“In accordance with”
Nine requirements, all of GRI 2, the Sector Standard, a twelve-item index.
A spreadsheet strains here.GRI · software buying guide
GRI reporting software
GRI reporting software has to produce what GRI 1 requires: a content index, a statement of use, the GRI 3 material topics and the right Sector Standard.
A GRI licence on a tool means GRI checked how its content is used, not that your report meets GRI.
45 of the 73 vendors in this site’s registry say on their own sites that they support GRI; none has been tested here.
Do you need it
Do you need GRI software at all?
It depends on the claim: a full GRI report needs far more structure than a partial one.
GRI is voluntary in UK law; the claim is set out on GRI reporting requirements in the UK.
What the Standards are is on the GRI Standards.
The software decision follows the claim, not the other way round.
The claim your report makes
“With reference to”
Selected disclosures, a six-item index, a statement of use.
A spreadsheet can cope.No GRI claim
GRI content used to answer questions.
No GRI index needed.What it must do
What must GRI reporting software do?
Hold the GRI 1 requirements as data, so the index and the omissions cannot drift from the report.
| Capability | What GRI requires behind it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Content index | Twelve items for “in accordance”: statement of use, Sector Standards, sector topics not material with reasons, every disclosure with its source and location, omissions | GRI 1, Req 7 |
| Omission control | Four reasons only, each explained; none for 2-1 to 2-5, 3-1 and 3-2 | GRI 1, Req 6, Table 1 |
| GRI 2 coverage | All 30 disclosures for an “in accordance” claim | GRI 2 |
| Material topics | The four GRI 3 steps; severity as scale, scope and irremediable character; a documented threshold | GRI 3 |
| Sector Standards | The applicable standard in its V1.1 version, every topic decided | GRI Sector Program |
| Version switching | GRI 102 and GRI 103 for reports published from 1 January 2027 | GRI Standards |
| Statement of use and notification | GRI 1’s exact wording for each claim; an email to GRI | GRI 1, Req 8 and 9 |
One reporter
What changes for one reporter moving off a spreadsheet?
A UK aquaculture group claiming “in accordance with” gains an index that cannot omit what GRI forbids, and a 2027 switch it does not have to remember.
It is an illustration, not a real company.
The tool changes the error rate, not the claim: the group still meets, or misses, GRI 1’s nine requirements itself.
- 1
Today
A spreadsheet index, typed by hand each year.
- 2
Sector Standard
GRI 13 V1.1 loaded, each topic marked material or not, with a reason.
- 3
Omissions
Free text replaced by GRI’s four reasons; 2-1 to 2-5 locked.
- 4
2027 report
Climate and energy drawn from GRI 102 and GRI 103.
- 5
Notification
The statement of use and the email to GRI drafted from the record.
GRI licensing
What does a GRI licence on software mean?
That GRI checked how the tool uses its copyright content, and nothing about your report.
GRI says it is “not an auditor, assessor, certifier, or verifier of sustainability reports” (GRI).
There is no such thing as a GRI-certified report; there is a report whose claim GRI 1 supports or does not.
GRI’s own directory of licensed products is on its partner page.
A GRI licenceExplore
A GRI licence
Why it exists
GRI content in software needs GRI’s written permission; the Standards may be copied freely only to prepare a report.
A GRI licence
How it works
Application and licence agreement, GRI’s verification of the content, then permission and a mark.
A GRI licence
What it is not
It does not assess user data, guarantee outcomes or replace assurance.
Your tests
How do you test GRI software in a demo?
Ten tasks, each tied to the GRI provision it proves: tick the ones you need and copy the list.
Ask the vendor to do each task live, on your data where possible.
A test the tool fails is not a verdict on the vendor; it tells you what you would still do by hand.
Demo questions · tick the ones you need
The pass tests are our reading of the cited provisions.
Nothing you tick is stored or sent.
Vendors
Which software vendors say they support GRI?
