The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) is a regulatory framework introduced by the European Union (EU) to promote sustainable finance and improve transparency in the financial industry. Its main objective is to ensure that investors have access to consistent and reliable information about the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of investment products.
The SFDR applies to financial market participants, including asset managers, investment firms, and insurance companies, as well as investment products offered in the EU.
The SFDR establishes disclosure obligations for financial market participants regarding their integration of sustainability risks and their consideration of adverse sustainability impacts in their investment decision-making processes. It sets out specific requirements for the content, format, and timing of disclosures related to ESG factors.
The regulation also introduces a classification system that categorizes investment products into three levels: Article 6, Article 8, and Article 9, each representing different levels of sustainability focus and ESG integration.
By implementing the SFDR, the EU aims to enhance transparency, comparability, and consistency in sustainable finance practices across the financial industry. It seeks to prevent greenwashing and provide investors with the necessary information to make informed decisions aligned with their sustainability preferences.
The SFDR is part of the broader EU strategy to promote sustainable finance and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient economy.
What are the Classifications of Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR)?
The Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) introduces a classification system to categorize investment products based on their level of sustainability focus and integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The SFDR includes three main categories or levels:
Article 6
This category includes investment products that do not have a specific focus on ESG factors. These products are not promoted as having sustainable or ESG characteristics, and they do not make any claims related to sustainability. However, they still need to comply with the SFDR's disclosure requirements regarding the integration of sustainability risks.
Article 8
Investment products falling under Article 8 have an explicit objective to promote environmental or social characteristics. These products are designed to contribute to sustainability and have sustainable investment as their primary goal. They must provide clear information on the environmental or social characteristics they promote, along with how these characteristics are achieved.
Article 9
This category covers investment products with a specific sustainable investment objective. Article 9 products have a clear focus on ESG factors and aim to have a positive impact on sustainability. They must demonstrate that their investments are aligned with specific environmental or social objectives. Article 9 products typically include funds that explicitly target sustainable development goals, green bonds, or other sustainable financial instruments.
