Expert BRSR reporting services covering BRSR Core compliance, sustainability data management, ESG disclosure, assurance readiness, and SEBI regulatory requirements for listed companies.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) is a disclosure framework mandated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under Regulation 34(2)(f) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. BRSR requires listed companies to report on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance across nine nationally recognized principles of responsible business conduct.
BRSR replaced the earlier Business Responsibility Report (BRR) and represents a significant enhancement in the scope, depth, and rigor of sustainability disclosures required from Indian listed companies. The framework is structured around nine principles covering governance integrity, product safety, employee well-being, stakeholder engagement, human rights, environmental protection, public policy, inclusive growth, and consumer responsibility.
The BRSR framework has two variants: BRSR Core, which contains 98 mandatory quantitative and qualitative metrics, and BRSR Lite, which is a simplified version for companies ranked 1001 and below by market capitalization. SEBI has phased in BRSR requirements starting with the top 250 companies and expanding to the top 1000 companies. ComplianceBridge Advisory helps listed companies navigate the BRSR framework, collect and validate sustainability data, prepare accurate reports, and achieve assurance readiness.
BRSR Core is the mandatory subset of the full BRSR framework containing 98 quantitative and qualitative metrics across all nine principles. It covers detailed disclosures on environmental emissions, energy and water consumption, waste generation, employee demographics, diversity, safety, human rights, community impact, governance structure, and consumer complaints. BRSR Core requires limited assurance from an independent third party for the top 250 companies.
BRSR Lite is a simplified version of the BRSR framework available for listed companies ranked 1001 and below by market capitalization. It contains fewer metrics compared to BRSR Core and focuses on the most material disclosures. While BRSR Lite does not mandate assurance, SEBI encourages voluntary assurance to enhance credibility. The Lite version allows smaller listed companies to report on ESG performance proportionate to their size and capacity.
The BRSR framework is structured around nine principles: (1) Conduct and governance with integrity, (2) Safe goods and services, (3) Employee well-being, (4) Stakeholder engagement, (5) Human rights, (6) Environmental protection, (7) Responsible public policy, (8) Inclusive growth and equitable development, and (9) Consumer value and responsibility. Each principle has specific indicators and disclosures that companies must report.
SEBI has mandated BRSR in phases: FY 2022-23 onwards for Top 250 companies (BRSR Core with limited assurance), FY 2023-24 for Top 1000 companies (BRSR Core), and expansion to additional listed companies in subsequent years. Companies must file their BRSR report as part of their annual report and on the stock exchange filing platform within the prescribed timeline.
We conduct a comprehensive gap analysis to assess the current state of BRSR readiness, identify data gaps, evaluate existing processes and systems, and benchmark against peer disclosures. The gap analysis provides a clear roadmap for achieving BRSR compliance, including resource requirements, timeline, and priority areas for immediate attention.
We design and implement robust data collection, validation, and management systems for sustainability metrics. This includes establishing data governance protocols, setting up measurement methodologies, creating data collection templates, training departmental teams, and implementing data quality controls to ensure accuracy and completeness of all BRSR disclosures.
Our team prepares comprehensive BRSR reports covering all 98 BRSR Core metrics across the nine principles. We ensure proper narrative disclosures, accurate quantitative data, appropriate peer benchmarking, and alignment with SEBI requirements. The report is reviewed at multiple levels to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with the BRSR framework.
We prepare companies for limited or reasonable assurance of their BRSR disclosures by establishing internal controls, documentation protocols, and evidence trails required by assurance providers. We coordinate with assurance providers, address observations and findings, and support the company through the assurance process to achieve a clean assurance report.
We assist with the filing of BRSR reports on the stock exchange platform and in the annual report. Our team ensures timely filing, proper formatting, correct categorization of disclosures, and compliance with all SEBI requirements. We also provide post-filing support for any clarification or rectification requests from the stock exchange.
Environmental metrics include greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3), energy consumption and intensity, water withdrawal and discharge, waste generation and management, biodiversity impact, environmental compliance and fines, and climate change mitigation efforts. Companies must disclose both absolute and intensity-based metrics with year-on-year comparisons.
Social metrics cover employee demographics (gender, age, disability, location), employee turnover, training hours, health and safety (fatalities, injuries, near-misses), diversity and inclusion (board and management), human rights policies and training, community impact, supply chain labor practices, and consumer complaint handling. Detailed disclosures on employee benefits and welfare are also required.
Governance metrics include Board composition (independence, gender diversity, skills matrix), Board committee structure and meetings, anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies, related party transaction disclosures, risk management framework, whistleblower policy, CSR committee details, and business ethics policies. Companies must also disclose governance structure and executive remuneration details.
BRSR Core includes both quantitative metrics (emissions data, energy consumption, employee numbers, safety incidents) and qualitative disclosures (policies, management approaches, targets, and performance). Companies must provide narrative explanations for qualitative indicators and ensure quantitative data is accurate, verifiable, and comparable across reporting periods. Reasonable explanations for any material deviations must be provided.
Our team has comprehensive knowledge of the BRSR framework, SEBI requirements, and industry best practices. We have successfully assisted numerous listed companies in achieving full BRSR compliance across all nine principles and 98 metrics.
We establish robust data governance frameworks that ensure accurate, complete, and verifiable sustainability data. Our systematic approach to data collection, validation, and management reduces reporting risks and enhances the reliability of disclosures.
We prepare companies for assurance by establishing the documentation, controls, and evidence trails required by assurance providers. Our coordination with assurance firms ensures a smooth assurance process and clean assurance reports.
We ensure BRSR reports are prepared, reviewed, and filed well within the regulatory deadlines. Our project management approach ensures all workstreams are tracked and completed on schedule, avoiding last-minute rushes and filing delays.
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BRSR (Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting) is a reporting framework mandated by SEBI for listed companies in India. It requires companies to disclose their performance on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters across nine nationally recognized principles of responsible business conduct.
SEBI has mandated BRSR in a phased manner: Top 250 listed companies must file BRSR Core with limited assurance, Top 1000 companies must file BRSR Core from FY 2023-24, and additional listed companies will be covered subsequently. Companies beyond the top 1000 can file BRSR Lite.
BRSR Core contains 98 mandatory metrics and is required for the top 1000 listed companies. BRSR Lite is a simplified version with fewer metrics for companies ranked 1001 and below. BRSR Core requires limited assurance while BRSR Lite encourages voluntary assurance.
The nine principles are: (1) Integrity in governance, (2) Safe goods and services, (3) Employee well-being, (4) Stakeholder engagement, (5) Human rights, (6) Environmental protection, (7) Responsible public policy, (8) Inclusive growth, and (9) Consumer responsibility. Each principle has specific indicators and disclosure requirements.
BRSR assurance is an independent third-party verification of sustainability data and disclosures. SEBI requires limited assurance for BRSR Core disclosures from the top 250 companies. Assurance can be provided by registered auditors, Company Secretaries, or other professionals recognized by SEBI. The assurance report must be annexed to the BRSR filing.
Our team of BRSR professionals is ready to help you achieve full compliance with SEBI BRSR requirements. From gap analysis to report filing, we provide end-to-end BRSR reporting support.
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