The Complete CSRD Reporting Timeline: Month-by-Month Guide
Introduction
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is transforming how European companies report on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. While the framework looks complex at first glance, the rollout follows a clear, phased timeline aligned with company size and listing status.
This guide breaks down the CSRD implementation process into a practical, month-by-month roadmap — helping your organisation stay on track from the first planning meeting to your published sustainability report.
The CSRD Rollout at a Glance (2024–2028)
The CSRD applies progressively from 2024 reporting years onward. Each phase targets a different category of companies:
- 2024: Large public-interest entities already subject to the NFRD (approx. 11,000 companies)
- 2025: Other large companies meeting two of three thresholds — €50 million turnover, €25 million balance sheet, or 250+ employees
- 2026: Listed SMEs, small and non-complex credit institutions, and captive insurers
- 2028: Non-EU companies generating €150 million turnover within the EU and with an EU branch or subsidiary
These thresholds are defined in the CSRD Directive (EU) 2022/2464 and form the foundation of your compliance calendar.
Month-by-Month CSRD Timeline
Year 1 – Preparation Phase (Months 1–12)
Objective: Understand obligations, assign responsibilities, and assess data readiness.
| Month | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Confirm if your company falls within the CSRD scope and identify reporting boundaries (consolidated vs individual). |
| 3–4 | Appoint an internal CSRD lead and cross-functional working group (finance, HR, operations). |
| 5–6 | Conduct a double materiality assessment — identifying both impact and financial materiality risks. |
| 7–8 | Map data availability and gaps against ESRS disclosure requirements. |
| 9–10 | Choose reporting approach (manual, software, or hybrid). |
| 11–12 | Draft a roadmap for data collection, assurance, and board-level approval. |
Year 2 – Data Collection and Validation (Months 13–24)
Objective: Build systems and start collecting sustainability data aligned with ESRS.
| Month | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| 13–15 | Implement data collection tools (e.g., for energy, workforce, and emissions metrics). |
| 16–18 | Train staff on data quality and validation procedures. |
| 19–21 | Collect baseline data for KPIs such as energy use, GHG emissions, and diversity ratios. |
| 22–24 | Review data gaps and perform internal validation before external assurance. |
Year 3 – First Reporting and Assurance (Months 25–36)
Objective: Publish the first CSRD-compliant sustainability statement within the management report.
| Month | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| 25–27 | Compile final datasets and narrative disclosures under ESRS 1–12. |
| 28–30 | Submit report for limited assurance (external auditor or accredited verifier). |
| 31–33 | Address assurance feedback and finalise the sustainability section of the management report. |
| 34–36 | Publish and communicate your first CSRD report alongside the annual financial statements. |
Beyond Year 3 – Continuous Improvement (Post-Implementation)
After the first reporting cycle, most companies spend 6–12 months refining their data systems, strengthening supplier engagement, and preparing for reasonable assurance, which is expected to replace limited assurance in future updates to the Directive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do small and growing businesses (SMEs) need to start reporting under CSRD?
Listed small and growing businesses (SMEs) will begin reporting for financial years starting in 2026, with their first reports due in 2027. Non-listed small and growing businesses (SMEs) can use the VSME Standard voluntarily to align with supply chain data requests without full CSRD obligations.
Learn about the VSME Standard →
What happens if my company misses the first reporting deadline?
Delays can lead to non-compliance risks and reputational damage, as sustainability data is increasingly required by investors and lenders. The key is to show a credible plan with timelines and internal accountability. Regulators prioritise progress and transparency in early years.
See how to build a compliance roadmap →
How long does it take to prepare a CSRD report?
Most first-time reporters spend 12–18 months preparing, depending on company size and data maturity. Small and growing businesses (SMEs) starting now can meet 2026–2027 requirements if they launch preparation this year.
Can I reuse existing ESG data for CSRD?
Yes. If you’ve reported under frameworks such as GRI or ISO 14001, much of your environmental data (energy, emissions, waste) can be reused. You’ll need to add double materiality analysis and workforce metrics for full CSRD compliance.
Key Terms
- CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) – EU Directive 2022/2464 establishing mandatory sustainability reporting standards for large and listed companies.
- ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting Standards) – Detailed reporting framework under CSRD defining required disclosures.
- VSME (Voluntary Standard for SMEs) – Simplified framework by EFRAG (2024) for non-listed SMEs.
- Double Materiality – Core principle requiring companies to report both how sustainability issues affect them and how they impact people and the environment.
- Assurance – Independent verification of reported data to ensure reliability and compliance.
Conclusion
Preparing for CSRD is not just about compliance — it’s an opportunity to strengthen data management, stakeholder trust, and long-term strategy. By following a structured month-by-month approach, even smaller organisations can meet reporting obligations with confidence and clarity.
Start early, build internal ownership, and use digital tools to simplify data collection. The earlier you begin, the smoother your first CSRD reporting cycle will be.
As you follow this timeline, use our checklist generator to create a customised data collection checklist that matches your reporting schedule and ensures you don’t miss any critical data points:
Generate Your CSRD Data Collection Checklist
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This tool will help you organise all the data you need to collect throughout the reporting cycle, making it easier to stay on track with the timeline below.