The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is transforming the way European companies report on sustainability. Where ESG reporting was once mostly voluntary and fragmented, it is now mandatory, detailed, and subject to verification. For organisations with large IT infrastructures, this has direct implications for IT asset management and the way data is securely removed from equipment.

Why the CSRD Impacts IT Assets

The CSRD requires companies to produce complete and transparent reports on their environmental performance, including:

• Energy consumption
  
  
• CO₂ emissions and waste streams
  
  
• Reuse and recycling of materials

IT equipment is directly part of this scope. Servers, laptops, mobile devices, and networking hardware all have a significant environmental footprint, both during production and at the end of their life cycle. Organisations will need to show exactly what happens to retired equipment.

The Role of Data Erasure in CSRD Compliance

Secure data removal is not only a security and compliance requirement (e.g., under GDPR) but also an enabler for reuse. Without reliable data wiping, much hardware is unnecessarily destroyed, even when it is still fit for a second life.

By implementing certified data erasure:

• You reduce e-waste by enabling reuse
  
  
• You lower the environmental impact of IT asset disposal
  
  
• You can provide verifiable figures on reuse and recycling in your CSRD report

Value Chain Responsibility and Collaboration with ITADs

The CSRD also requires companies to look beyond their own internal processes. Partners in the value chain (such as IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) providers) must also be able to substantiate their sustainability claims. Strong collaboration between internal IT, security, compliance teams, and ITAD partners is therefore essential.

"With CSRD raising the bar for transparency and environmental accountability, certified data erasure has become a strategic enabler - not just a compliance checkbox. By using Certus Software, we're able to securely wipe thousands of server drives, laptops, and mobile devices across global projects, while also contributing measurable value to our customers' sustainability goals."

- Stephan Zuderell, CEO of Nesevo

Practical Steps for Businesses

• Map your IT asset lifecycle: from procurement to end-of-life disposal
• Integrate certified data erasure into your decommissioning process
• Appoint and train an internal data erasure specialist: ensure in-house capability for secure, compliant wiping. Or Partner with certified ITAD providers who meet both security and sustainability standards
• Document and retain evidence: certificates, logistics reports, ESG data
• Report in a structured way:  align with CSRD formats and link data erasure figures to ESG targets

How Certus Can Help

At Certus, we make certified data erasure simple, secure, and fully auditable — helping you meet both regulatory and sustainability requirements under the CSRD. Whether you manage IT assets in-house or work with an ITAD partner that erases with Certus Erasure, our solutions ensure compliance, enable reuse, and provide the reporting evidence you need.