IAASB Efforts to Develop Sustainability Assurance Standards Will Complement ISSB Efforts
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has submitted a response to the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) on its exposure drafts on sustainability- and climate-related disclosures. In its response, the IAASB noted the importance of reliable, high-quality, globally consistent sustainability reporting that investors and regulators are able to trust.
“The reliability and quality of sustainability reporting and supporting investors’ and regulators’ trust in the sustainability information hinge on the effectiveness of the external reporting supply chain,” noted IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein. “As in financial reporting, external assurance has a key role in contributing to reporting reliability and investor confidence. This is why the IAASB’s feedback focuses on the ability of practitioners to obtain assurance on an entity’s sustainability reporting prepared in accordance with the ISSB draft standards, and why we’re committed to collaborating with and supporting the ISSB.”
The IAASB highlighted the value of long-term cooperation between the IAASB and ISSB, as well as the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, to strengthen the connectivity between sustainability reporting external sustainability assurance, and ethical standards—especially as standards become increasingly refined and enhanced. External assurance should play a crucial role in enabling organizations to demonstrate that the sustainability information reported is reliable and credible.
The IAASB has begun its journey to sustainability reporting assurance standards: at the June 2022 IAASB meeting, the IAASB committed to its next steps in developing a bespoke assurance standard for sustainability reporting. This journey to enhanced sustainability assurance standards was noted recently by the Financial Stability Board’s decision to include the IAASB’s work in its Climate Roadmap.
About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing and assurance standards and guidance for use by all professional accountants under a shared standard-setting process involving the Public Interest Oversight Board, which oversees the activities of the IAASB, and the IAASB Consultative Advisory Group, which provides public interest input into the development of the standards and guidance. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IAASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.