CRSD explained: how companies are affected by new CRSD regulations

A few days in 2023, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) came into effect, increasing the number of social and environmental rules that companies will need to follow. These rules will require more organisations to provide more detailed reporting on sustainability management in their business. 

What is CRSD? 

The CSRD is a new regulation that aims to improve sustainability reporting standards for companies within the European Union (EU). The directive builds on the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) that was introduced in 2014, which required large companies to disclose information about their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. The CSRD seeks to expand on this by introducing more detailed and specific reporting requirements, which will make sustainability reports more comparable and reliable. 

The goal of this directive is to ensure that companies are held accountable for their sustainability performance, which will help to promote sustainable development and mitigate the impact of climate change.  

What companies are affected by the CSRD?  

  • All large EU companies that fulfil two out of three criteria: more than 250 employees, assets of more than €20 million, or net turnover of more than €40 million
  • All listed companies on the EU-regulated market, regardless of their size 
  • Non-EU companies that have a turnover of above €150 million in the EU
  • Companies that are classified as public interest entities (PIEs), such as banks and insurance companies 

When will these new rules start applying?  

The CSRD was officially proposed by the European Commission in 2021 and it came into effect on the 5th of January 2023. Companies do have at least one year before these rules start applying. 

  • 1 January 2024 for companies that were previously subject to the NFRD 
  • 1 January 2025 for other large companies 
  • 1 January 2026 for listed SMEs
  • 1 January 2028 for non-EU companies that have turnovers in the EU

With these new rules, companies will need to comply with the new reporting and disclosure requirements on a range of sustainability issues, such as net zero targets. CRSD also created a common reporting framework for sustainability data. This way, companies can expect to be held more accountable for their impacts on the environment. Companies will also need to make changes to their environmental performance to ensure compliance with these new requirements. 

How can companies start changing?  

The CSRD represents a significant change in sustainability reporting requirements, and companies must start preparing for this now. One of the first steps that companies can take is to conduct an ESG materiality assessment. This will help to identify the sustainability issues that are most relevant to their business, and which should be included in their reporting.  

In addition, companies will need to ensure that they have robust data management systems in place, which will allow them to collect and report on ESG data accurately. This will involve collaborating with other departments within the company, such as finance and human resources, to ensure that the necessary data is being collected and analyzed. Companies to be more detailed in their reporting to ensure transparency and accuracy, which will help investors and other stakeholders to make informed decisions.  

Finally, the CSRD will put more pressure on companies to be more responsible for their sustainability performance. By expanding reporting requirements and setting higher standards, there is a greater emphasis on sustainability, making it a more central aspect of a company's operations. In order to comply with the CSRD, companies will need to invest more effort into their sustainability practices to ensure their reports are compliant with the regulations. 

In conclusion, the CSRD represents a significant change in sustainability reporting requirements for companies operating in the EU. While the directive will require companies to invest time and resources into improving their sustainability reporting processes, it also presents an opportunity for companies to improve their ESG performance and demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development. By starting to prepare for these changes now, companies can ensure that they are ready to comply with the new requirements and continue to meet the expectations of their stakeholders. 

With gryn’s data-driven processes and AI-powered technology, the calculation and reduction of carbon emissions are simplified and made much easier for organizations. Through our intelligence platform, organizations can keep better track of their sustainability efforts and stay on top of CRSD reporting requirements.