The Commission has published a series of frequently asked questions to support stakeholders in implementing EU rules on corporate sustainability reporting.

The publication of these FAQs is part of the Commission’s ongoing effort to reduce the administrative burden on companies and make the EU sustainable finance framework more user-friendly for them.

The FAQs take into account the input received from the companies and cover issues such as the scope of the rules, application dates and exemptions. For example, they clarify when companies can use estimates instead of having to collect value chain information from suppliers or partners.

The Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Mairead Maginnes, said: “The EU has taken important steps to build a comprehensive sustainable finance framework over the last six years, encouraging companies to start their transition path. Now, we’re focused on making sure our tools are easy to use and efficient, while continuing to reduce the administrative burden on companies. The FAQs provide important clarification and will further reduce the need for companies to seek outside legal or other advisory services to implement the rules. Companies are working hard to be more sustainable, which helps to strengthen their competitiveness in the medium term. My aim is to ensure that our framework helps them in this process.”

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is a cornerstone of the EU’s sustainability agenda, as well as the European Green Deal. It has modernized and strengthened the rules on the social and environmental information that companies must submit in the form of reports. The directive entered into force on 5 January 2023. The first group of companies subject to the new rules must start reporting in 2025, for the 2024 financial year.

Athena Papakosta