A guide to corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD)
A guide to corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD)
Updated 17 February 2026 at 14:09
January 2024 saw the EU enforce a new reporting directive with the intent of evaluating the sustainability performances of companies to bring the EU closer to its 2050 net-zero target. This guide has been updated in February 2026 to keep up to date with the latest CSRD.
A guide to corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD)
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is a major European Union (EU) regulation designed to standardise and deepen how companies disclose environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. It succeeds the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and aims to strengthen transparency for investors, customers and other stakeholders, as part of the EU Green Deal and broader sustainable finance goals.
What is CSRD and why it matters for your business
CSRD mandates detailed sustainability disclosures from a much wider group of companies than before, embedding double materiality — reporting on both how sustainability issues affect the company and how the company impacts people and the planet.
Under current EU agreements which can be found on business.gov.nl, reporting obligations are phased in over several years and thresholds have been revised to target larger entities while reducing administrative burden on smaller firms.
Who must report and key thresholds
CSRD now applies to large companies and certain listed entities that meet defined criteria for turnover, balance sheet total and number of employees. Compliance waves include:
From 2025: companies previously under NFRD begin enhanced reporting (using 2024 data).
From 2027–2028: large enterprises meeting revised criteria must report; thresholds have shifted upwards in recent legislative agreements, focusing obligations on companies with substantial scale — for example significantly higher employee and revenue thresholds.
From 2029: non-EU companies with significant operations in the EU must also disclose under CSRD, more on this via (PwC).
Note: Thresholds and final dates are subject to EU legislative approval and national transposition — check Netherlands Enterprise Agency guidance for the latest Dutch implementation timeline.
What must be reported
CSRD relies on European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), which structure disclosures across:
General governance and strategy, including risk management and sustainability policies.
Environmental matters such as climate change, resource use, water, biodiversity and circular economy performance.
Social factors covering workforce conditions, human rights aspects in supply chains and community impacts.
Governance practices and ethics disclosures.
Reporting must be assurance-ready, with data quality and controls that stand up to auditor review.
Steps for Amsterdam-area businesses preparing for CSRD
Determine scope: assess whether your company falls under CSRD criteria based on turnover, employees and assets. Consult legal or sustainability specialists.
Gap analysis: undertake an internal review of current non-financial reporting practices and data systems against ESRS requirements.
Build capacity: embed data collection processes across functions (finance, operations, HR and supply chain), and plan for external assurance .
Materiality assessment: use double materiality to prioritise disclosures that matter most to stakeholders and your organisation’s long-term success.
Emerging developments and future outlook
CSRD continues to evolve. In 2025 and beyond the EU is refining ESRS drafts and considering proposals to simplify reporting for smaller companies, adjust thresholds and support phased implementation.
Companies in the Amsterdam Area and wider Netherlands are encouraged to stay informed on national transposition timelines and guidance from regulatory bodies like the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and to engage with expert advisors early to align sustainability strategy with CSRD requirements.
