The ISSB is shaking things up with a comprehensive review of SASB Standards, aiming to enhance sustainability disclosures across various industries. Big changes are coming, and stakeholders worldwide have a chance to weigh in.
Key Points
•🌍 Global Reach: Proposed amendments affect 50 industries, including Extractives & Minerals and Processed Foods.
•🗓️ Mark Your Calendar: Feedback window open until November 30, 2025.
•📊 By the Numbers: 150-day comment period for stakeholders.
•🔗 Interoperability: Aligning with IFRS S2 and other global standards.
•🧑🤝🧑 Stakeholder Engagement: Investors, preparers, and regulators to share their insights.
📋 The Big Proposal
The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has published two exposure drafts for major amendments to the SASB Standards. This initiative focuses on enhancing sustainability disclosures across nine prioritized industries, including Extractives & Minerals Processing and Processed Foods. The goal? To better align metrics on critical topics like Water Management and Workforce Health & Safety across 41 additional industries.
🌎 Why It Matters
These enhancements are part of ISSB's 2024–2026 work plan, aimed at supporting companies applying IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The amendments promise to improve the decision-usefulness of information provided to investors and benefit companies that voluntarily use SASB Standards. Sue Lloyd, ISSB Vice-Chair, emphasized, > "This comprehensive review further aligns the language and concepts in the SASB Standards with the ISSB Standards."
🛠️ The Consultation Process
To make things easy for stakeholders, ISSB has set up an online survey for feedback on the proposed amendments. Stakeholders can comment on all proposals or focus on parts most relevant to them. Supplementary reference materials are available for a thorough review. The comment period is open until November 30, 2025, and ISSB plans to finalize the enhancements by 2026.
🔮 Looking Ahead
Before the end of 2025, ISSB will publish exposure drafts for additional SASB Standards in the Electric Utilities & Power Generators and Food & Beverage sectors. More industries will be prioritized for enhancements later this year, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with global standards.
