Today the European Commission launched a targeted consultation to gather feedback on the draft standards for limited assurance of sustainability reporting. Reliable sustainability information is key to channelling private investment towards sustainable activities.
Under EU rules, large companies that meet certain size thresholds must report on their sustainability performance in line with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). To ensure this information is credible, it must be independently reviewed by an external reviewer, in a process known as ‘assurance’.
The first simplification package presented by the Commission, Omnibus I, which simplified the CSRD, confirmed that companies will only be required to obtain limited assurance for sustainability reporting. It also removed the option of introducing a future requirement for the more demanding ‘reasonable assurance’. This approach keeps the requirement on companies proportionate, while ensuring that sustainability disclosures remain subject to independent scrutiny.
In preparing the draft limited assurance standards, the Commission drew on advice from the Committee of European Auditing Oversight Bodies (CEAOB), while taking into account existing international standards and the EU’s specific legal framework.
The consultation launched today invites feedback on the CEABOB’s technical advice, as well as on their proposed adjustments to the international standard. In addition, the consultation invites views on how the standard can work most effectively within the EU context.
The consultation is open to all stakeholders, including companies preparing sustainability reports, auditors, independent assurance providers, investors and other users of assurance, standard‑setters, oversight bodies, and civil society organisations. Responses can be submitted until 18 January 2027.
Respond to the consultation
