ICAI rolls out SSA 5000 to align India’s sustainability assurance with global norms from April 2027
Sep 21, 2026
New standard aligned with IAASB’s ISSA 5000, with India specific carveouts; applicable to financial years beginning on or after April 1, 2027.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has issued a new standard for sustainability assurance that aligns India’s framework with global standards and is set to come into force for financial years beginning on or after April 1, 2027.
The new standard, SSA 5000, General Requirements & Framework for Sustainability Assurance Engagements, is aligned with the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board’s (IAASB) International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, while incorporating specific carveouts for the Indian context.
The framework is aimed at establishing a consistent basis for sustainability assurance engagements as reporting requirements evolve and sustainability information assumes greater importance for investors and other stakeholders.
New framework for sustainability assurance
SSA 5000 provides a principle based framework for sustainability assurance engagements and is designed to accommodate diverse reporting frameworks while maintaining consistency in assurance requirements.
ICAI said the implementation of the new standard will broaden the scope of sustainability assurance while accommodating different reporting frameworks with uniform rigour.
The standard is intended to provide greater consistency in the way sustainability information is subject to assurance and address emerging reporting requirements.
Alignment with global standards
The Indian framework has been aligned with IAASB’s ISSA 5000, with specific carveouts incorporated to reflect the Indian context.
CA. Prasanna Kumar D, President of ICAI, said, "SSA 5000 elevates sustainability assurance in India to global standards, a comprehensive, principle based framework crafted to inspire enduring confidence among investors and stakeholders."
He added, "with ICAI issuing SSA 5000, India becomes globally aligned with the world."
The move brings India’s sustainability assurance framework closer to the international approach while retaining provisions tailored to the domestic environment.
Existing standards to stand withdrawn
The introduction of SSA 5000 will also mark a transition from the existing sustainability assurance framework. SSAE 3000 and SAE 3410 will stand withdrawn once SSA 5000 comes into force, according to ICAI.
SSAE 3000 is the existing general standard for assurance engagements on sustainability information, while SAE 3410 deals specifically with assurance engagements on greenhouse gas statements.
The new framework is intended to provide a common principle based approach covering sustainability assurance engagements across different reporting frameworks.
Effective from April 2027
SSA 5000 and the accompanying framework will come into force for financial years beginning on or after April 1, 2027.
CA. Mangesh Kinare, Vice President of ICAI, said, "SSA 5000 broadens the ambit of sustainability assurance while accommodating diverse reporting frameworks with equal rigour and consistency."
ICAI said the implementation of the standard is aimed at addressing emerging reporting demands while maintaining stakeholder confidence in corporate sustainability disclosures.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, for the regulation and development of the chartered accountancy profession in India. It functions under the administrative supervision of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
[ET CFO]
