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On 21 April 2021, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The proposal revises existing rules introduced by the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and proposes the development of mandatory European sustainability reporting standards (ESRS).
NGOs welcomed the changes as key to achieve objectives set in the European Green Deal and sustainable finance agenda, but called for policymakers to address key gaps such as the exclusion of private SMEs and failure to specify essential aspects that EU standards need to address in particular with regard to reporting on human rights. EU Parliament and Council will negotiate the final text in the coming months.
On 21 June 2022, the European Parliament and EU governments agreed on the new EU sustainability reporting requirements. The rules will apply to all large companies (with over 250 employees and a 40 million euro turnover), as well as non-EU companies with substantial activity in the EU market (150 million euro in annual turnover in the EU) and a handful of SMEs listed on public markets with lighter reporting standards.
Under the CSRD, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) is tasked with developing draft ESRS. Following a public consultation, it published the first set of draft standards in November 2022, which set out cross-cutting standards and standards for the disclosure of environmental, social and governance information. Sector-specific standards are to follow.
On 9 June 2023, the European Commission published for public consultation a draft Delegated Act on the first set of ESRS. NGOs said they were concerned with the significant reduction in ambition compared to EFRAG’s technical advice and urged the Commission to introduce a robust, mandatory and consistent reporting framework.
On 31 July 2023, the European Commission adopted the European Sustainability Reporting Standards in the form of a Delegated Act, confirming the watered-down requirements.
EFRAG started working on sector-specific standards in 2022 but paused in spring 2023, as it was requested by the Commission to prioritise other work on the implementation of the first set of sector-agnostic EU standards. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed to delay adoption of sector-specific sustainability reporting standards by two years in January 2024, although MEPs ensured that the Commission will strive to publish sector-specific sustainability reporting standards in eight areas as soon as they are ready before the deadline.
In January 2025, in response efforts to delay the rollout of ESG reporting rules, some of France's largest corporations signed a letter to European policymakers urging them to keep to the implementation timetable. The letter argues many companies have already made "significant progress" in aligning with the frameworks, and warns against "fostering a culture of delay".
In February, 160 investors with EUR 6.6 trillion worth in assets warned the Omnibus package could harm investment and create legal uncertainty in a joint statement published by three leading investor membership bodies (Eurosif, IIGCC and the PRI). Read the joint statement in full below.
In February, a leaked draft Omnibus proposal included several changes "significantly" watering down European sustainability regulation. The proposed changes were highly criticized and deemed "reckless" by experts. The European Coalition for Corporate Justice (see below) emphasised that the leaked draft proposal represents "full-scale deregulation" that dismantles "key elements" of both the CSRD and CSDDD.
On 26th February, the European Commission adopted the new Omnibus package of proposals on EU rules. The proposals include "far reaching" amendments to CSRD, CSDDD and the Taxonomy. Changes to CSRD include removing around 80% of companies from the scope; postponing the reporting requirements by two years until 2028 for companies currently in scope and required to report as of 2026 and 2027; and "simplifying" the "Do no significant harm" criteria in relation to pollution prevention and control, among other amendments.
According to a survey by Coolset, most companies see ESG reporting as a strategic advantage rather than just a compliance task. Despite regulatory changes, 90% plan to continue reporting. Stakeholder pressure remains strong, with 85% of businesses stating that ESG transparency is still important to investors, customers, and partners.
The paper concludes that the EU has created a nexus of legal provisions which taken together limit the possibility of greenwashing and provide for severe sanctions for environmental, social and governance (ESG) misrepresentations. Hence, it is important that the simplification and streamlining initiated by the European Commission preserves the elements in the sustainable finance framework that prevent greenwashing.
Experts from ShareAction, WWF European Policy Office, the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, the World Benchmarking Alliance and Frank Bold shared their views on the European Commission’s Omnibus proposal during a webinar co-organised by these organisations.
CSRD is key to improving access to ESG data, according to the EU banking regulator. The lack of data standardisation and comparability could present challenges to banks.
WWF argues in their press release that the Commission’s Omnibus proposal undermines key EU sustainability laws, threatening the Green Deal and creating regulatory uncertainty.
Kalpona Akter, a labour activist from Bangladesh, criticises the EU's upcoming Omnibus proposal, labelling it as corporate-driven deregulation that weakens the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. She argues that the proposal favours big businesses over workers' rights and jeopardises hard-won protections in global supply chains.
In their analysis, SOMO found that the financial cost of complying with the CSDDD – as estimated by the European Commission – would represent only 0.13 per cent of the average shareholder payouts made in 2023.
Some major companies like Nestlé, Unilever, and Signify oppose the European Commission's plan to weaken newly introduced green regulations, arguing that it threatens sustainability efforts, legal certainty, and a level playing field.
The EU Commission's proposed reforms to sustainability reporting and due diligence are being criticised as deregulation that weakens climate and human rights protections, reduces corporate accountability, and limits investors' access to reliable sustainability data.
