---
url: https://eurocomply.app/regulations/csrd/persona/sme
canonical: https://eurocomply.app/regulations/csrd/persona/sme
title: CSRD for SMEs — EuroComply
regulation: CSRD
regulationNumber: (EU) 2022/2464
celex: 32022L2464
persona: SMEs
personaSlug: sme
inForceDate: 2023-01-05
applicationDate: 2024-01-01
sourceUrl: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2464/oj
lastReviewed: 2026-05-12
author: EuroComply Team
license: CC-BY-4.0
---

# CSRD for SMEs

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (Directive (EU) 2022/2464) phases in mandatory sustainability reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The 'Omnibus' simplification proposal (2025) significantly narrowed in-scope SMEs; listed SMEs and certain non-EU SME groups remain in scope subject to the latest threshold revisions.

## Does CSRD apply to smes?

Generally no for non-listed SMEs — they are not directly in scope. Listed SMEs and SMEs that are subsidiaries of large in-scope groups face direct or trickle-down reporting obligations.

**Key considerations:**

- Listed SMEs (on EU-regulated markets) must report under the simplified LSME standard for fiscal years starting on or after 1 January 2026, with reports published in 2027
- An Omnibus opt-out option is being legislated to defer LSME reporting by two years and reduce the data-point burden — track the final adopted text
- Non-listed SMEs are generally out of scope, but face indirect 'trickle-down' requests from in-scope customers (large undertakings) under their value-chain reporting duty
- The voluntary Vsme standard published by EFRAG is the recommended common format for value-chain data requests, capping reporting burden on out-of-scope SMEs

## Underlying CSRD facts

**Full name:** Directive (EU) 2022/2464 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards corporate sustainability reporting.

**Maximum fine:** Penalties set by national law; reporting non-compliance may trigger statutory audit qualifications and securities-regulator action.

**Key dates:**

- 2023-01-05 — Entry into force (Article 5)
- 2024-01-01 — First reporting year (FY2024) for large public-interest entities (NFRD predecessors) (Article 5(2))
- 2025-01-01 — First reporting year for other large undertakings (subject to Omnibus 2-year deferral) (Article 5(2))
- 2026-01-01 — First reporting year for listed SMEs (LSME standard) — subject to Omnibus 2-year deferral (Article 5(2))
- 2028-01-01 — First reporting year for certain non-EU groups (Article 5(2))

## Recommended next step

[Read the CSRD compliance guide](https://eurocomply.app/regulations/csrd)

## Related EuroComply resources

- Full CSRD compliance guide: [/regulations/csrd](https://eurocomply.app/regulations/csrd)
- Markdown companion: [/regulations/csrd.md](https://eurocomply.app/regulations/csrd.md)

## Source

Authoritative text: [(EU) 2022/2464 — EUR-Lex](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2464/oj) (OJ L 322, 16.12.2022, p. 15–80).

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Informational only. Not legal advice — consult qualified legal counsel.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-12 by the EuroComply Team. License: CC-BY-4.0.