The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) have formalized plans to collaborate, reinforcing a shared commitment to high-quality sustainability assurance. This partnership aims to enhance trust in corporate sustainability disclosures by establishing a strong global framework for assurance.
In its letter of intent, IAF highlighted its alignment with the IAASB’s goal of promoting consistency and quality in assurance practices worldwide. A key aspect of this collaboration includes IAF’s commitment to supporting the use of the IAASB’s International Standard on Sustainability Assurance 5000, in accredited verification activities where appropriate. Additionally, IAF will engage with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) to seek agreement on intellectual property considerations related to referencing IAASB standards.
IAASB Chair Tom Seidenstein welcomed IAF’s proposals, emphasizing the importance of this collaboration in strengthening global sustainability assurance. He highlighted ISSA 5000 as a global baseline for assurance engagements on general-purpose reported sustainability information and underscored the broader opportunity to advance a comprehensive suite of engagement performance, quality management, and ethics and independence standards for use by all sustainability assurance practitioners. Mr. Seidenstein expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, noting that it will help ensure consistency and quality in sustainability assurance engagements in the public interest and reduce the risk of fragmentation. The IAASB looks forward to supporting discussions between IAF and IFAC regarding the use of ISSA 5000 and other IAASB standards for accreditation purposes.
“This collaboration signifies our shared commitment to enhancing the reliability of sustainability disclosures, which are essential for building trust with stakeholders and promoting sustainable practices worldwide,” said Emanuele Riva, IAF Chair. “We recognize the value of IAASB standards, which integrate well and complement the verification activities on ESG issues that accredited conformity assessment bodies have been carrying out for years, even in regulated areas. We look forward to working with IAASB to further integrate IAASB standards into our accredited verification activities, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to sustainability assurance.”
About the IAASB
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board develops auditing, assurance, related services, and quality management standards and guidance in the public interest that support consistent performance of quality engagements. Along with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, the IAASB is part of the International Foundation for Ethics and Audit. The Public Interest Oversight Board oversees IAASB and IESBA activities and the public interest responsiveness of the standards. For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please visit Permissions