Business Responsibility & Sustainability Reporting - BRSR

BRSR is a comprehensive disclosure framework that helps companies disclose their environmental (E), social(S), and governance(G) and it’s a single source for disclosing ESG-related information in India. Companies that disclose BRSR have experienced long-term advantages in market positioning, gained investor trust, enhanced brand reputation, and achieved operational resilience. This framework lays the foundation of Indian sustainability reporting.

BRSR came into effect on 10th May 2021. SEBI was mandated to report under this framework for the top 1000 listed entities either by NSE or BSE. It is based on the nine principles of “National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct or NGRBCs” issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCAs).

• BRSR Principle 1: Businesses should conduct and govern themselves with integrity, and in a manner that is ethical, transparent, and accountable.
• BRSR Principle 2: Businesses should provide goods and services in a manner that is sustainable and safe.
• BRSR Principle 3: Businesses should respect and promote the well-being of all employees, including those in their value chains.
• BRSR Principle 4: Businesses should respect the interests of and be responsive to all their stakeholders.
• BRSR Principle 5: Businesses should respect and promote human rights.
• BRSR Principle 6: Businesses should respect and make efforts to protect and restore the environment.
• BRSR Principle 7: Businesses, when engaging in influencing public and regulatory policy, should do so in a manner that is responsible and transparent.
• BRSR Principle 8: Businesses should promote inclusive growth and equitable development.
• BRSR Principle 9: Businesses should engage with and provide value to their consumers in a responsible manner.

BRSR is aligned with global standards and frameworks, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Reporting is mandatory for Top 1000 listed companies mandated by BSE or NSE.

A circular issued in July 2023, SEBI has mandated reasonable assurance of the BRSR Core metrics and ESG disclosures about the value chain of top-listed entities to strengthen the BRSR framework.

• Top-line growth: A strong ESG proposition assists companies in tapping new markets and expanding into existing ones.
• Increased value creation: Companies that have embraced BRSR disclosure have demonstrated significantly better performance compared to their competitors.
• Access to markets and increased market share: Businesses have recognized that the BRSR influences investor decisions concerning governance structures. BRSR /ESG will be as important as credit rating, ESG performance along with financial performance will be prime considerations to get access to capital.
• Reduced financial risks: Amid increasing demands for transparency, companies have successfully reduced their financial risks. Banks will start looking at ESG performance more closely.
• Obtaining “social license to operate”: Businesses have come to realize that it is the communities, rather than governments, that provide them the "license to operate." Through sustainability reporting, companies can transparently convey their strategies and initiatives, thereby facilitating the attainment of the social approval essential for their ongoing operations.
• Attracting and retaining talent: In today’s world, GenZ is making decisions based on ESG actions undertaken by companies, which reflect the organization's commitment to these principles, aligning with the personal values of employees and promoting increased loyalty.

• Scorecard to assess existing maturity
• Stakeholder’s engagement to identify KPI’s
• Lack of well-structured training content
• Revamping and building policies from scratch
• Manual Data collection, consolidation and calculation
• Producing reports in PDF and XBRL format

The cost of BRSR services depends on various factors, including your company's size, sector, number of sites, policy development needs, and overall complexity. Additionally, the type of support required—whether for service implementation or verification—can also influence the duration and cost of assurance. Due to these variables, providing a standard lump sum for BRSR services is not feasible. We would be delighted to prepare a customized offer tailored to the specific needs of your company, organization, or agency.

• Support Services: DQS India provides you with valuable support with its comprehensive technical and industry expertise.
• Assurance Services: Auditors with in-depth knowledge of standards and industries.
• Verification with international acceptance.
• Individually calculated offers