Definitions (Ref: Para. 18)Definitions (Ref: Para. 18)

Definitions (Ref: Para. 18)

Assertions

A16R. Assertions are used by practitioners to consider the different types of potential misstatements that may occur when identifying and assessing, and responding to, the risks of material misstatement in a reasonable assurance engagement. Examples of assertions are provided in paragraph A415R.

Component

2. The framework criteria may specify that the sustainability information to be reported should be for the same reporting entity as the related financial report (see also paragraph A35). For purposes of the ASSAs, components that include entities or business units required to be included in the reporting entity’s group financial report (e.g., subsidiaries of a parent entity) are referred to as group components. The framework criteria may also require the sustainability information to be extended to include information from other entities that are part of the reporting entity’s upstream or downstream value chain. For purposes of the ASSAs, components that include such entities are referred to as value chain components.

Component Practitioner

1. A component practitioner may comprise individuals from a network firm, a firm that is not a network firm, or another office within the practitioner’s firm.
2. In limited circumstances, the practitioner may be able to be sufficiently and appropriately involved in the work of another firm at a value chain component. For example, the reporting entity may have a direct business relationship with a supplier that allows management to arrange for the practitioner to obtain access to information at that entity or access to the firm that has performed work on that information. In those circumstances, if the practitioner intends to use such work and is able to be sufficiently and appropriately involved in the work, the other firm is a component practitioner for purposes of the ASSAs.

Criteria

1. The criteria, particularly framework criteria, may include guidance about the sustainability matters (including the topics and aspects of topics) to be reported. The criteria also may establish how those sustainability matters are to be measured or evaluated, and how they are to be presented or disclosed.

Disclosure(s)

1. The term “disclosure(s)” is used in this ASSA in the context of sustainability assurance engagements and refers to sustainability information about an aspect of a topic. Accordingly, it is not intended to have the same meaning as “financial statement disclosures” as defined or described in financial reporting frameworks.
2. Appendix 1 explains the relationship between sustainability matters, sustainability information and the related disclosures. Disclosure(s) may include quantitative or qualitative information and can vary in form and length. Management’s disclosures provide a starting point in considering whether and how certain disclosures may be combined by the practitioner for the purpose of planning and performing the engagement (see also paragraphs A285–A287).