45 of the 73 vendors in the registry, in their own words, alphabetically.
Each row quotes the vendor’s own website, read on 15 October 2026; no row is our assessment, and the order ranks nothing.
28 registry vendors had no GRI claim on the pages read, which does not mean their products lack it.
| Vendor | What it says about GRI | Read on |
|---|---|---|
| Altruistiq | “Then report to CDP, EcoVadis, SBTi, GRI, TCFD from one system.” | altruistiq.com |
| ASUENE | Report module: “Supports CDP, CSRD, TCFD, IFRS S2, GRI, SBTi, and GHG Protocol” | asuene.com |
| Benchmark Gensuite | “deliver audit-ready reports aligned to CSRD/ESRS, CDP, GRI, TCFD, BRSR, and evolving mandates” | benchmarkgensuite.com |
| Briink | Frameworks including “B-corp, Ecovadis, GRI, and ISSB”: “Each of these frameworks is available through ready-to-use templates and AI-backed agents” | briink.com |
| Climatiq | “We have made it easier for companies to report biogenic emissions where they may be required by international accounting and reporting standards including the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, CSRD and GRI.” | climatiq.io |
| Climatise | “Climatise generates the emissions data, charts, and analysis needed for the environmental section of sustainability reports, supporting SECR, CSRD, CDP, GRI, and ISSB disclosure requirements.” | climatise.com |
| Compare Your Footprint | “Results can be used for CSRD, SECR, ESOS, EcoVadis, CDP, GRI, TCFD, GLEC, CSRD, BIA” | compareyourfootprint.com |
| Cority | “Global frameworks covered including CDP, GRI, TCFD, SASB, ISSB” | cority.com |
| Dcycle | “Dcycle maps your collected metrics to the corresponding GRI Standards, identifies which disclosures are covered and which need attention, and generates structured output ready for your sustainability report.” | dcycle.io |
| Deepki | “GRESB, CSRD, SFDR Article 8 & 9, GRI, Tertiary Decree—Deepki centralizes performance data across all frameworks in a single audit-ready repository.” | deepki.com |
| Diginex | “There are a number of global ESG frameworks that you can use, including GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), SASB, TCFD and WEF in DiginexESG platform” | diginex.com |
| Diligent | “Map your ESG data against a variety of standards including SASB, GRI, TCFD, CDP and WEF” | diligent.com |
| EcoOnline | “Assess and anlayse your data to fit the framework your business is reporting to such as the UN SDGs, LBG, GRI, or the UN PRI.” | ecoonline.com |
| EcoVadis | “EcoVadis business sustainability ratings provide a wealth of information to support GRI reporting on responsible supply chain management” | resources.ecovadis.com |
| Enablon | “Enablon software is certified by the GRI. As such, GRI copyright protected content is integrated and directly available in Enablon solutions.” | wolterskluwer.com |
| Envoria | KPI Management: “Collect individual ESG and financial data or comply with standards, like CSRD/ESRS, VSME, GRI, EMAS, IFRS Notes, and others.” | envoria.com |
| IBM Envizi ESG Suite | “It includes over 1,000 questions from major international reporting frameworks, such as ESRS to help comply with CSRD, SASB, GRI, UN SDGs and TCFD” | ibm.com |
| IntegrityNext | “IntegrityNext provides end-to-end CSRD compliance, automated GRI reporting, and ISSB alignment” | integritynext.com |
| Intelex | “Report high-quality sustainability data to major frameworks, including ESRS, GRI, CDP and SASB.” | intelex.com |
| IsoMetrix | “Ready-made templates and disclosure workflows for GRI, TCFD, CSRD/ESRS, CDP, and the UN SDGs.” | isometrix.com |
| Manglai | “At Manglai we help companies gather the data and measure the carbon footprint they need to report against the GRI Standards and other frameworks.” | manglai.io |
| Measurabl | “Measurabl’s platform offers specialized support for companies navigating GRI reporting” | measurabl.com |
