Executive Summary
The International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000 is a new landmark standard that will, for the first time, provide a global baseline for high-quality, independent assurance over sustainability information. This guide provides an overview of ISSA 5000 and its implications for businesses and assurance providers in Malaysia.
What is ISSA 5000?
ISSA 5000 is a new standard developed by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). It is designed to be a comprehensive, stand-alone standard for assurance engagements on sustainability information. The standard is framework-neutral, meaning it can be used to provide assurance on sustainability information prepared under any sustainability reporting framework, such as the GRI Standards or the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.
Key Features of ISSA 5000
- A Focus on Quality: ISSA 5000 is designed to promote high-quality sustainability assurance engagements by establishing a clear set of principles and procedures for assurance providers to follow.
- A Risk-Based Approach: The standard requires assurance providers to take a risk-based approach to their work, focusing on the areas where there is the greatest risk of material misstatement in the sustainability information.
- A Scalable Standard: ISSA 5000 is designed to be scalable, meaning it can be applied to a wide range of assurance engagements, from limited assurance to reasonable assurance.
Implications for Businesses in Malaysia
The introduction of ISSA 5000 will have a number of implications for businesses in Malaysia:
- Increased Demand for Sustainability Assurance: As stakeholders demand more reliable sustainability information, there will be an increased demand for independent assurance over this information.
- Greater Scrutiny of Sustainability Reporting: The new standard will lead to greater scrutiny of sustainability reporting, as assurance providers will be required to perform more rigorous procedures.
- The Need for Robust Systems and Processes: To obtain assurance under ISSA 5000, businesses will need to have robust systems and processes in place for collecting, processing, and reporting their sustainability information.
Related Services
Our Audit & Assurance Services are preparing for the implementation of ISSA 5000. We can help you to understand the new standard and to prepare your business for a sustainability assurance engagement.
Last updated: 15 Oct 2025