On 14 April 2025, the Council of the EU, following Omnibus I & II, gave its final approval to a key legislative development aimed at simplifying EU sustainability rules, officially endorsing the “Stop-the-Clock” directive. This directive grants a two-year extension for large companies that have not yet started reporting and listed SMEs to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
This move is not a retreat from sustainability, quite the opposite, it offers the much-needed breathing space for businesses to properly prepare for the new reporting and due diligence requirements, not delay action. As explicitly stated by the Council, the obligation to comply still stands and the extension is intended to allow companies more time to get ready and meet their obligations.
Ιt is critical to underline that the legal obligations currently in force in Greece remain unchanged. Until the new Directive is published in the EU Official Journal and transposed into national law — by 31 December 2025 — Law 5164/2024 and its existing deadlines and sanctions continue to apply.
Therefore, Greek entities must not interpret this EU-level postponement as a reason to pause their compliance efforts. On the contrary, this is a strategic window to invest in meaningful ESG preparation and implementation.
At Nicolas Kanellopoulos – Chara Zerva & Associates Law Firm – NKLaw Firm, we support organizations in navigating this evolving legal landscape, transforming compliance obligations into tailored business strategies.
Reach out to explore how we can help your company stay ahead and prepare with confidence.