Unified Global Standards: New guidelines introduce a consistent global approach to sustainability reporting and assurance, fostering transparency and trust.

Enhanced Ethical Framework: The standards tackle challenges such as greenwashing, fraud, and ethical risks, driving accountability in sustainability practices.

Implementation Timeline: The standards will apply to periods starting on or after December 15, 2026, with early adoption encouraged.

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) have jointly launched integrated standards to enhance sustainability reporting and assurance practices. These initiatives address the growing need for dependable sustainability data, critical for informed stakeholder decision-making.

Key highlights of the new standards:

• Offer global markets interoperable guidelines for assurance, ethics, and independence in sustainability engagements.

• Adopt a framework-neutral approach, ensuring compatibility with various sustainability reporting frameworks.

• Mitigate risks such as greenwashing, fraud, and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

Implementation and Support
The new standards—ISSA 5000 for assurance engagements and IESSA for ethical practices—will take effect for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2026, with early adoption encouraged. To facilitate a seamless transition, the IAASB and IESBA will provide resources such as webinars, guidance documents, and feedback platforms to support stakeholders.

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Key Features of IESSA:

• Tackles challenges like immature data systems and forward-looking information in sustainability reporting.

• Addresses unethical practices, including greenwashing and pressures to act unethically.

• Strengthens investor protection by fostering trust and alignment with ethical best practices.

Additional Resources:

• The IESBA will host a series of global webinars to guide stakeholders in adopting the standards.

• Fact sheets, technical overviews, and implementation guides are now available to clarify the new requirements.

This collaborative effort by the IAASB and IESBA aims to enhance trust, transparency, and ethical conduct in sustainability reporting, empowering stakeholders to make well-informed decisions on a global scale.

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