Audits, Expert Opinions & Due Diligence Reports

rfu consulting offers its services as an inspection body and auditor for recognised labels and standards in the field of sustainable investments. Additionally, clients can request customised assessments of sustainable investment products. 

Austrian Ecolabel “Umweltzeichen”

The Austrian Ecolabel is one of the oldest, most established labels for Sustainable Financial Products in Europe. Created in 2004 the quality label is part of a whole family of eco-labels for the non-food sector. The Ecolabel is owned and issued by the Austrian Ministry of Environment. The administration of the label falls to the Austrian Consumer Association VKI.

Originally, the label could only be attained for equity funds. Because of market demand it was gradually opened up to include other products: certificates, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, unit-linked life insurance, savings and current account products, Green Bonds and Green Loans.

Since 2004, rfu consulting is an inspection body for the Austrian Ecolabel. With three certified auditors, rfu consulting has already issued several hundred initial and follow-up audit reports for over 50 local and international clients. We can pass on this broad experience in the form of efficient auditing processes and reliable pre-checks to label applicants.

Details on the requirements for attaining the eco-label for a given product category are published on: https://www.umweltzeichen.at/en/products/sustainable-finance 

FinAnKo Guideline

The Ethical Investment Guidelines of the Austrian Bishops' Conference and the Religious Communities of Austria (FinAnKo) define requirements for investments by church and church-related investor groups in Austria and partially beyond the borders.

It combines economic decisions with Christian values and is based on the principles of justice, peace and integrity of creation.

rfu consulting is assessing the compliance with the complex and multi-dimensional FinAnKo requirements. In structured expert opinions, the compliance is confirmed both on the methodology level and on the actual portfolio level.

Details about the requirements can be found on https://www.katholisch.at/finanko 

ÖGUT Fund Assessment

The ÖGUT label of the Austrian Society for Environment and Technology (ÖGUT) was established in 2004. It is a quality label for sustainable investment and management in Austrias provident funds (“Betriebliche Vorsorgekassen”) as well as pension funds (“Pensionskassen”).

For investment products targeted at these investor groups, rfu consulting is preparing expert opinion reports. This allows the institutions to have prior certainty about the contributions these products will make to future ÖGUT assessment of the portfolios in provident and pension funds. Particularly with special asset classes as well as ESG approaches a reassuring argument for end consumers. 

Bespoke expert opinions & due diligence assessments

Generally, institutional investors have established their own sustainability requirements. Potential investment components have to be assessed through an ESG due diligence to ensure their suitability.  

Based on its long-term know-how and broad expertise, rfu consulting is conducting due diligence assessments. A particular focus is on special asset classes such as private markets where ESG properties are often particularly complex and lacking transparency.