ESRS-Professional ESRS Professional Certification Exam Questions and Answers

Inline XBRL (iXBRL)is the digital reporting format required under theCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)to ensure standardized and machine-readable sustainability reporting.

It is required under CSRD for sustainability reporting

TheCSRD mandates the use of Inline XBRLfor sustainability reports, ensuring digital tagging for structured data submission, making informationeasier to analyze by regulators and investors​.

✅(A) is correct

It only applies to narrative disclosures, not numerical data

Incorrect.Inline XBRL applies to both numerical data (KPIs, metrics) and narrative disclosures, allowingstructured reporting across qualitative and quantitative sustainability information​.

❌(B) is incorrect

It makes reports both human-readable and machine-readable

True. Inline XBRL embeds machine-readable tags into a human-readable document, ensuringboth usability and compliance with digital reporting requirements​.

✅(C) is correct

It ensures that tags are embedded within a visually clear format

Correct. TheInline XBRL standard ensures that the digital tags do not alter the visual presentation of the report, maintaining clarity for human readers while allowing structured data extraction​.

✅(D) is correct

Conclusion:Inline XBRLis required under CSRD (A), makes reports both human-readable and machine-readable (C), and ensures a visually clear format (D). However, it applies to both narrative and numerical data, making (B) incorrect.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772​

Compilation Explanations January - July 2024​

Official References:

TheCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)replaced theNon-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD)to address itslimitationsin scope and reporting requirements. Below are the explanations for each option:

A. False– The NFRDdid notrequire all companies in the EU to include a non-financial statement. Instead, itapplied only to large public-interest entitieswith 500 or more employees.

B. True– The NFRD applied tolarge public-interest entities, includinglisted companies, banks, and insurance firms with more than 500 employees​.

C. False– The NFRDdid not mandate external assurancefor sustainability information. TheCSRD introduced mandatory assuranceat the EU level​.

D. False– The CSRDdid not replace the NFRD; rather, itexpanded and strengthened reporting requirements. TheNFRD was replaced by the CSRD, but not the other way around​.

E. True– TheCSRD was introduced to improve the scope and depth of sustainability reportingcompared to the NFRD. Itexpanded the number of entities required to report, standardized disclosures via ESRS, and introduced third-party assurance requirements​.

Key Differences Between CSRD and NFRDFeature

NFRD (Old Directive)

CSRD (New Directive)

Scope

Large public-interest entities (500+ employees)

All large companies + listed SMEs

Assurance

Not required

Mandatory external assurance

Disclosure Requirements

Limited sustainability disclosures

Comprehensive ESRS-based reporting

Reporting Standards

No standardized framework

ESRS-based mandatory framework

Application Date

In force since 2018

Applies from 2024 onwards

CSRD Directive (EU) 2022/2464– Assurance & Reporting Provisions​.

ESRS Compilation Explanations January - November 2024​.

Official References:

According to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) under the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772, stakeholders are defined as individuals or groups who can affect or be affected by the undertaking. The ESRS distinguishes between two main groups of stakeholders:

Affected stakeholders: These are individuals or groups whose interests are affected or could be affected – positively or negatively – by the undertaking’s activities and its direct and indirect business relationships across its value chain.

Users of sustainability statements: These include primary users of general-purpose financial reporting (e.g., existing and potential investors, lenders, and other creditors such as asset managers, credit institutions, and insurance undertakings) and other users, including the undertaking’s business partners, trade unions, social partners, civil society and non-governmental organizations, governments, analysts, and academics​.

Furthermore, engagement with affected stakeholders is a crucial aspect of the undertaking’s ongoing due diligence process and sustainability materiality assessment. This involves identifying and assessing actual and potential negative impacts to inform the materiality assessment process for sustainability reporting​.

Official References:

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 of 31 July 2023 supplementing Directive 2013/34/EU on sustainability reporting standards​.

ESRS 1: General Requirements, Section 3.1 (Stakeholders and their relevance to the materiality assessment process).

TheCorporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)significantly strengthens sustainability reporting and assurance requirements compared to theNon-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD). The key shift introduced by CSRD is themandatory assurance of sustainability reports, which includesdefined standards, scope, and providers.

Key Differences Between CSRD and NFRD:Feature

NFRD (Previous Directive)

CSRD (New Directive)

Assurance Requirement

Voluntary

Mandatory

Who Can Provide Assurance?

Organizations could choose any provider

Member States decide between statutory auditors and independent assurance providers

Assurance Scope

Limited guidance

Defined ESRS-based scope

Assurance Level

No formal requirement

Limited assurance initially, transitioning to reasonable assurance by 2028

Reporting Scope

Limited to large public-interest entities

Expanded to all large companies and listed SMEs

Disclosure Framework

High-level requirements

Detailed ESRS framework with sector-specific standards

Mandatory Assurance:

Unlike the NFRD, the CSRDrequires sustainability reports to be assuredby an independent external provider.

The assurance process followsESRS standardsto ensure consistency​.

Defined Standards and Scope:

CSRD specifies thescope of assurance, focusing onmaterial sustainability disclosures, governance, andrisk disclosures.

TheEuropean Commissionis developing a standard methodology for assurance​.

Transition to Reasonable Assurance:

Initially,limited assuranceis required.

ByOctober 2028, the EU aims to transition toreasonable assurance, aligning sustainability assurance with financial audits​.

Option A: Incorrect – TheCSRD makes assurance mandatory, whereas theNFRD had a voluntary approach.

Option B: Incorrect – TheCSRD does not eliminate sustainability reporting assurance; it makes it morestructured and rigorous.

Key Provisions of the CSRD:Why Other Answers Are Incorrect:Thus, thecorrect answer is C:The CSRD introduces mandatory assurance for ESRS reporting, with defined requirements for scope, standards, and providers.

Official References:

CSRD Directive (EU) 2022/2464– Assurance Provisions​.

EU Platform on Sustainable Finance Report (February 2025)– Assurance and Compliance Guidelines​.

CEAOB Guidelines on Assurance of Sustainability Reporting (2024)– Limited Assurance Transitioning to Reasonable Assurance​.

Nature is indeed recognized as a "silent stakeholder" in the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This term implies that, although nature cannot actively voice its concerns, it remains a critical component of sustainability reporting due to its fundamental role in sustaining life and economic activity. ESRS emphasizes that organizations must consider their impacts on nature, ecosystems, and biodiversity as part of their sustainability disclosures.

This recognition aligns with the concept ofdouble materialityembedded in the ESRS framework, which considers both the financial impact on an organization and the organization's impact on environmental and social matters. The ESRS explicitly integratesbiodiversity and ecosystems (ESRS E4)as a key topic, reflecting the need to account for the effects of business activities on nature, even if nature itself cannot actively advocate for protection.

Thesilent stakeholderconcept reinforces theduty of carethat organizations hold in assessing and mitigating their impacts on biodiversity, land use, pollution, and natural resources. This aligns with theUnited Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)and theEU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, both of which emphasize the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems​.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772 of 31 July 2023(ESRS E4 - Biodiversity and Ecosystems)​.

EFRAG Guidance on Stakeholder Engagement– Highlights nature as an affected stakeholder in sustainability matters​.

EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030– Emphasizes that economic activities must integrate ecosystem preservation and restoration​.

Official References:This confirms that the statement istrueunder ESRS standards.

TheESRS Taxonomyacts as aframeworkfor tagging sustainability disclosures, ensuring data is structured, consistent, and comparable across organizations.

TheCSRD requires sustainability information to be reported in a digitally accessible format, making it available for both people and machines.

Under the CSRD, sustainability reports will eventually be uploaded to theEuropean Single Access Point (ESAP), centralizing public financial and non-financial information across the EU​.

ESRS as a "framework"– The ESRS taxonomy defines a structure that allows sustainability data to be categorized and tagged effectively​.

"Digitally accessible format"– The CSRD mandates reporting inmachine-readable formatssuch asXBRLto improve transparency and comparability​.

European Single Access Point (ESAP)– ESAP will serve as thecentralized EU platformfor sustainability and financial disclosures​.

