For many large companies across Europe, 2017 marks the introduction of new non-financial reporting requirements addressing issues such as human rights and corruption for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2017.

Member States were required to introduce the provisions of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive 2014/95/EU (the Directive) by 6 December 2016. The Directive amends and expands the reporting requirements in Directive 2013/34/EU (the Accounting Directive). It also seeks to harmonise EU-wide corporate reporting requirements, and requires certain large companies to report on a range of non-financial matters relating to their business. This includes reporting in respect of human rights, the environment, employee protections, anti-corruption and bribery and the diversity of management boards.