Structured reporting using XBRL
Digital strategy
Our digital strategy is aligned with our core mission of establishing standards for ESG disclosure that facilitate communication between companies and investors. We have developed a suite of integration options to help organisations incorporate SASB Standards into their platforms and commercial activities. Asset managers and asset owners; banks; data, analytics, and research firms; and corporate reporting software companies all license SASB frameworks and data.
XBRL
XBRL can make digital reporting easier for issuers and data aggregation & analytics easier for investors. We have been proactive in developing an XBRL version of the SASB Standards taxonomy.
In 2020, we announced an engagement with PwC to support in the development of the SASB Standards XBRL taxonomy. In September 2021, the SASB Standards XBRL taxonomy became available for public use. For more information, please visit our blog post here.
Download XBRL taxonomy & supplemental materials
The SASB Standards XBRL Taxonomy will be updated to reflect the recent changes to SASB Standards (as released on June 26th). It will occur after the public release of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Taxonomy expected to happen in H1 2024. This release schedule will ensure consistency between the SASB Standards Taxonomy and the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Taxonomy.
- SASB XBRL Taxonomy – Version 2022-07-21 (Current)
- SASB XBRL Taxonomy – Version 2021-08-23 (Deprecated)
- Preparer Guide
Note: The aim is to work with all market participants to ensure the SASB Standards XBRL Taxonomy is available and widely used. The examples below are not intended to be an endorsement of any software platform. Rather, they are meant to highlight how the taxonomy can be used once it is integrated into a software platform.
Browse XBRL taxonomy online — Workiva
Browse taxonomy using Workiva’s Wdesk Taxonomy Analyzer.
Download Workiva WDesk Guide to Tag SASB Data
Workiva has integrated SASB Standards XBRL Taxonomy and showcased two distinct scenarios:
1. Stand alone as SASB 2021
2. Coexisting with GAAP 2021 as GAAP2021 (SASB 2021)
The older draft version of the taxonomy can also be viewed at – https://app.wdesk.com/taxonomy-analyzer/#taxonomies/SASB_2021_BETA
Browse XBRL taxonomy online — CoreFiling
Browse taxonomy using CoreFiling BigFoot taxonomy library.
Download CoreFiling Seahorse Introductory Guide
XBRL filings
As part of a proof of concept project, leading issuers voluntarily tagged their filings using the SASB Standards XBRL taxonomy.
Public comment letters
Comment letters are posted in the order of receipt.
- XBRL US Domain Steering Committee, February 22nd, 2021
- Charles Hoffman, March 2nd, 2021
- Ninel Nesheva-Kiosseva, March 3rd, 2021
- Sami Lundgren, March 9th, 2021
- Fujitsu, March 21st, 2021
- Dr. Albert Chou, March 18th, 2021
- Suffolk University Boston, March 24th, 2021
- IRIS, April 4th, 2021
- Financial Reporting Council, April 20th, 2021
- Clarity AI, April 21st, 2021
- Nimet Vural, April 21st, 2021
- XBRL International Taxonomy Architecture Guidance Task Force, April 21st, 2021
- CalcBench, April 29th, 2021
- Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF), May 3rd, 2021
- idaciti, May 3rd, 2021
- Bank of America, May 4th, 2021
- S&P Global, May 12th, 2021
Give feedback
The public comment period was open for 60 days and ended on May 3rd, 2021. We reviewed the public comments received and have incorporated several recommendations. If you would like to provide additional feedback, please use the link below to do so.
Additional information
SASB held a webinar with XBRL US to discuss the SASB Standards and our vision for structured reporting using XBRL, including a demonstration of SASB’s XBRL taxonomy and panel discussions about how the process of preparing, extracting, and analyzing machine-readable ESG data will work in practice.

SASB utilises Fujitsu XWand tools in its XBRL taxonomy creation process to enable structured reporting on SASB Standards.