Correct Sentence Completion:Explanation of the Selected Answer:References:

EU Taxonomy Regulation and CSRD Reporting Structure​

EFRAG Explanation on ESRS Digital Reporting​

Step A in thedouble materiality assessment processis theinitial stagewhere an organization establishes a foundational understanding of itsbusiness context, activities, and stakeholder relationships. This step is critical in identifying how the entity interacts with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters and lays the groundwork for further impact and financial materiality assessments.

Thedouble materiality conceptin the ESRS framework requires organizations to evaluate both:

Impact materiality– How an organization’s activities impact people and the environment.

Financial materiality– How sustainability matters influence the organization's financial position, performance, and cash flows.

Identifying the business environment:Understanding industry-specific sustainability challenges, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.

Recognizing affected stakeholders:Engaging internal and external stakeholders to determine which sustainability matters are relevant.

Defining dependencies and risks:Evaluating the organization’s dependencies on natural, social, and human capital, and how these can influence business outcomes.

Understanding sector and geographical relevance:Assessing which sustainability issues are most significant based on where the company operates.

Key Aspects of Step A in Double Materiality Assessment:Step A does not yet involve selecting specific disclosure requirements (Step B) or conducting a financial materiality assessment (Step C). Instead, it provides thecontextual frameworknecessary for subsequent steps in the materiality process​.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772, ESRS 1, Section 3.1– Defines stakeholders' role in materiality assessment​.

EFRAG Compilation Explanations January - November 2024– Provides guidance on applying double materiality and the importance of Step A​.

EFRAG IG 1 Materiality Assessment, Chapter 2.2– Outlines Step A as the process of understanding business activities, stakeholders, and sustainability context​.

Official References:Thus, the correct answer isC. Understand the organization's context, activities, and stakeholders.

Adigital reporting platformunder ESRS is designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of sustainability disclosures. It must enable seamless reporting and compliance monitoring through advanced digital features. The defining elements include:

(A) Structured data formats

Digital platforms must support structured formats likeXBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language), ensuringmachine-readability and interoperabilitywith financial reporting standards​.

(C) Interactive dashboards

Platforms often providevisualization tools and dashboardsto facilitate analysis and comparison of sustainability data across different periods and entities​.

(D) Real-time updates and compliance tools

Digital reporting solutions should offerreal-time data integrationto enable ongoing compliance tracking and alignment withevolving regulatory requirements​.

(B) Manual data entry processes

Manual entry isnot a characteristicof a digital reporting platform. Instead, digital platforms prioritizeautomation, integration, and structured data processingto improve efficiency and reduce errors​.

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772, ESRS 1, Section 8.1 & 9.2– Establishes digitalization and connectivity requirements for sustainability reporting​.

EFRAG Digital Reporting Guidelines (2024)– Defines structured data standards and compliance automation in ESRS reporting​.

Incorrect Option:Official References:

The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) categorize stakeholders intotwo main groups:

Affected Stakeholders:

These are individuals or groups whose interests are affected (positively or negatively) by the undertaking’s activities and business relationships across its value chain.

Examples include workers (own workforce and those in the value chain), affected communities, consumers, and end-users.

The identification of affected stakeholders plays a crucial role in an organization’s sustainability due diligence and materiality assessment processes.

Users of Sustainability Statements:

These are primary users of sustainability disclosures, including investors, lenders, and other creditors.

Additional users include business partners, trade unions, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, analysts, and academics.

The ESRS framework emphasizes the importance ofengagement with affected stakeholdersas part of an undertaking’s due diligence and materiality assessment process, ensuring that material impacts, risks, and opportunities are adequately identified and reported​.

Official References:

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772, ESRS 1, Section 3.1- Defines the two main groups of stakeholders​.

ESRS 2 SBM-2 (Interests and Views of Stakeholders)- Covers how affected stakeholders' views inform an undertaking’s strategy​.

EFRAG Guidance on Stakeholder Engagement and Double Materiality- Reinforces the role of affected stakeholders in sustainability assessments​.