expertise matters. Regulations are evolving, expectations are rising – and the need for professionals who can navigate this complexity is growing fast.
Key Finding 2: Sustainability and Compliance Importance Vary by Industry
Sustainability and compliance are not equally prioritized across industries: Sustainability is key in automotive, electronics, and chemicals, while Aerospace and Defense ranks it lowest but leads in compliance (91%). The differences highlight a crucial point: no one-size-fits-all approach will work when it comes to sustainability and compliance strategy. Sector-specific priorities must be understood and addressed.
Key Finding 3: Big Players, Big Responsibility
Large companies are leading the way when it comes to sharing compliance data: 81% of companies share compliance data, with large enterprises doing so most due to stricter regulations. Small businesses share less, often due to a lack of customer requests or regulatory impact. The takeaway? Companies that proactively share data, position themselves as credible and responsible partners in global value chains.
Key Finding 4: Regulatory Burden Rising, Especially for Large Companies
Nearly half of all surveyed companies report an increase in the number of regulations they need to address. For large enterprises, that number jumps to 61%. This rise is driven by new frameworks like the EU’s CSRD and the Digital Markets Act, which bring stricter reporting duties, especially for globally active firms. Compliance is no static requirement, but a moving target. Businesses need agile systems and expert teams to keep up.
Key Finding 5: Rising Customer Requests for Compliance Data
61% of companies report an increase in customer requests for compliance data. Only 5% said those requests have decreased. Customers want to know, whether your products are compliant and how you manage sustainability risks. Companies that can respond quickly and transparently strengthen customer relationships and competitive positioning.
Curious about the other results, regional differences and our experts’ conclusions?
Download the full Trend Study here.
Impact Intelligence becomes Crucial for Success
As businesses increasingly integrate sustainability into their compliance strategies, a new approach is emerging: Impact Intelligence. This concept extends beyond traditional compliance by analyzing the broader social and environmental impacts of business activities. This shift marks a turning point in corporate sustainability, embedding it as a fundamental aspect of compliance and business operations.
As regulations tighten and market expectations evolve, integrating sustainability into compliance frameworks is becoming essential for business resilience, competitive positioning, and contribution to global environmental goals. Impact Intelligence is not just a response to these trends—it is a strategic necessity for businesses aiming to align profitability with positive societal and environmental impact.
We would like to thank the Christian Doppler Laboratory at the University of Graz for their valuable collaboration and support in the analysis and evaluation of our trend survey. Together, we contribute to advancing sustainable strategies and developing practical solutions for businesses.
