Strasbourg, 1 April 2025
Having voted to use the urgent procedure, Parliament will decide on Thursday whether to delay application of the new sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements.
With 427 votes for, 221 against and 14 abstentions, Parliament voted on Tuesday to fast-track its work on the stop-the-clock proposal to postpone the application of social and environmental reporting and due diligence measures.
Under the proposal to be put to a vote on Thursday, application of social and environmental reporting would be postponed by two years for the second and third waves of companies within its remit.
As part of the same vote, MEPs will decide whether to delay transposition and application of due diligence measures for one year for the largest companies.
Next steps
The Council of the EU, which brings together member states’ ministers, endorsed the Commission proposal on delayed application without changes. If MEPs endorse that text on Thursday, the draft rules would only need formal approval by the Council to enter into force.
Background
On 26 February 2025, the European Commission presented the “Omnibus I” simplification package. It comprises, among other files, a directive delaying application of due diligence and sustainability reporting rules, on which MEPs will vote on Thursday, and another directive changing the scope and content of both the due diligence rules and the sustainability reporting requirements. Work on the second of the two directives will now start in Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.
Further information
- Results of roll-call vote on urgent procedure (1 April 2025)
- Procedure file
- Questions and answers on simplification Omnibus I and Omnibus II
- European Commission press release on Omnibus package (26 February 2026)
Source – EU Parliament
EPP Group calls on constructive forces to vote in favour of fast-tracking bureaucracy reduction
The EPP Group calls on all constructive forces in the European Parliament to vote today in favour of fast-tracking the legislative proposal aimed at reducing bureaucracy.
“The ‘stop the clock’ proposal must enter into force as soon as possible. We need to give clarity and breathing space to EU businesses, protect jobs and boost growth. That is why the EPP Group called for an urgent procedure back in March,” says Tomas Tobé MEP, EPP Group Vice-Chair and Spokesman for the Omnibus simplification package.
“The Council approved the Commission proposal without any changes, and the EPP Group is ready to do the same. The crucial vote is still to come. Today, we call on all constructive forces in the Parliament to support this first step by taking swift and decisive action. With rising global instability and European companies falling behind, we must act now,” Tobé underlines.
Source – EPP Group
S&Ds: we call on pro-European forces to find common understanding on the Omnibus package
The Socialists and Democrats remain open to negotiations to simplify procedures and reporting for businesses,and to improve citizens’ lives. However, we have a clear red line: any cooperation with the far right is a firm ‘no go’ for the progressive family.
We also cannot accept simplification amounting to slashing standards. That is why this first Omnibus package is the test case for the future – on how we work together to get simplification right.
Gaby Bischoff, vice-president of the S&D Group for sustainable economy, social Europe and single market and S&D co-negotiator on the package, said:
“Our Group has worked relentlessly to facilitate an agreement with the pro-European forces, but after weeks of discussions, we have not reached an agreement. This is why the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have voted against this urgent procedure.
“Our message on the proposed changes in EU law is clear. We want to help our companies to comply with European legislation. But simplification cannot mean deregulation. Therefore, we will continue to negotiate before the vote on the “stop the clock” on Thursday.
“We were also very clear from the outset: we want a stable parliamentary majority of the pro-European groups – cooperation with the far right is a no-go for the Progressives in this House.”
Lara Wolters, S&D MEP and S&D co-negotiator on the package, said:
“The Omnibus package cannot be an excuse to dismantle EU laws that we meticulously designed and democratically adopted to improve people’s lives and strengthen their rights.
“We cannot justify voting in favour of a procedure normally intended for crises, such as Covid or the war of aggression against Ukraine. We are ready to continue negotiations but the European Parliament cannot make the same mistake as the Commission, legislating in a mad rush, to the detriment of quality and stability. This will require a common understanding on how to uphold our standards whilst delivering real simplification for companies.”
Source – S&D Group
AmCham EU position paper: Joint statement in support of a fast-track adoption of the longer transition periods of the CSRD and the CS3D
Brussels, 28 March 2025
Along with 17 other trade associations representing a broad range of interests, AmCham EU is calling on the Members of the Parliament to ensure that the urgency procedure on the delay of both CSRD and CS3D and subsequently the delay itself are both adopted swiftly.
