Preparing for CSRD: A Checklist for Companies

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is changing the way businesses report on ESG. If you operate in the EU, or do business with EU companies, CSRD compliance isn’t optional. It’s a regulatory requirement.

So where do you start? This step-by-step checklist will help you understand your obligations, build a process, and get your company ready.

1. Confirm Your CSRD Compliance Requirements

Before diving in, make sure you know whether your company is in scope.

• Do you meet CSRD criteria (250+ employees, €40m+ turnover, or €20m+ in assets)?
• What is your first reporting year and deadline (depends on company size and listing status)?
• Will you be required to report under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)?

👉 Common question: Does CSRD apply to UK companies?
Yes, if you have subsidiaries or significant business operations in the EU, you’ll likely fall under CSRD reporting obligations.

2. Conduct a Double Materiality Assessment

CSRD requires companies to report on both financial materiality and impact materiality:

• How sustainability risks and opportunities affect your company’s financial performance.
• How your company impacts people, communities, and the environment.

This “double lens” ensures ESG reports reflect not just shareholder priorities but also wider stakeholder concerns.

3. Establish ESG Data Collection Processes

Manual spreadsheets won’t cut it anymore. Under CSRD, data must be accurate, auditable, and ongoing.

• Track Scope 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions.
• Monitor ESG KPIs (employee diversity, supply chain, waste reduction, etc.).
• Set up systems for real-time ESG data tracking.

4. Align with ESRS Reporting Requirements

The ESRS standards define exactly what needs to be disclosed. To prepare:

• Familiarise your team with ESRS requirements.
• Standardise reporting across departments.
• Ensure ESG data is stored in formats that are verifiable and audit-ready.

5. Define ESG Goals and Strategy

CSRD isn’t just about disclosure, it’s about demonstrating real progress.

• Set measurable sustainability targets (science-based if possible).
• Create action plans for emissions reduction and ESG improvements.
• Integrate ESG into core business strategy, not just reporting.

6. Prepare for External Audits

CSRD requires third-party assurance of ESG data.

• Document all sustainability data clearly.
• Engage auditors early to identify gaps.
• Fix issues before official submission to avoid delays or penalties.

7. Publish and Submit Your CSRD Report

Finally, ensure your CSRD report is:

• Digitally accessible and formatted for regulators.
• Compliant with CSRD + ESRS standards.
• Transparent and engaging for employees, customers, and investors.

How Futureproof Can Help

At Futureproof, we know CSRD compliance can feel overwhelming. That’s why we built a platform that:

• Automates ESG data collection.
• Streamlines audit preparation.
• Makes CSRD and ESRS reporting seamless.

👉 Don’t let CSRD become another stress point.
Book a demo today and see how Futureproof takes the complexity out of compliance.