Reform of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) legislation

The Commission's ‘Simplification Omnibus’ on sustainability has attracted significant controversy and criticism. A rushed and ideologically-driven process has resulted in a botched job. The proposed changes gravely undermine human rights and environmental standards and they are simply confusing for companies who have already invested in compliance.

That said, whilst the execution may be bad, simplification in itself is not. Simplifying in the right way will empower companies to achieve impact whilst reducing burdens. The Commission has failed to achieve this, and it is now up to us to re-examine legislation and make changes that will deliver common-sense simplification, not just hacking away at our ground-breaking sustainability framework.

Unlike the Commission, we want to do this on the basis of evidence, expertise, and input. We want to hear from the experts and practitioners who are implementing this legislation, to understand where the challenges are, what improvements could be made, and where more support is needed.

We’d be grateful if you could share your thoughts on any of the questions below by 12 June, 18:00. 

It it not mandatory to fill in the entire form and the results will feed into our parliamentary amendments.

Section I: Experience with compliance so far, competitiveness and level-playing field

1. Have you already invested in compliance with the CSRD and CSDDD?
3.b. Are there costs for you associated with these reforms or political uncertainty?
4. If you are a European company, do you think the legislation offers sufficient certainty and protection vis-a-vis non-EU competitors?

Section II: Sustainability Reporting, Materiality and Assurance

1.b. Would more guidance on this issue be necessary?
3.b. Can this be simplified without changes to the CSRD text?
4.a. Is the audit and assurance of sustainability reporting currently working well?

Section III: Due Diligence: how to drive impact, prioritise what matters, and avoid box-ticking?