Omnibus I Package Approved: Simplified ESG Reporting for Companies
What will you learn from this text?
- Who is subject to the new, higher reporting thresholds under the CSRD Directive?
- What exemptions will companies in the so-called "first wave" face in 2025-2026?
- What changes have been made to the CSDDD and why will climate transition plans no longer be mandatory?
- How was the trickle-down effect on smaller subcontractors limited?
- Why is professional ESG support becoming crucial in the new legal environment?
Omnibus I Package Approved
Who is subject to the new, higher reporting thresholds under the CSRD Directive?
On February 26, 2026, Directive (EU) 2026/470 of the European Parliament and of the Council , also known as Omnibus I, was published in the Official Journal of the EU. The most important change is the narrowing of the group of companies subject to non-financial reporting obligations. The European Union has decided that the requirements must be proportionate to the capabilities of companies.
The directive enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication. Member States have one year from its entry into force to transpose it into national law. Article 4, concerning the level of harmonisation, must be complied with by 26 July 2028 at the latest.
New CSRD thresholds. Only the largest companies report ESG
According to the new regulations, the ESG reporting obligation resulting from the provisions of the CSRD Directive will apply to entities and capital groups that meet both of the following two criteria:
- employing over 1,000 employees,
- net sales revenues exceeding EUR 450 million per year.
In addition, the package provides for the exemption of financial holding companies from the scope of CSRD application.
What does this mean in practice? Thousands of companies that were originally scheduled to report in the coming years will be exempt from this obligation.
Voluntary opt-out from reporting for the "first wave" (2025–2026)
The Polish government, following EU guidelines, has already adopted a draft amendment to the Accounting Act. It provides a significant improvement: companies that have prepared an ESG report for 2024 but will no longer be required to do so under the new thresholds (1,000 employees/€450 million), can voluntarily opt out of reporting for 2025 and 2026.
The decision to use this exemption will be made by the company's management board, which should analyse the reporting costs against the image benefits and business strategy.
What changes have been made to the CSDDD and why will climate transition plans no longer be mandatory?
Supply Chain Simplification and the CSDDD
The scope of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has been limited to companies employing more than 5,000 people and with net revenues exceeding €1.5 billion. Such large entities have the greatest influence over their value chains and have the resources necessary to cope with the costs and administrative requirements of the new regulations.
The new regulations also remove the obligation for companies to adopt transformation plans to mitigate climate change under the CSDDD.
Furthermore, the amendment extends the deadline for transposing the CSDDD into national law by one year. The new deadline for Member States is 26 July 2028. Businesses will be required to apply the new provisions from July 2029.
Omnibus I Package Approved
How was the trickle-down effect on smaller subcontractors limited?
When identifying and assessing risks, companies can focus their efforts on those links in the value chain most vulnerable to negative impacts. To provide companies with the necessary flexibility in situations where risks in different areas are equally likely or severe, they are empowered to prioritize remediation actions for their direct partners. Importantly, this process should be based on reasonably available data, thereby reducing the burden of information requests on smaller counterparties.
Omnibus I Package Approved
What else is changing? Report certification will no longer be required.
The planned requirement for "reasonable assurance" during auditor attestation of ESG reports has been abandoned. ESG reports will still be audited, but they will remain at the "limited assurance" level, which is less costly and less formalized.
Additionally, the regulations provide greater freedom to omit sensitive information, such as trade secrets, the disclosure of which could harm the company's market position.
Why is professional ESG support becoming crucial in the new legal environment?
Even though the thresholds have been raised, ESG remains on the business map. For companies that remain within their scope of obligations, as well as for those wishing to voluntarily report to maintain contracts with leading companies, efficient data management is crucial.
How can an ESG reporting service help your business?
Professional ESG consulting and reporting services allow you to:
It is worth using professional support to turn regulatory obligations into a competitive advantage while avoiding high fines for irregularities.
Want to find out if your company can benefit from the 2025-2026 reporting exemption? Contact us, and we'll help you prepare for ESG reporting and properly fulfil your obligations. We'll audit your organization's business processes for compliance with your ESG strategy, help you adapt to the new Omnibus I regulations, and implement the VSME standard.