JSE-listed financial services company Alexforbes has launched a National Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Sustainability Reporting Market Sentiment Survey to assess market sentiment, understanding, adoption, readiness and implementation costs related to sustainability reporting in South Africa. 

The company explains that the survey will evaluate broad-based market sentiment, independent of specific market segments or stakeholders and includes elements of a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) commissioned by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic). 

The RIA will assess the potential adoption of the International Sustainability Standards Board’s Sustainability Disclosure Standards in South Africa.

Alexforbes says findings from the survey and the RIA will inform policy and legislative positions on sustainability-related disclosures under the Companies Act.

The survey is enabled by distribution associates, including the JSE Limited, The Institute of Directors South Africa, the National Business Initiative, Genesis Analytics and Paragon Impact.

Managed by Alexforbes, the survey will be open from February 3 to March 14.

“The RIA process, as an activity aligned with the national policy development framework, requires appropriate attention. Companies, particularly those subject to mandatory audits under Regulation 28 of the Companies Regulations, 2011, are encouraged to actively participate in the survey,” says CIPC Commissioner advocate Rory Voller.

“At Alexforbes, we believe impact and advice should be guided by insight. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our own actions to how we shape the market. We are therefore pleased to collaborate with CIPC on this significant and timely initiative,” says Alexforbes governance, legal, compliance and sustainability executive Carina Wessels.

“Organisations of all types and sizes are encouraged to take part in the research and contribute to shaping the future of sustainability reporting in South Africa. Organisations that have not received the survey request from a distribution associate are welcome to contact us to participate,” adds Alexforbes sustainability head Lee Swan.