The CNMV's new guide on audit committees includes new indications on sustainability reporting

The CNMV has approved the new Technical Guide on audit committees of public-interest entities in order to incorporate the recent changes in the institutional, socio-economic and regulatory context, primarily in relation to sustainability disclosures in annual reports. According to this guide, audit committees should expand upon and develop their control mechanisms in these areas, particularly in relation to the transparency with which they are required to address sustainability reporting.

The new features of the guide include, among others, its adaptation to the terminology employed in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), through the use of the term "sustainability information" rather than "non-financial information". Other areas covered are the distinction drawn between the roles of the audit committee and those of any sustainability committees, practical recommendations regarding the sustainability assurance provider, recommendations on the expertise that audit committee members should have, as well as the sustainability-related content that it is recommended be included in the periodic training plans of audit committee members.

At the date of publication of the guide, the transposition into Spanish law of the Sustainability Directive (CSRD) remains pending, the expectation being that the advisability of including any changes or technical adjustments will be analyzed once the transposition has been completed.