What is an example of an external assurance provider?

An independent auditor or consultancy specializing in sustainability is considered an external assurance provider because it operates independently from the organization it evaluates. Such providers are tasked with assessing and verifying the accuracy and reliability of sustainability reports, ensuring that claims made by organizations can be trusted by stakeholders. They possess expertise in the relevant standards and criteria for sustainability practices, providing an objective review that enhances the credibility of the organization’s reporting.

In contrast, a corporate internal audit team, while involved in auditing functions, operates within the organization and is not considered an external provider. The organization's board of directors is responsible for governance and oversight but does not serve as an independent assurance provider. A government regulatory body, although it may conduct reviews and checks, does not typically function as an assurance provider in the sense of evaluating sustainability reports independently, as it has different roles focused more on compliance and regulation.