Combined non-financial statement - METRO Annual Report 2021/22

With this chapter, METRO AG fulfils its duty to produce a non-financial statement (NFS) for the holding company, pursuant to §§ 289b to 289e of the German Commercial Code (HGB), and a non-financial group statement, pursuant to §§ 315b to 315c in conjunction with §§ 289c to 289e of the German Commercial Code (HGB), in the form of a combined non-financial statement. As a separate chapter, this declaration constitutes a part of the combined management report. Unless stated otherwise, the concepts described here apply to the entire group as well as the holding company.¹

The NFS was produced in consideration of the GRI standards for corporate responsibility reporting and the UN Global Compact. The contents are not subject to statutory audits of the annual and consolidated financial statements, but are part of a limited assurance business audit according to ISAE 3000 by KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.

The Limited Assurance Report can be found at the end of the report after the independent auditor’s report.

Business model

For more information about METRO’s business model, see chapter 2 principles of the group – 2.1 group business model.

Audit

A procedure that assesses an organisation’s processes and structures according to previously formulated standards and guidelines. For example, an audit provides information on the effectiveness of process optimisation measures. If an audit is conducted by an external auditor, the certificate issued after the review can be used as evidence of adherence to standards.

Glossary

ISAE (International Standard on Assurance Engagements)

Standards for the procedure of auditors for assurance engagements published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and intended for uniform application worldwide.

Glossary

¹ Due to the acquisition of C & C Abholgroßmärkte Gesellschaft m.b.H. (AGM) by METRO AG, AGM will be included in the non-financial reporting for the first time in the current reporting period. The integration process (consolidation of concepts and applied due diligence processes) starting in financial year 2021/22 is expected to be completed in the next financial year.