At the EFTTA Angling Summit 2025, the practical implications of sustainability reporting were illustrated through an industry case study presented by Rapala VMC, sharing first-hand experience with CSRD implementation. The presentation highlighted the complexity, costs and internal resources required to comply with the initial reporting framework, even for large, well-structured companies.
Only a few weeks later, these discussions are now followed by concrete political progress at EU level.
On 8–9 December 2025, negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement to substantially simplify the EU rules on corporate sustainability reporting (CSRD) and corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDDD / CS3D). The agreement forms part of the European Commission’s Omnibus I simplification package, aimed at reducing administrative burden while safeguarding core sustainability objectives.
For the fishing tackle sector – where the vast majority of companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – this agreement represents a significant and positive development. Here are the key chances at a glance.
Narrower scope, less burden for the Tackle Trade
Sustainability Reporting (CSRD)
Mandatory sustainability reporting will apply only to very large companies:
• EU companies with more than 1,000 employees and
• annual turnover above €450 million.
For non-EU companies, the same €450 million threshold applies to turnover generated within the EU.
Key improvements include:
• Listed SMEs are removed from the scope of the directive.
• Companies with fewer than 1,000 employees are explicitly protected against “trickle-down” reporting requests from larger customers.
• Sector-specific reporting standards will become voluntary, not mandatory.
• Reporting requirements will be more quantitative and streamlined.
• The Commission will establish a digital portal with templates and guidance to support businesses.
These changes directly address concerns raised during the Summit about disproportionate compliance costs and legal uncertainty for smaller tackle companies.
Due Diligence (CSDDD / CS3D)
Mandatory due diligence obligations will apply only to very large corporations:
• more than 5,000 employees, and
• annual turnover above €1.5 billion.
Additional simplifications include:
• A risk-based approach, limiting unnecessary information requests along supply chains.
• Removal of the obligation to prepare a Paris-alignment transition plan.
• Enforcement and liability remain at national level, not EU level.
• A postponed transposition deadline to July 2028, with compliance required from July 2029.
Why this matters – Summit discussions turning into action
At the EFTTA Angling Summit, industry speakers highlighted the need for realistic, proportionate sustainability rules that allow companies to focus on innovation, environmental improvements and competitiveness, rather than excessive reporting.
This provisional agreement responds directly to those concerns by:
• Limiting obligations to the largest companies,
• Shielding SMEs from indirect compliance pressure, and
• Providing clarity, predictability and breathing space for the tackle trade.
As rapporteur Jörgen Warborn (EPP, Sweden) noted, the agreement delivers “historic cost reductions for businesses” while remaining credible for European citizens and sustainability goals.
Timelines & Implementation
The revised EU rules on sustainability reporting (CSRD) and corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDDD / CS3D) were formally adopted in December 2025, following approval by the European Parliament and endorsement by the Council.
The focus now shifts to implementation and transposition:
• CSRD (Sustainability Reporting)
The revised scope applies from financial year 2025 onwards, significantly reducing the number of companies subject to mandatory reporting.
Companies that were initially expected to report under earlier “wave one” timelines but now fall outside the revised scope benefit from a transition exemption for 2025 and 2026.
• CSDDD / CS3D (Due Diligence)
The transposition deadline has been postponed to 26 July 2028.
Companies falling within scope will be required to comply from July 2029.
For the fishing tackle industry, this means greater legal certainty, reduced administrative pressure, and additional time to prepare where obligations do apply.
EFTTA will continue to monitor the implementation phase closely and inform members of any relevant guidance or national transposition measures that may affect the sector.
