The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires companies to publish annual reports on environmental and social impacts, risks and opportunities (IROs) using a set of disclosure rules called the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Large publicly listed companies in the EU with more than 500 employees were required to start reporting in 2025, for the financial year 2024.
Another group of companies was scheduled to follow in 2026, however, a delay in CSRD implementation was finalized in April 2025. Consequently, companies in the second and third reporting waves will be required to publish their first reports in 2028 and 2029, respectively. This “stop-the-clock” mechanism was proposed as part of the European Commission’s Omnibus Simplification Package, which also signals potential changes to CSRD reporting thresholds and obligations.
Most of these changes are still a proposal and pending legislative approval, a process that may take several months. This means that the current requirements under the CSRD remain in effect until the so-called trilogue negotiations conclude. And while the delay in CSRD implementation gives many companies some breathing room (and while many can even find themselves out of the scope), proactively implementing CSRD principles now remains crucial for building long-term resilience, attracting investors and talent, and securing a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving sustainable economy. To navigate these evolving requirements and understand how EcoVadis can support your journey, we invite you to download our guide.
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