CSRD in Poland: new challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs

What is the EU CSRD Directive?

The CSRD Directive is an EU legal act that aims to increase the transparency of business activities, the comparability of data on companies' activities in the ESG area to enable stakeholders to make informed decisions. The reporting obligation includes information on the impact of companies' activities on environmental (E), social (S) and corporate governance (G) issues.

Find out more: Sustainable development of companies. What is ESG? How can we help?

CSRD – Polish regulations implementing the ESG reporting obligation

On Friday, the president signed the act of December 6, 2024, amending the act on accounting, the act on statutory auditors, audit firms and public supervision and certain other acts . This act implements the provisions of the CSRD Directive, also known as the delegated directive, into Polish law and thus introduces the obligation for enterprises to prepare reports on their sustainable development.

The Act amends the Accounting Act by introducing a new chapter - 6c Sustainability Reporting, which regulates the principles of preparing sustainability reporting.

Read also: The most important ESG regulations - a guide for business

The new regulations on non-financial reporting will apply to entities that are a capital company, a limited joint-stock partnership, a general partnership or a limited partnership, all partners of which with unlimited liability are capital companies, limited joint-stock partnerships or companies from other countries with a legal form similar to these companies, insurance companies and reinsurance companies, as well as a domestic bank, a branch of a credit institution or a branch of a foreign bank.

See also: Polish companies not prepared for ESG reporting

Sustainability reporting will not cover:

• open-end investment funds,
• closed-end investment funds,
• specialist open-end investment funds
• alternative investment companies referred to in the regulations on investment funds and the management of alternative investment funds.

The non-financial reporting requirement will be implemented gradually. The first to submit their ESG reports in 2025 will be public interest entities that meet the appropriate criteria. Find out how we can help, check out our services: ESG – sustainability advisory services

The new Act shall enter into force after 14 days from the date of its publication, with the exception of:

1. Art. 12, which shall enter into force on 1 January 2025;
2.  Art. 3, which shall enter into force on 1 April 2025;
3. Art. 13, which shall enter into force on 22 June 2025;
4. Art. 10, which shall enter into force on 1 July 2025.

Why is ESG reporting important for entrepreneurs?

The introduction of the act transposing CSRD in Poland means significant changes for entrepreneurs. These regulations will gradually cover an increasing number of companies – starting with the largest entities, and ultimately also smaller companies listed on the regulated market.

In addition to introducing the obligation to report on sustainable development, the act tightens the criteria for using accounting simplifications.

Find out more: Change in tax limits in 2025 – what does this mean for companies?

While ESG reporting can be seen as a challenge, the right approach allows companies to leverage its potential. Key benefits include:

• Increased transparency: ESG reporting enables stakeholders such as investors, customers and partners to better understand a company’s activities and its impact on the environment and society;
• Improving access to financing: companies that effectively engage in ESG issues and provide reliable reports confirming the actions they have implemented will be able to count on improved access to external financing;
• Building a reputation: good practices in the field of sustainable development contribute to building a positive image of the company and increase its attractiveness to customers, business partners and employees;
• Minimizing risks: identifying and managing ESG risks allows companies to avoid potential financial and reputational losses.

See also: Crowe Poland and Envirly join forces in the ESG field

How to prepare an organization to fulfil ESG obligations?

Complying with ESG reporting requirements requires strategic planning and commitment at multiple levels of the organization. To prepare the organization for the upcoming obligations, we recommend:

• Invest in training for management staff and the project team: provide employees with the necessary competencies to carry out tasks related to ESG reporting.
• Conduct dual materiality research: identify ESG areas requiring reporting.
• Perform a gap analysis: evaluate existing policies, procedures and processes, identify gaps and recommend changes.
• Agree on ESG goals and directions of action: define strategic and operational ESG goals, define initiatives leading to their implementation.
• Design a target ESG data reporting process: develop an ESG data collection process, select an IT tool to support the process.
• Prepare an ESG report: collect data, prepare a report in accordance with CSRD and ESRS requirements.

Check out our ESG reporting services:
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See also our service: ESG implementation in an IT company