CSRD vs ESRS
The CSRD is the law; the ESRS are the rulebook. You comply with the CSRD by reporting under the ESRS.
The CSRD is the EU directive; the ESRS are the technical standards it mandates. One creates the reporting obligation, the other tells you how to report.
Side by side
| Dimension | CSRD | ESRS |
|---|---|---|
| Type | EU Directive (2022/2464) | EU Delegated Regulation (2023/2772) |
| Purpose | Creates the reporting obligation | Defines what and how to disclose |
| Scope | Large EU companies, listed SMEs, non-EU parents with EU activity | All entities in CSRD scope |
| Content | Legal framework, timing, assurance | Twelve standards across E, S and G topics |
| Materiality | Mandates double materiality | Operationalises double materiality |
Talk about CSRD when discussing whether a company is in scope, timing, or assurance requirements.
Talk about ESRS when discussing specific disclosures, data points or materiality assessments.
Frequently asked questions
Are ESRS mandatory?+
Yes for CSRD-in-scope entities. Non-EU parents in scope from FY 2028 use a specific non-EU standard being developed by EFRAG.
How many ESRS are there?+
Twelve in the first set: ESRS 1 and 2 (cross-cutting), E1–E5 (environmental), S1–S4 (social) and G1 (governance).
Both are sustainable-finance instruments, but they work differently: a Green Loan finances a specific green project; an SLL is general-purpose credit whose pricing moves with sustainability performance.
Scope 1 and 2 are the emissions a company controls directly or via purchased energy. Scope 3 is everything else in the value chain — typically 70–90% of the total.
A corporate carbon footprint quantifies the total GHG emissions of an organisation over a period. An LCA quantifies the environmental impacts of a specific product across its full life cycle.