IAASB and IESBA Issue Joint FAQs on Sustainability Assurance Standards

Posted 18 June 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Sustainability Reporting

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The IAASB and IESBA have released a joint publication addressing frequently asked questions to assist practitioners in applying new sustainability assurance and ethics standards.

In terms of the International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, and the International Ethics Standards for Sustainability Assurance (including International Independence Standards) (IESSA™), the respective boards have provided a coordinated framework for practitioners. The Joint Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) released in early 2025 are designed to highlight and explain practical aspects of applying these standards in tandem.

The guidance aims to support the consistent application of the standards, which were launched in January 2025 to establish a global baseline for sustainability assurance. The FAQs address matters relevant to the adoption and implementation of both the assurance and ethics components, ensuring that practitioners maintain independence and professional skepticism while conducting engagements.

Key focus areas of the Joint FAQs

  • Interoperability between the assurance requirements of ISSA 5000 and the ethical requirements of IESSA.
  • Practical application of independence standards in the context of sustainability reporting.
  • Consistency in the implementation of the coordinated global framework across different jurisdictions.

Click here to download the Joint IAASB-IESBA FAQs on Sustainability Assurance.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Use the FAQs to clarify how the IESSA independence requirements apply specifically to sustainability assurance engagements, ensuring personal compliance with international ethical standards.
  • For your business: Audit and assurance firms must integrate the guidance into their quality management systems to ensure that engagements performed under ISSA 5000 meet the coordinated ethical and technical requirements.
  • For your clients: Inform clients that sustainability disclosures will now be subject to a more rigorous, globally standardized assurance and ethics framework, potentially requiring improvements in their sustainability data collection processes.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/iaasb-iesba-joint-faqs-on-sustainability-assurance-engagements

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