New Zealand adopts ISSA 5000, strengthening sustainability assurance

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Editor

New Zealand has taken a further step in strengthening trust in sustainability reporting, with the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board adopting its local equivalent of ISSA 5000.

Issued under the External Reporting Board, the standard takes effect from 9 April 2026 and sets out general requirements for sustainability assurance engagements.

Developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, ISSA 5000 provides a principles-based framework designed to improve the credibility and consistency of sustainability disclosures. It introduces requirements across key areas including risk assessment, evidence gathering and reporting.

The standard is framework-agnostic and can be applied across different reporting regimes, including those from the International Sustainability Standards Board. This supports consistent assurance practices as sustainability reporting continues to expand globally.

For New Zealand, where climate-related disclosures are already mandatory for many entities, the standard marks a shift towards more robust verification of reported information. It also reinforces the role of assurance in improving data quality and building confidence among investors and other stakeholders.

Access the standard on the XRB website.