As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly integral to corporate strategy and investor decision making, ISSA 5000 provides much needed consistency for accountants and assurance practitioners as they navigate the complex world of sustainability disclosures.
ISSA 5000 is the first comprehensive international standard focused on sustainability assurance. It builds on the IAASB's existing standards, particularly the IAASB’s International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised), and is designed to be flexible enough to cover the wide range of sustainability information that organizations report—from climate-related risks and emissions data to social and governance metrics.
The approval of ISSA 5000 is a game-changer for sustainability assurance. It provides a solid foundation for the assurance of sustainability information, helping companies meet the growing demand for transparency, while also meeting investor and stakeholder information needs.
As global sustainability reporting standards continue to evolve, the role of accountants and assurance practitioners will become even more critical in ensuring the integrity of sustainability reporting. With ISSA 5000, the IAASB has set a new global benchmark for sustainability assurance, paving the way for more credible, reliable, and consistent sustainability disclosures worldwide.
