The proposed-mandatory dates depend on the FCA Policy Statement
The dates shown above for the Effect track are proposed, not yet legally binding. They depend on the FCA's autumn 2026 Policy Statement on CP26/5.
UK SRS itself contains no effective date clauses. Those come from the FCA for SRS compliance companies, or from future Government consultation for private companies.
The standards published 25 February 2026 are available for voluntary adoption immediately.
What happens when CP26/5 is finalised
The FCA's CP26/5 consultation closed on 20 March 2026. The Policy Statement, expected autumn 2026, will confirm or modify the proposed rules.
The 1 January 2027 effective date applies to accounting periods beginning on or after that date — not to reports published after that date.
When the first mandatory reports appear
| Financial year-end | First proposed-mandatory period | First report published (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| 31 December | 1 Jan 2027 to 31 Dec 2027 | Spring 2028 (March–April) |
| 31 March | 1 Apr 2027 to 31 Mar 2028 | Summer 2028 (June–August) |
| 30 June | 1 Jul 2027 to 30 Jun 2028 | Autumn 2028 |
| 30 September | 1 Oct 2027 to 30 Sep 2028 | Winter 2028–29 |
For a typical FTSE 350 company with December year-end, this gives an 18-month window from publication (February 2026) to first report.
Most of that goes to data systems, materiality assessment, scenario analysis, and assurance preparation.
The Scope 3 transitional treatment
FCA CP26/5 proposes who must comply can omit Scope 3 emissions in their first year of mandatory reporting S2 climate standard (paragraphs 3.9 and 8.6).
From accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2028, Scope 3 reporting moves to comply-or-explain across all 15 GHG Protocol categories where material.
This recognises the data challenges in value chain emissions reporting while maintaining disclosure expectations.
UK SRS S1 timeline
The conceptual foundation elements of S1 standard — definitions of materiality, scope of value chain, financial-statement connectivity — apply from January 2027 alongside UK SRS S2 because S2 requirements cannot be applied without them.
The broader general sustainability disclosures move to comply-or-explain from January 2029 under FCA CP26/5.
This creates a logical implementation timeline sequence: climate first (SRS S2), then broader sustainability (SRS S1), with foundational concepts applying throughout.
Frequently asked questions
When does UK SRS become mandatory?
UK SRS S2 is proposed mandatory for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027, under FCA CP26/5.
The FCA's final Policy Statement is expected autumn 2026. UK SRS itself contains no effective date clauses.
Is UK SRS available now?
Yes, for voluntary use. The standards were published by DBT on 25 February 2026 and are available immediately for voluntary adoption.
Mandatory application for listed companies is subject to the FCA's CP26/5 proposals.
What is the Scope 3 carve-out?
FCA CP26/5 proposes that companies can omit Scope 3 emissions in the first year of mandatory reporting.
From accounting periods beginning 1 January 2028, Scope 3 moves to comply-or-explain across all 15 GHG Protocol categories where material.
When are the first mandatory reports published?
For companies with December year-ends — typical for FTSE 350 — the first mandatory accounting period begins 1 January 2027 and the first report typically publishes in spring 2028.
Year-ends in March, June, or September produce later first reports through 2028 and into 2029.
When does UK SRS S1 become mandatory?
Under CP26/5, UK SRS S1 (broader sustainability) moves to comply-or-explain for accounting periods beginning 1 January 2029.
The conceptual foundation elements of S1 — materiality definitions, value-chain scope, financial-statement connectivity — apply from January 2027 alongside S2.
How does ISSA (UK) 5000 fit the timeline?
The FRC published ISSA (UK) 5000, the UK sustainability assurance standard, on 12 November 2025.
It becomes effective on 15 December 2026, giving assurance providers time to align with the new framework before UK SRS S2 mandatory disclosures begin.
