The Omnibus 1 package: massive relief or risky respite?

Published date: February 16, 2026

How interim managers can secure competitive advantage and audit readiness now

The EU's Omnibus-I package responds to increasing economic pressure by introducing targeted simplifications in sustainability reporting. However, even organizations exempt from reporting obligations should not remain unprepared. Transparency and sustainability requirements are evolving continuously, making these topics increasingly significant in the long term. To prepare for potential future obligations or voluntarily establish sustainable standards, organizations can rely on experienced interim managers. Carolina Thomys, Senior Consultant for Interim Management at Robert Walters, explains how these professionals can support the implementation of processes and structures—even without direct legal mandates. This approach helps organizations secure a competitive edge and position themselves sustainably for the future.

The Omnibus-I Package: Key insights for CFOs

The Omnibus-I package is an EU legislative initiative aimed at simplifying sustainability reporting requirements and supply chain due diligence obligations for organizations. It consolidates targeted amendments to several key EU directives.

Its primary goal is to reduce bureaucracy and raise thresholds for reporting obligations. As a result, significantly fewer organizations will fall under immediate reporting requirements. Additionally, data points within the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) have been reduced by approximately 60%. The report still covers strategy, business model, governance, double materiality, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics—including the value chain. Reporting remains part of the management report and subject to external audits, although the audit start date has been postponed for many organizations. Overall, the level of detail has been reduced, easing the reporting burden.

Minimizing liability and reputation risks through interim management

For organizations that will continue to be subject to reporting obligations, Carolina Thomys recommends a thorough review of the new ESRS standards. Although these are expected to be officially adopted by the EU in mid-2026, organizations should not remain idle until then. "Early preparation allows organizations to establish reporting processes without time pressure and pilot them through a test report for fiscal year 2026," Thomys explains. The foundation for this is a double materiality analysis, which should either be updated or conducted for the first time. Regular coordination with auditors ensures regulatory compliance while also providing strategic insights for developing targeted measures.

Voluntary ESG reporting is becoming a critical competitive factor—regardless of legal requirements:

Optimizing Capital Costs: Banks increasingly integrate ESG ratings into their risk assessments. Transparency directly leads to better interest rates.
Securing Supply Chains: Large corporations must screen their supply chains under CSDDD regulations. Suppliers who proactively provide ESG data strengthen their position as "preferred partners."
Efficiency First: Interim experts design streamlined reporting processes instead of tying up internal resources long-term.

Carolina Thomys emphasizes: "Voluntarily addressing sustainability topics not only enhances internal management capabilities and risk transparency but also increases attractiveness to stakeholders such as investors, business partners, and professionals."

For voluntary reporting, smaller organizations may benefit from using VSME standards developed by EFRAG and recommended by the EU Commission in July 2025. "A pragmatic way to enhance transparency and data quality without mandatory reporting obligations," says Thomys.

How small companies that are not (yet) subject to reporting requirements can prepare themselves

Interim managers offer targeted support in preparing for ESG requirements. This includes establishing a streamlined sustainability data framework that captures key metrics such as energy consumption, emissions, workforce data, and supplier risks—even based on simplified standards for SMEs. They conduct pragmatic materiality analyses to identify relevant topics for future reporting obligations and develop foundational ESG elements like clear ESG narratives, policies (e.g., Code of Conduct or Supplier Code), and strategies tailored to major clients and banks. A voluntary short report based on VSME standards serves as a test run to refine processes and roles.

For CFOs, selecting the right interim manager profile is crucial. Thomys suggests: "For CSRD reporting and audit support, a combined interim profile is most effective: an Interim Sustainability/ESG Reporting Manager closely collaborating with an audit-experienced finance/assurance professional."

Core profile for CSRD reporting

An ESG/sustainability reporting manager who is proficient in ESRS structure, double materiality, data collection and setting up an audit-proof process is the key profile for CSRD reporting content.
This profile typically involves: managing the materiality analysis, coordinating data collection, setting up the report structure and liaising with specialist departments.

Supplementary profile for audit support

A profile with final audit or assurance experience is ideal for supporting the audit, for example a former auditor or audit-related finance expert with a focus on ESG.
This profile translates audit requirements (limited/reasonable assurance), prepares evidence, organises audit readiness and serves as a sparring partner for the auditor throughout the implementation and audit process.

Practical combination in the interim setup

In practice, an interim ESG reporting manager is often appointed as the ‘owner’ of the CSRD project and supplemented on an ad hoc basis by an experienced auditor for audit questions, control systems and documentation.

"This combination ensures that reports are both compliant with content requirements and efficiently auditable—without requiring permanent internal specialists at full capacity," says Thomys.