The letter from 14 companies and industry associations, including Nestlé, Ferrero, MARS, Primark and Ingka Group | IKEA, says: "Investment and competitiveness are founded on policy certainty and legal predictability. The announcement that the European Commission will bring forward an “omnibus” initiative that could include revisiting existing legislation risks undermining both of these."
In their statement, ECCJ argues that the leaked draft Omnibus proposal severely weakens the EU’s corporate sustainability framework and firmly reject the proposal.
Seven sustainability initiatives – including amfori and the Fair Labor Association – call on EU policymakers to ensure that the core elements of the EU sustainability due diligence and reporting framework remain aligned with internationally recognised standards.
Dutch businesses urge the EU to uphold and implement the CSRD, CSDDD, and Taxonomy as planned, emphasising the need for legal certainty, a level playing field, and the benefits of strong sustainability regulations.
CSOs argue that the EU must reject calls for corporate-driven deregulation and uphold sustainability laws to protect people, the planet, and small businesses from exploitation.
240 European researchers, mainly economists, have issued an open letter warning of the dangers of the ‘Omnibus’ initiative being prepared by the European Commission.
150+ civil society stakeholders have requested in a joint letter that the European Commission does not create further confusion and uncertainty through re-opening agreed legislative texts. The letter also criticises the way in which the Omnibus process has proceeded.
Frank Bold's analysis examines the positions on the Omnibus proposal, specifically the CSRD and CSDDD, from certain ministries and authorities in Germany and France.
Finnish CSOs and companies urge the European Commission to avoid renegotiating agreed sustainability due diligence rules, emphasising the need for certainty, timely transposition, and clear guidance.
Signatories request President von der Leyen and Commissioner Dombrovskis to "respect the principles of democratic decision-making enshrined in the Treaty on European Union, which are so important to the credibility, mandate and public trust in the EU institutions."
Investors with a combined €6.6 trillion in assets under management have urged the European Commission to “preserve the integrity and ambition” of the EU’s sustainable finance framework.
In their commentary, Heidi Hautala and the Resource Centre's Director Phil Bloomer argue that Europe must resist deregulation pressures and maintain strong ESG standards to uphold public trust, protect rights, and ensure legal certainty for businesses.
Alexander Burr, ESG policy lead at Legal and General Investment Management, told Bloomberg that rolling back the rules “could risk our ability to understand ESG or sustainability-related risks.” The statement has also been covered by other outlets including Forbes and FT SustainableViews.
The European Commission is convening a roundtable with major corporations, particularly from the financial and energy sectors, and civil society groups to discuss revisions to the upcoming Omnibus proposal.
The European Commission announced plans to streamline business regulations to boost innovation. CSOs have criticised this Competitiveness Compass, arguing that it steers Europe in the wrong direction.
Transition plans should be “a single, comprehensive strategic planning process that covers all regulatory requirements stemming from applicable legislation” such as the corporate sustainability reporting directive and corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD), EBA's new guidelines state.
Ten European National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) expressed concerns in an open letter that the EU’s Omnibus proposal could undermine progress on corporate sustainability and create uncertainty for companies.
CSOs criticise France’s push for an indefinite delay of EU legislation, including CSRD and CSDDD, warning it could undermine social and environmental justice despite the country’s prior support for the legislation.
In light of the European Commission's announcement of an 'Omnibus Simplification Package’ , a group of business and human rights experts from legal practice, consulting, academia and the business world have expressed their grave concerns regarding the approch in a letter to the Commission.
In light of the discussions around an ‘Omnibus’ law, companies like Nestlé, Mars, Mondelez, Ferrero, Hershey and Tony’s Chocolonely, as well as other chocolate sector actors, urge the European Commission to not modify any elements of the CSDDD, nor to reopen it for renegotiation by the co-legislators, but to focus on guidance and support for its implementation.
170 civil society groups, human rights and environmental defenders, trade unions and climate activists have published a joint statement "saying no" to the 'Omnibus' proposal announced by EU Commission President von der Leyen to amend three key legislative pillars of the European Green Deal: the CSDDD, the CSRD and Taxonomy Regulation
The due diligence approach allows human rights and environmental risks to be assessed in a contextualized manner. Behind what is criticized as a “bureaucratic” approach, there is therefore far-reaching trust in companies, the authors argue.
Some of France’s largest companies, including Amundi SA and Electricite de France SA, have signed a letter to European policymakers urging them to ensure the bloc sticks with its current timetable for implementing ESG reporting rules.
90+ organisations urge EU leaders to protect the sustainability reporting framework, promoting smart implementation and providing the legal certainty companies need to thrive.
The 2024 Danish Institute for Human Rights benchmark assesses the human rights policies and due diligence practices of 30 major Danish companies, measuring their alignment with global standards and contributing to discussions on responsible business conduct and the impact of upcoming EU regulations.