The Proposal for a Directive amending CSRD and CS3D as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and Due diligence requirement (2025/0044), represents a vital step forward for the industry. AmCham EU and the co-signatories urge the Parliament to ensure the vote of the 1st of April solidifies the objectives of simplifications the Commission as laid out.
Cefic: Sustainability Reporting – A tool for competitive advantage?
Sustainability reporting requirements are evolving, driven by changing global trends and priorities. This evolution is materialised by the European Commission’s recent Omnibus package, which focuses on simplifying and streamlining sustainability reporting. At the recent event organised by PwC and Cefic, ‘Meeting Transparency Expectations: Burden or Opportunity?’, companies were invited to discuss their approach to sustainability reporting beyond regulatory aspects. While highlighting the need for regulatory simplification and reducing the regulatory burden, a key message shared by participants was that sustainability reporting can be used as a tool for measurable impact, risk reduction, and long-term progress — potentially turning it into a competitive advantage.
Key implications of the Omnibus for the CSRD
Mary Kate Frisby from the European Commission (DG FISMA) shared the key proposed changes outlined in the Omnibus package, which impact the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These changes include a two-year reporting delay for companies required to report for the financial years 2025 and 2026, a reduction in scope for large companies (those with 1,000+ employees), cutting the total number of reporting companies in scope by around 80%, and additional value chain safeguards. The proposals now require approval from the European Parliament and Council before Member States can implement it.
Main recommendations from participants of the event included:
Clarity and standardisation in reporting
“Simplification of reporting does not mean making this complex matter simple; it means clarification. The latest Omnibus should provide clarity and guidance, helping to create a level playing field for businesses across Europe,” stressed Titta Rosvall-Puplett, Chief Sustainability Officer at Syensqo, at the event. “When used strategically, standardised sustainability reporting can create significant value, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and seize new opportunities while also providing important insights for their stakeholders,” she added.
Regulatory coherence within Member States and beyond Europe is essential for a level playing field, as highlighted by participants. Aligning reporting frameworks can drive efficiencies, foster innovation, and support sustainable development. A globally standardised approach, along with shared case studies, could also enhance Europe’s competitiveness and growth.
A holistic sustainability reporting approach
Eric de Deckere, Cefic’s Sustainability Director, reminded the audience that sustainability rests on three key pillars: people, planet, and prosperity. Therefore, “effective reporting should integrate material financial and non-financial data, helping businesses track progress and drive meaningful changes across these dimensions of sustainability”, he said. Engaging stakeholders in this process can build trust, help identify risks and trends, and foster collaboration, strengthening their sustainability efforts. De Deckere highlighted the Port of Antwerp’s sustainability reporting initiative during the 2008/2009 economic crisis as an example of how integrating sustainability into economic strategies can enhance resilience and future-proofing.
Early engagement with auditors and data quality management in the reporting process
Marc Daelman, PwC audit advisor and VP ESG commission of the Institute of Registered Auditors of Belgium, highlighted the importance of engaging with auditors early in the sustainability reporting compliance process. He recommended that companies create a clear internal roadmap with a detailed timeline and involve auditors from the start to validate each step. This approach helps minimise unexpected challenges, distribute the workload efficiently, and allows time for mitigation. Additionally, Daelman emphasised the importance of defining stakeholder priorities, assigning responsibilities for sustainability reporting, ensuring high data quality through automated data collection, regularly calculating key performance indicators, and implementing internal controls.
These insights can be used by companies to help transform sustainability reporting into a tool for business innovation, transparency, and long-term value creation.
Guiding companies through the CSRD: Cefic’s support
Cefic is committed to supporting its member companies in navigating the CSRD, addressing compliance challenges and reducing regulatory burden. Cefic identifies the CSRD as a clear candidate for simplification and provides recommendations for reducing the burden.
Cefic also commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to develop a CSRD handbook, based on a survey of over 100 chemical companies and discussions with industry professionals. As the regulatory landscape around the CSRD continues to evolve, so will the handbook. Regular updates will incorporate new developments, practical experiences, and industry needs, ensuring it remains a relevant and valuable resource.
Source – Cefic