Integrated indicator codes
About the data
Why is this important?
Reporting standards help standardize non-financial disclosures. By integrating indicator codes in their reports, companies signal to readers which methodology was used to collect, analyze and disclose the data, avoiding the risk of misinterpretation.
Context:
Although an index is a helpful tool for readers to identify and locate relevant data, best practice is to place indicator codes next to corresponding disclosures. This not only helps the human audience quickly identify key information, but also improves machine readability through the use of these metadata tags.
Methodology
An index is typically found toward the end of a report, possibly in an appendix.
Use keyword searches to look for indicator codes.
Different reporting frameworks use different codes so make sure to check which framework the company uses and which codes are part of that framework. For example, the CSRD's ESRS will use codes like E1-2 or S1-14, whilst GRI has codes like GRI 305-1-a.
Select the answer option ‘Alongside disclosure’ if the indicators are listed in line with the relevant text OR on the same page.
Note: High-level codes in titles of sections (for instance “E1 Climate Change” for an CSRD aligned report) is NOT sufficient to qualify for ‘alongside disclosures' as it is too high-level for it to function as a consistent system that helps identify specific disclosures.
Note: If an index includes chapter references that is not sufficient, but if it includes direct links to the sections of the report where the indicator in question is disclosed that is sufficient.
Companies might be referencing indicator codes on the page AND in an index so make sure to check for both and select as many answer options as apply.
In the comments add the page number of the index or an example page where a reviewer could see the indicator codes are integrated alongside disclosures.