ICAI Issues 'SSA 5000' to Align Sustainability Assurance with Global Standards
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) issued 'Standard on Sustainability Assurance (SSA) 5000 — General Requirements & Framework for Sustainability Assurance Engagements', a principle-based framework covering climate, labour practices and biodiversity. It aligns India with ISSA 5000 of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), with India-specific carve-outs for joint audits and forward-looking statements. SSA 5000 applies from 1 April 2027, when the existing SSAE 3000 and SAE 3410 stand withdrawn. ICAI expects the framework to standardise sustainability assurance across firms, strengthen stakeholder confidence in sustainability disclosures and help address greenwashing in corporate reporting.
ICAI was established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and came into existence on 1 July 1949 | ICAI is headquartered in New Delhi and is headed by President CA Prasanna Kumar D | 1 July is observed as Chartered Accountants Day