Simplified ESRS: what changes and how to anticipate the transition?

The European Commission published a draft delegated act on CSRD sustainability standards (revised ESRS standards – set 2) on May 6th. These revised standards would be applicable for the publication of sustainability statements in 2028 relating to the 2027 financial year, with the possibility for companies already subject to CSRD to apply them early from the 2026 financial year. 

What changes does this draft delegated act contain? 

This draft incorporates most of the proposals that EFRAG published in its technical advice in December 2025. Some additional operational clarifications and flexibilities are introduced.  

The main changes we can note are: 

• A clearer definition of the materiality principle 
• Clarification of the "value chain cap" and the information covered 
• The scope of permitted information omissions 
• The transitional provisions for the first years of application or for the year 2026 for wave 1 companies exiting the scope of CSRD 
• As well as the revision of some thematic data points (scope of microplastics, approach used for GHG emissions, etc.)  

Should this draft be taken into account to prepare for a 2028 publication? 

This draft is not final and may not be adopted as is. It is subject to stakeholder consultation for 4 weeks. The adoption of the final delegated act by the European Commission is expected by early summer 2026, but this timeline still needs to be confirmed. Then, the trilogue procedure will be implemented before the final adoption of the delegated act. 

These revised standards nevertheless provide a fairly clear direction regarding the general expectations for 2028 sustainability statements, with some diverging points of detail still needing to be confirmed following consultation feedback and the Commission's final validation. Companies subject to these standards in 2028 should be able to draw inspiration from them to start preparing their sustainability reporting, starting now. 

How to successfully transition to simplified ESRS? 

Our Sustainability team supports you in interpreting and using these new standards. 

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