These companies will be required to report on sustainability annually in their management reports according to European Sustainability Reporting Standards, with reports subject to an external audit. Social reporting requirements will require in-scope employers to report on working conditions, equal treatment and child and forced labour. This applies to both the workforce and workers in the value chain. Governance reporting requirements will require reporting on the composition of and diversity within the board of directors and management, together with information about management incentive schemes linked to sustainability matters. In scope companies will need to report a significant amount of employee-related information and therefore need to involve HR/people managers, as required. The new rules will take effect in four stages between 2024 and 2028.

Member States had until 6 July 2024 to implement the directive. Our implementation map shows the current status of transposition of the directive’s provisions into local laws.