The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has released International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (UK) 5000, establishing a consistent, internationally aligned framework for sustainability assurance engagements in the UK.
ISSA (UK) 5000 mirrors the global benchmark developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) and is available for voluntary use by UK assurance providers. The standard sets out comprehensive requirements for both limited and reasonable assurance engagements and is designed to be profession-agnostic.
The FRC said the new standard will help strengthen confidence in the credibility of UK sustainability disclosures, supporting better investment decisions and reinforcing the UK’s position as a leading hub for sustainable finance.
“The release of ISSA (UK) 5000 marks a significant step in establishing a consistent framework for sustainability assurance in the UK,” said Mark Babington, Executive Director of Regulatory Standards at the FRC. “By underpinning investor confidence in sustainability disclosures, this standard will help UK companies access capital more efficiently and contribute to long-term economic growth.”
The council noted strong support from firms, professional bodies, investors and companies for issuing the standard on a voluntary basis, underscoring the growing demand for high-quality, assured sustainability information.
