SSBJ Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Application, General, Climate)

Japan implements EPR through a stack of product-specific recycling laws, with manufacturers and importers funding take-back and recycling for packaging (JCPRA), large home appliances (AEHA), small electronics, end-of-life vehicles (JARC) and batteries (JBRC). MOE and METI jointly oversee the system, with consumers and retailers each carrying defined collection roles.

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

Containers and Packaging Recycling Act fully effective 2000 (PET 1997); Home Appliance Recycling Act effective 1 April 2001; ELV Recycling Act fully effective 1 January 2005; Small Home Appliance Recycling Act effective 1 April 2013

Covered entities

Manufacturers, importers and users of containers and packaging (PET, glass, paper, plastic); manufacturers of four covered home appliances (TVs, fridges, washing machines, ACs); small appliance producers; vehicle manufacturers; battery producers

Australia has issued ISSB-aligned sustainability standards. AASB S2 (climate) is mandatory under the Corporations Act for in-scope entities; AASB S1 (broader sustainability) is voluntary.

Enforcement

AASB S1: voluntary. AASB S2: mandatory under Corporations Act 2001 for in-scope entities.

Effective date

Annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 (phased by entity size)

Covered entities

Group 1, 2, 3 entities under AASB thresholds (large entities first; phased rollout to mid-size and smaller large entities)

The UK government has endorsed IFRS S1 and S2 as UK SRS S1 and S2 for voluntary use. The FCA is consulting on listing rules that would make UK SRS S2 mandatory for listed issuers, with Scope 3 and non-climate sustainability on a comply-or-explain basis.

Enforcement

Voluntary at publication. FCA proposes mandatory UK SRS S2 for listed issuers (Scope 3 and broader sustainability on comply-or-explain).

Effective date

TBD pending FCA listing-rule outcome

Covered entities

Any UK entity (voluntary). FCA proposal targets in-scope listed issuers.

CSSB issued final CSDS 1 and CSDS 2 on 18 December 2024, aligned with IFRS S1 and S2 with extra transition reliefs. Standards are voluntary. The CSA paused its mandatory climate disclosure rulemaking on 23 April 2025.

Enforcement

Voluntary

Effective date

Annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025 (with transition reliefs)

Covered entities

Any Canadian entity (voluntary). CSA paused work on mandatory rule citing global developments.

HKICPA published HKFRS S1 and HKFRS S2 on 12 December 2024, fully aligned with IFRS S1 and S2. The Hong Kong SAR Government's December 2024 Roadmap sets out the phased path to mandatory adoption for publicly accountable entities.

Enforcement

Voluntary at HKICPA level. The Hong Kong SAR Government's roadmap (10 December 2024) sets out phased mandatory adoption for publicly accountable entities.

Effective date

Annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 August 2025

Covered entities

Any Hong Kong entity (voluntary). Mandatory phased rollout per government roadmap.

In December 2023, Bangladesh Bank issued a circular mandating IFRS S1 and S2 disclosures by all banks and financial institutions it regulates, with limited assurance required from the second year of reporting.

Enforcement

Mandatory

Effective date

Annual reports for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2024

Covered entities

Listed and non-listed banks and finance companies regulated by Bangladesh Bank, including foreign banks and finance companies operating in Bangladesh