Introduction:

In today's business landscape, sustainable finance has emerged as a vital consideration for companies and investors alike. Recognizing the significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, the European Union (EU) has taken the lead in promoting sustainable finance through regulations and initiatives. One such regulation is the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), enacted by the EU in 2019. In this blog post, we will explore the key aspects of SFDR and its implications for businesses operating within the EU.

For the convenience of financial market participants preparing the financial product disclosures referred to in Articles 6, 8, and 11 of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088), the three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) provide an editable version of the templates contained in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/363.

‍

The Purpose and Scope of SFDR:

SFDR aims to standardize sustainability disclosure requirements for financial market participants (FMPs) and advisers. FMPs encompass various entities involved in the financial sector, including insurance undertakings, investment firms, institutions for occupational retirement provision, pension product manufacturers, alternative investment fund managers, pan-European personal pension product providers, venture capital fund managers, social entrepreneurship fund managers, UCITS management companies, and credit institutions offering portfolio management services.

SFDR mandates that these FMPs and advisers make sustainability-related disclosures at both the entity and product levels. These disclosures enable investors to access reliable and comparable information about the sustainability characteristics and potential impact of their investments.

‍

Fund categories:

SFDR categorizes funds into three groups based on their sustainability focus. Article 6 covers funds that don't integrate sustainability into their investment process but need to disclose how they manage sustainability risks. Article 8 applies to funds that promote environmental or social characteristics and requires clear communication of their intentions and reporting of outcomes. Article 9 applies to funds with a specific focus on sustainable investments and demands comprehensive disclosures about objectives, impacts, and carbon footprint reduction goals.

‍

Key Provisions of SFDR:

a) Transparency of sustainability risk policies: Financial market participants must publish on their websites information about their policies on integrating sustainability risks into their investment decision-making process. Financial advisers also need to disclose their policies on integrating sustainability risks in their investment advice or insurance advice.

b) Transparency of adverse sustainability impacts at the entity level: FMPs must publish and maintain on their websites statements regarding the due diligence policies on principal adverse impacts of investment decisions on sustainability factors. This includes information on the identification and prioritization of adverse sustainability impacts, engagement policies, adherence to responsible business conduct codes, and alignment with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

c) Transparency of remuneration policies: Financial market participants and advisers must include information in their remuneration policies on how those policies are consistent with the integration of sustainability risks. This information should be published on their websites.

d) Transparency of the integration of sustainability risks: FMPs and advisers need to include descriptions in pre-contractual disclosures regarding how sustainability risks are integrated into their investment decisions or advice. They should also disclose the likely impacts of sustainability risks on the returns of financial products.

e) Transparency of adverse sustainability impacts at the financial product level: FMPs must disclose, in pre-contractual disclosures, clear explanations of whether and how financial products consider principal adverse impacts on sustainability factors. If adverse impacts are not considered, reasons for such omission should be provided. These disclosures should be made by December 2022.

f) Transparency of the promotion of environmental or social characteristics: When financial products promote environmental or social characteristics, disclosures should include information on how those characteristics are met and whether designated indices are consistent with those characteristics.

g) Transparency of sustainable investments: For financial products with sustainable investment objectives, disclosures should include information on how designated indices align with those objectives. If no index is designated, an explanation of how the objective is to be attained should be provided. In the case of carbon emissions reduction objectives, disclosures should highlight the objective of low carbon emission exposure in line with the long-term global warming objectives of the Paris Agreement.

h) Transparency on websites: Financial market participants should publish and maintain on their websites information regarding environmental or social characteristics, sustainable investment objectives, methodologies used to assess environmental or social characteristics, and the impact of sustainable investments. These disclosures should be accurate, fair, clear, not misleading, simple, and easily accessible.

i) Transparency in periodic reports: Financial market participants should include descriptions of environmental or social characteristics or overall sustainability-related impacts in periodic reports. These reports should be made in accordance with the respective sectoral legislation.

‍

Reporting:

For the convenience of financial market participants preparing the financial product disclosures referred to in Articles 8,9, and 11 of the SFDR (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088), the three European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA, and ESMA) provide an editable version of the templates contained in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/363.

By utilizing the templates provided by the European Supervisory Authorities, financial market participants can streamline their disclosure preparations. These templates encompass the essential information required for financial product disclosures, including descriptions of environmental or social characteristics, methodologies used for assessing sustainability impact, and alignment with designated indices and applicable fund categories.

Find the templates here.

‍

Conclusion:

The EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is a comprehensive framework that aims to enhance transparency and standardize sustainability disclosures within the financial sector. By imposing obligations on financial market participants and advisers, SFDR empowers investors to make informed decisions aligned with their sustainability preferences. Businesses operating within the EU need to understand and comply with SFDR's provisions to enhance sustainability integration, improve investor confidence, and capitalize on the opportunities presented by the growing demand for sustainable finance. As the EU continues to lead the way in sustainable finance, embracing SFDR will become increasingly crucial for businesses operating in the European financial landscape.
‍

Note: The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Organizations should consult with legal and compliance professionals to ensure accurate interpretation and implementation of SFDR requirements.