The European Commission extended the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group’s (EFRAG) deadline to revise the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) from October 31 to November 30, 2025, announced July 3, 2025. This supports the EU’s Omnibus I package to cut Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) burdens by reducing ESRS data points by over 50%. Affecting 50000 firms and $500 million in compliance costs, the revision aims to streamline reporting while aligning with global standards like ISSB. With only 40% of firms fully CSRD-compliant, can the extension ensure quality, or will political and cost pressures dilute ESG ambitions?

The Extended Deadline

EFRAG, tasked in March 2025 to revise ESRS under the CSRD, faced a tight seven-month timeline ending October 31, 2025. The Commission’s one-month extension, prompted by EFRAG’s concerns over consultation quality, allows a 60-day public feedback period starting late July, up from 30–45 days. Maria Luís Albuquerque’s letter emphasizes no new mandatory data points and shorter standards, targeting $200 million in cost savings for firms. The revised ESRS, expected for 2027 reporting, may apply optionally in 2026.

READ MORE: Spain’s Bold Aid Surge Defies Global Cuts for Global South

Why Simplification Matters?

The CSRD, effective since 2023, mandates ESG reporting for 50000 EU firms, covering emissions, social impacts, and governance, with 2024 reports due in 2025. The original ESRS, adopted in 2023, included 1200 data points, overwhelming 60% of firms, per EFRAG surveys. The Omnibus I package, launched February 2025, aims to cut data points by 50%, saving €10000 per firm annually, and limits CSRD scope to companies with over 1000 employees. This responds to 2024 election backlash blaming Green Deal costs for economic strain.

EFRAG’s Revision Plan

EFRAG’s draft status report, released June 2025, proposes a top-down materiality approach, reducing narrative data points and prioritizing quantitative metrics. The 12 topical standards (E1–E5, S1–S4, G1) remain, ensuring coverage of climate, biodiversity, and labor issues, but with 600 fewer data points. A 60-day consultation, extended due to the new deadline, seeks stakeholder input on voluntary data points and ISSB alignment to avoid $50 million in double-reporting costs. EFRAG’s $10 million revision budget targets completion by November 30, 2025.

Explore OneStop ESG Marketplace: ESG reporting

Challenges to Implementation

Only 40% of CSRD firms fully comply, with SMEs citing $15000–$50000 in reporting costs, per Accountancy Europe. Political resistance, with 30% of EU Parliament members opposing strict ESG rules, risks further dilution, especially after the 2024 rightward shift. Interoperability with ISSB standards, used in 132 jurisdictions, is complex, with 20% of firms reporting conflicts, costing $20 million in adjustments.

What’s Next for ESRS?

EFRAG’s Exposure Draft, set for late July 2025, will undergo consultation through September, with final advice due November 30, 2025. The Commission aims to adopt the delegated act by December 2025, affecting 2027 reports. A quick-fix act by summer 2025 will ease 2024–2026 reporting for 10000 firms. Against 35.6 billion tonnes of global CO2e emissions, streamlined ESRS could cut 0.01% via better corporate transitions, saving $1 billion in climate damages.

Explore ESG Solutions on our marketplace - OneStop ESG Marketplace.

Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.

OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.