CSRD Readiness: Key Steps and Challenges for Compliance

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a new European Union regulation that requires companies to provide more detailed reports on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

Compliance with CSRD is essential for businesses operating in the EU as it ensures transparency and accountability in how companies address sustainability. By aligning with these new reporting standards, companies not only meet regulatory requirements but also demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices, which is becoming increasingly important to investors and stakeholders alike.

What Is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)?

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires companies to provide more detailed reports on their environmental, social and governance practices. Its goal is to improve transparency and accountability, helping investors and stakeholders better understand the sustainability efforts of businesses. By expanding on the existing Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD), the CSRD ensures that companies take a more comprehensive approach to greening their operations.

The CSRD applies to a wide range of businesses, including large EU companies and non-EU companies with significant operations across Europe. Companies meeting at least two of the following criteria — more than 250 employees, over €50 million in turnover or more than €25 million in assets — must comply. Listed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also required to report with a phased implementation.

Unlike the NFRD, the CSRD introduces stricter requirements, such as more detailed reporting on ESG factors and mandatory verification of reports by an independent third party. This ensures a higher level of reliability and completeness, making sustainability reporting as integral as more traditional financial reporting.

Key Steps to Achieve CSRD Readiness

Preparing for CSRD compliance involves several critical steps to ensure your company meets the directive’s standards. Below are the key actions businesses should take to align with the new reporting requirements:

1. Assess current reporting practices: Conducting a thorough gap analysis not only helps identify areas for improvement but also ensures that your company stays on track with evolving CSRD readiness requirements. By regularly reassessing your practices, you can continuously align your sustainability efforts with the latest regulatory updates.
2. Enhance data collection and management: Efficient data collection is vital for CSRD reporting requirements. Along with ensuring data accuracy, companies must also consider compliance with frameworks such as the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) for financial reporting. Investing in advanced data management systems helps meet CSRD readiness assessment goals more effectively while supporting other regulatory needs like ESEF.
3. Develop a CSRD compliance strategy: Establish a roadmap for achieving compliance by the required deadlines. This strategy should outline specific goals, timelines and responsibilities, ensuring that all aspects of the company’s operations are prepared for the new reporting obligations.
4. Engage stakeholders: Bringing stakeholders into the CSRD readiness process fosters greater collaboration and ensures that everyone — from management to external partners — is aligned with the company’s sustainability objectives. This involvement also helps build stronger relationships with investors who are increasingly focused on corporate sustainability reporting directive compliance.
5. Implement reporting technology: Leverage technology solutions to streamline the reporting process. Specialized software can help manage data collection, track progress and generate reports that meet CSRD’s detailed requirements, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

By following these key steps, companies can not only meet the corporate sustainability reporting directive requirements but also streamline their sustainability practices. Proactively adopting these measures will position businesses to efficiently handle future regulatory changes, enhance overall CSRD readiness and maintain a competitive edge in the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability.

CSRD Reporting Requirements

The CSRD outlines specific requirements that companies must follow to ensure comprehensive sustainability reporting.

Below are the key aspects of these requirements:

Scope of companies affected 
As mentioned before, the CSRD applies to large EU companies and non-European companies with significant business in the area on a phase in basis. Companies must comply if they meet two out of three criteria: more than 250 employees, over €50 million in turnover or €25 million in assets. Listed SMEs will also need to comply with a phased implementation period. Non-EU companies that generate over EUR150 million in the EU also fall into scope subject to additional criteria.

Reporting standards
Companies must adhere to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which cover environmental, social and governance factors. These standards require both qualitative and quantitative data, focusing on short-, medium- and long-term impacts.

Double materiality
CSRD introduces the concept of double materiality, which requires companies to assess how sustainability issues affect their financial performance and how their activities impact the environment and society. This ensures a more complete understanding of both risks and opportunities.

Mandatory assurance
To enhance the credibility of the reported data, the CSRD requires that sustainability reports be verified by an independent third party. This assurance ensures the accuracy and reliability of the information, similar to financial auditing. Limited assurance is mandatory from the first year of reporting followed by reasonable assurance once a feasibility assessment is carried out by the European Commission.

Integration with financial reporting
Under CSRD, sustainability information must be included in the company’s management report, typically alongside financial data. This integration emphasizes the importance of sustainability reporting as a core component of corporate transparency and accountability.

Digital Reporting
Under the CSRD mandate, companies are required to prepare sustainability statements in a human-readable and a machine-readable format that meet the requirements of the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF). On August 30th, 2024, the ESRS Set 1 XBRL Taxonomy was published which enables the digital tagging of ESRS statements.

Challenges in Achieving CSRD Compliance

Meeting CSRD requirements presents several challenges that companies must address to ensure smooth compliance:

Data collection and accuracy
Accurately gathering sustainability data is crucial, especially with increasing scrutiny on privacy and data security. Companies must ensure that their reporting aligns not only with CSRD standards but also with broader regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance.

Resource allocation
CSRD compliance demands significant resources, including time, budget and personnel. Companies must dedicate teams and tools to manage reporting effectively, which can strain smaller businesses or those with limited resources.

Keeping up with regulatory changes
The CSRD is subject to ongoing updates, and companies need to stay informed about changes to the directive and related regulations, such as the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) guidelines. Keeping up with evolving requirements across multiple frameworks can be challenging for businesses operating in different jurisdictions.

Benefits of CSRD Compliance

Complying with the CSRD offers several key benefits for companies, beyond meeting regulatory obligations:

Enhanced transparency 
CSRD compliance promotes greater transparency in how companies manage environmental, social and governance issues. This improved clarity allows stakeholders to better understand the sustainability efforts of any given business.

Increased investor confidence
By providing clear, detailed sustainability reports, companies can build stronger trust with investors. Accurate ESG data reassures investors that the company is committed to responsible practices, making it a more attractive investment option.

Competitive advantage
Early and effective CSRD compliance can set companies apart from competitors. Companies that align with sustainability standards position themselves as leaders in responsible business practices, which can lead to stronger market positioning.

Regulatory compliance
Meeting CSRD requirements helps companies avoid potential penalties and ensures that they stay in line with evolving EU regulations, mitigating the risk of legal or financial consequences.

Recap

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requires that companies provide detailed reports on their sustainability efforts, enhancing transparency and accountability. Compliance involves several key steps, such as assessing current practices, improving data collection and engaging stakeholders. Although challenges like data accuracy and resource allocation exist, the benefits include increased investor confidence, competitive advantage and alignment with regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Complying with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive is more than just meeting regulations — it’s an opportunity to strengthen sustainability practices and enhance long-term success. By aligning with CSRD, companies demonstrate transparency and accountability, which are increasingly valued by investors, customers and regulators.

Early adoption of CSRD requirements positions businesses as leaders in sustainability and allows them to integrate responsible practices into their core operations. This proactive approach helps companies avoid penalties and gain a competitive edge in a marketplace that prioritizes transparency and ESG performance.