In their new report, frank bold shows key findings from an assessment of 100 companies’ reports in preparation for the implementation of the EU Sustainability Reporting Standards, good practice examples and recommendations to businesses, auditors and policymakers.
UNICEF’s new guidance briefs assist companies reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) by offering insights on how to integrate children’s rights into assessments, disclosures, and reporting requirements, especially in areas such as child labor, community impacts, and protections for children as consumers.
Standardised sustainability disclosures under the CSRD are crucial for the EU's economic resilience and global leadership in sustainability, write Julia Otten and Susanna Arus of Frank Bold in Sustainable Views. Policymakers should maintain a strategic vision, focusing on long-term resilience rather than short-term expediency.
The European Commission has initiated infringement procedures against 17 EU member states for failing to meet the July 6, 2024 deadline to fully implement the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) into national law.
The agreement among EU co-legislators needs to be formally voted by the Council and EU Parliament, but is expected to be in place before the EU elections this year.
However, MEPs ensured that the Commission will strive to publish sector-specific sustainability reporting standards in eight areas as soon as they are ready before the deadline.
It of critical importance to address challenges and uncertainties currently faced by companies, as well as to ensure meaningful sustainability disclosures, the statement says.
A majority of 359 Members of the Parliament voted against a motion to reject the ESRS and its replacement with an emptied and diluted piece of legislation.
Germany is seeking to exempt thousands of Mittelstand companies from EU green reporting rules, in a move officials say risks “gutting” the bloc’s efforts to hold companies accountable for their impact on the environment.
Frank Bold calls on the Commission not to disregard the political agreement reached in 2022 on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
These Standards provide more detail on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive adopted last year, while also updating them to align with new international climate reporting standards issued in June.
Eurosif welcomes the standards covering all Environmental, Social and Governance topics. Concerns remain over making all disclosures subject to materiality assessment.
The endorsed statement was developed jointly by the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA), the European Sustainable Investment Forum (Eurosif), the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), the PRI and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI).
On 9 June, the European Commission published for public consultation a draft Delegated Act on the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
Publication by the Danish Institute for Human Rights: "How do the pieces fit in the puzzle? Making sense of EU regulatory initiatives related to business and human rights"
The European Commission will now consult EU bodies and Member States on the draft standards,
before adopting the final standards as delegated acts in June 2023, followed by a scrutiny period by the European Parliament and Council.
Sustainability reporting experts and NGOs welcome the adoption of the EU sustainability reporting standards (ESRS) by EFRAG submitted this week to the European Commission. Whilst the ambition of the ESRS remains limited in several areas, they represent a major improvement for companies as well as for users of sustainability information and address the biggest problems in quality and reliability of corporate reporting.
MEPs voted today (November 10) to confirm the agreement reached earlier this summer to strengthen companies’ obligations to disclose information on their sustainability risks and impacts, and adopt mandatory EU standards covering ESG matters
The letter, signed by 37 organisations, calls on the European Commission to uphold the legal mandate agreed in the CSRD to develop and adopt an ambitious framework to improve and standardise corporate disclosure on sustainability matters
On Tuesday 21 June, the trilogue negotiations between the European Commission, Parliament and Council concluded with an agreement for the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive proposal will move to the final stage of the legislative process and enter trilogue negotiations between the EU Commission, European Parliament and the Council.
NGOs together with investors and asset managers call members of the European Parliament to broaden the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to ensure that all listed SMEs, as well as non-listed SMEs operating in high-risk sectors, are adequately incorporated in the legal framework.
The 12 signatories of this statement - who represent key users of corporate sustainability information - call on EU policymakers to promptly agree on the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive reform and support accompanying EU standards
Frank Bold's report calls on EU to strengthen Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive to effectively address barriers to supervision and enforcement of disclosure obligations introduced by EU NFRD
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has signed an open letter alongside Wikirate, OAR and Clean Clothes Campaign, urging EU members of Parliament and the EU Commission to adopt and incorporate open data principles into the proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
The authors argue that respect for human rights is not just an ESG factor, but a global standard of expected conduct for all companies, including institutional investors.
The proposal presents several major improvements which are essential to help companies focus and report on meaningful information and channel finance to activities and projects needed to meet the objectives of the European Green Deal. However, it falls short on several important points, which significantly limit its desired impact.
The recommendations can successfully guide the EU standard-setting process, and significantly advance the quality of corporate sustainability transparency, says the Alliance for Corporate Transparency.
The reports set out recommendations to the European Commission for the elaboration of possible EU sustainability reporting standards and for possible changes to EFRAG's governance and funding if it were to become the EU sustainability reporting standard setter.
To contribute to a meaningful EU process for the standardisation of reporting requirements in favour of comparable, concise and relevant disclosure, the members of the Alliance for Corporate Transparency have combined their expertise and aligned on key priorities for reform of the EU NFR Directive and development of possible future standards.
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