ISSA™ 5000: A New Era for Sustainability Assurance

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has ushered in a transformative chapter in corporate reporting and assurance with the release of International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA™) 5000 – General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements. This landmark standard, approved in 2024, is designed to provide a comprehensive and globally applicable framework for the assurance of all sustainability-related information.

The Rise of Sustainability Assurance

As environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues dominate stakeholder expectations and regulatory landscapes, the demand for credible, consistent, and comparable sustainability reporting has soared. However, this growing demand has highlighted a fragmented assurance environment, with varying standards, scopes, and levels of assurance being applied across jurisdictions and industries.

Recognizing the need for clarity and global consistency, the IAASB developed ISSA 5000 as a foundational standard to guide practitioners and instill trust in sustainability-related disclosures.

What is ISSA™ 5000?

ISSA 5000 is a principles-based, overarching standard that applies to assurance engagements on sustainability information, irrespective of the specific topic (e.g., climate, biodiversity, diversity), reporting framework, or industry. It outlines the general requirements for planning, performing, and reporting such engagements, drawing on established assurance principles while allowing for flexibility in adapting to future developments.

Key features of ISSA 5000 include:

Applicability to both limited and reasonable assurance engagements
Compatibility with a wide range of sustainability reporting frameworks, such as the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (by ISSB), GRI Standards, and jurisdiction-specific frameworks
Alignment with the ISAE 3000 (Revised) structure for assurance engagements other than audits or reviews of historical financial information

Why ISSA 5000 Matters

The adoption of ISSA 5000 reflects a paradigm shift from standalone assurance on specific metrics—like greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—to a more integrated and holistic approach to sustainability assurance. It aims to serve as a global baseline, adaptable by jurisdictions and scalable by assurance providers of all sizes.

By introducing a single standard to cover the full spectrum of sustainability topics, ISSA 5000 addresses:

Inconsistencies in assurance scope and terminology
Gaps in practitioner guidance for emerging sustainability topics
Market confusion regarding the level of assurance provided

The standard empowers users—whether investors, regulators, or the general public—to better interpret sustainability claims and distinguish between assured and non-assured information.

What Happens to ISAE 3410?

In light of the approval of ISSA 5000, the IAASB has announced the withdrawal of ISAE 3410 – Assurance Engagements on Greenhouse Gas Statements. ISAE 3410, which specifically governed GHG-related assurance, will be officially retired effective December 15, 2026, the same date that ISSA 5000 comes into force.

This consolidation signifies a maturing of the assurance landscape, reducing redundancy and positioning ISSA 5000 as the single reference point for sustainability assurance engagements going forward.

A Global Benchmark in the Making

ISSA 5000 is not a static framework—it is part of a modular system under development by the IAASB. Additional topic-specific guidance and companion standards are expected to follow, enabling the profession to respond to rapidly evolving sustainability disclosure demands.

Effective Date:

ISSA 5000 applies to assurance engagements on sustainability information for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2026, or as at a specific date on or after that same date.

Final Thoughts

The introduction of ISSA™ 5000 marks a pivotal step in strengthening the reliability of sustainability information globally. For assurance providers, regulators, companies, and investors, this standard offers clarity, comparability, and confidence in the assurance process.

As sustainability becomes a defining lens through which corporate performance is judged, ISSA 5000 lays the groundwork for a more transparent and accountable future—where trust in what’s reported is no longer a luxury, but a standard.

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