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2022 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Harmonisation or Standardisation of Non-financial Reporting in European Union: The Role of Regulation

Authors : Silvia Testarmata, Mirella Ciaburri

Published in: Non-financial Disclosure and Integrated Reporting

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The Non-financial Reporting Directive (2014/95/EU) has the main purpose of enhancing the consistency and comparability of NFR. However, the high flexibility the NFR Directive allows to companies in providing NFI seems to go against the main aim of comparability, because companies can rely on a wide range of reporting frameworks and guidelines. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to examine in what manner voluntary reporting frameworks are used to comply with the NFR Directive.

Using content analysis, a comparison between voluntary reporting frameworks and NFR Directive requirements is developed for providing insights into the relation between voluntary and mandatory disclosure of NFI. As a result, this chapter enriches the emerging debate on the NFR Directive shedding light on the harmonisation challenge posed by the NFR Directive and highlighting the most suitable frameworks with the NFR Directive requirements.

The research results of this study can be used to improve future public policies and practices on the NFR Directive implementation, specifically with regard to the adoption of reporting frameworks. Because of the interpretative nature of this study, other researchers may not draw the same conclusions from the evidence provided. Finally, it leaves some open questions for a wide research agenda about NFR standardisation.

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Title: Harmonisation or Standardisation of Non-financial Reporting in European Union: The Role of Regulation
Authors: Silvia Testarmata
Mirella Ciaburri
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: Non-financial Disclosure and Integrated Reporting
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-90354-1

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-90355-8

Copyright Year: 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90355-8_17

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