The European Commission has adopted the highly anticipated Omnibus package to simplify EU regulations. This reform is set to make compliance easier for businesses by reducing administrative burdens and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Key Updates to CSRD Reporting
One of the standout changes involves the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The scope of sustainability reporting will now be limited to companies with at least 1,000 employees and over €50 million in revenue or €25 million in net assets. This reduction will exclude approximately 80% of companies previously required to report under these guidelines.
Importantly, the Commission aims to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are shielded from indirect obligations stemming from supply chain reporting requirements imposed on larger companies.
Extended Deadlines for Reporting
The package introduces a two-year delay for large companies that have not yet begun applying the CSRD and for listed SMEs. This means these companies will not face reporting obligations until 2028, giving them and policymakers additional time to prepare for and finalize these new standards.
Broad Simplification Goals
The Omnibus package extends beyond CSRD, targeting a 25% reduction in administrative burdens and a 35% reduction specifically for SMEs by the end of the Commission’s term. This initiative spans financial reporting, sustainability due diligence, EU taxonomy, the carbon border adjustment mechanism, and European investment programs.
If implemented as planned, these measures are projected to save businesses €6.3 billion annually in administrative costs and mobilize an additional €50 billion in public and private investments towards policy priorities.
Sustainability Reporting Changes
Significant updates in sustainability reporting under the CSRD and EU Taxonomy include:
- Limiting CSRD application to larger enterprises with the greatest environmental and social impact.
- Ensuring small businesses in supply chains are not burdened by reporting obligations.
- Allowing voluntary reporting for large enterprises outside the revised CSRD scope, enabling access to sustainable finance.
- Introducing gradual alignment with the EU Taxonomy, promoting a transitional environmental strategy.
- Simplifying the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) criteria and reducing reporting templates by approximately 70%.
Updates to Sustainable Due Diligence
The package also eases sustainability due diligence requirements:
- Focusing due diligence on direct business partners and reducing monitoring frequency from annual to every five years.
- Limiting the scope of value chain mapping for larger businesses, alleviating burdens for SMEs.
- Enhancing uniformity across EU states to create a level playing field for businesses.
Additionally, the Commission plans to remove EU-level civil liability conditions while safeguarding victims’ rights to fair compensation and protecting businesses from overcompensation risks.
Implementation Timeline
The reporting obligations for due diligence have been delayed by a year, now set to begin on July 26, 2028, while the adoption of preliminary guidelines has been advanced to July 2026.
A Major Step Toward Simplification
The European Commission’s Omnibus package represents a comprehensive effort to streamline compliance processes while supporting sustainable growth. Business owners and policymakers can look forward to reduced costs, less administrative complexity, and a greater focus on fostering innovation and sustainability across the EU.
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