IESBA Launches Post-Implementation Review of NOCLAR Standard

Posted 12 May 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Justice

Brought to you by SA Accounting Academy: The International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) has commenced a formal Post-Implementation Review (PIR) of the Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations (NOCLAR) standard and the Restructured International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.

The PIR process is conducted in accordance with the IESBA’s commitment to ensuring that the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International Independence Standards) remains fit for purpose. The primary objective is to assess whether the NOCLAR provisions and the Restructured Code are achieving their intended outcomes, specifically regarding the identification of benefits and implementation challenges faced by practitioners and regulators globally.

The NOCLAR standard provides a comprehensive framework that guides professional accountants on the steps to take when they encounter actual or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations. This includes considerations for both auditors and professional accountants in business. The IESBA has issued two stakeholder surveys to gather empirical evidence on the following:

  • The practical application of the NOCLAR framework across different jurisdictions.
  • The clarity and usability of the Restructured Code’s architecture.
  • Potential inconsistencies or ambiguities identified during the initial years of implementation.
  • The impact of the standards on the public interest and professional behavior.

Stakeholders invited to participate include individual professional accountants, audit firms, professional accountancy organisations, regulators, oversight bodies, and investors. The feedback collected will determine if further standard-setting activity or additional implementation guidance is required from the IESBA.

The IESBA has also released a Snapshot document, presented as 10 FAQs, to provide a high-level overview of the PIR process. Detailed information on the project and the surveys can be accessed via the official IESBA portal.

Access more information on responding to NOCLAR at https://www.ethicsboard.org/focus-areas/responding-non-compliance-laws-and-regulations

Click here to view the IESBA Survey Announcement.

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

  • For yourself: You should review your current understanding of the NOCLAR framework to ensure you are meeting your ethical obligations when encountering legal non-compliance in your professional capacity.
  • For your business: Accounting and audit firms should assess whether their internal compliance manuals and reporting protocols align with the Restructured Code to mitigate the risk of regulatory sanctions.
  • For your clients: Clients must be informed that professional accountants are bound by the NOCLAR standard, which may require the disclosure of certain legal breaches to appropriate authorities in the public interest.

Originally published at https://accountingacademy.co.za/news/read/iesba-post-implementation-review-of-noclar-standard-and-the-restructured-code

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