| Microsoft Sustainability Manager | “External reporting in Sustainability Manager includes standard and framework reporting templates for” CSRD, ASRS, BRSR, “Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)”, IFRS and SASB | learn.microsoft.com |
| Normative | “Yes, you can choose among all the major sustainability reporting standards like GRI, CDP and Nasdaq ESG.” | normative.io |
| Nossa Data | “Nossa Data is a GRI licensed software provider. Clients have access to GRI disclosure templates and can produce and download a GRI Content Index” | nossadata.com |
| Novisto | “Bring all your GRI disclosures - universal standards, sector standards, and topic standards - into one centralized system.” | novisto.com |
| Optera | Response Hub “Adapts to any format or framework: customer questionnaires, CDP, EcoVadis, GRI, S&P CSA, MSCI, Sustainalytics, and PRI” | opteraclimate.com |
| Oracle Fusion Cloud Sustainability | Oracle Cloud EPM for Sustainability: “The account structure is based on a combination of the IFRS, ESRS (CSRD), and GRI standards” | oracle.com |
| osapiens | “Pre-built templates for CSRD/ESRS, VSME, GRI and ISSB offer a structured table of contents, pre-written narrative blocks and data placeholders.” | osapiens.com |
| Position Green | “Export your reported disclosures as a GRI index that can be added to your annual report.” | positiongreen.com |
| Pulsora | “Pulsora's flexible platform supports over a dozen regulations and reporting frameworks.” GRI is listed among them | pulsora.com |
| Quentic | “Prepare reports according to multiple global frameworks and standards including CSRD, ESRS, GRI, ISSB, and more.” | quentic.com |
| Salesforce Net Zero Cloud | “Access framework-specific report builders for CSRD, SASB, GRI, and CDP reports” | salesforce.com |
| Sami | “Several standards at your disposal: ESRS (CSRD), ISO26000, Ecovadis, CDP, Global Compact, GRI, etc.” | sami.eco |
| SAP Sustainability Footprint Management | “SAP Sustainability solutions help organizations … support more consistent and auditable disclosures aligned to frameworks such as GRI.” | sap.com |
| Sedex | “Sedex customers … can use their Sedex Platform data directly in reports that are in accordance with, or with reference to, the GRI Standards” | sedex.com |
| ServiceNow Operational Sustainability Management | ESG Content Accelerators: “Stay up to date with frameworks like GRI, SASB, TCFD and UN SDGs.” | servicenow.com |
| Sphera | Managed Disclosure Content: “Frameworks include: CSRD, GRI, CDP, IFRS/ISSB, EU Taxonomy Table” | sphera.com |
| Sweep | “Use pre-built GRI disclosure libraries and guidance to ensure accurate, complete reports.” | sweep.net |
| Tanso | “Tanso supports CSRD/ESRS, VSME, EU Taxonomy, EcoVadis, SAQ 5.0, GRI and CDP.” | tanso.de |
| Trace | “To facilitate accurate reporting on your emissions via TCFD, ISSB, GRI and CDP, and other disclosure frameworks, Trace will help you define your organisational and operational boundaries.” | our-trace.com |
| Unravel Carbon | “GRI-certified 400+ metrics library, with unlimited customization of frameworks and metrics and facility-level metrics” | unravelcarbon.com |
| Watershed | “the same measurement foundation, evidence, and selected content can extend to UK SRS, ISSB-aligned, and GRI-related reporting” | watershed.com |
| Workiva Carbon | “From Sustainability Explorer, you can view Universal and Topic Standards from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).” | support.workiva.com |
| Worldfavor | “With Worldfavor you will easily overview and manage sustainability performance, save time by automating data collection, and align with global frameworks such as GRI.” | blog.worldfavor.com |
The full registry, with each vendor’s other claims, is on carbon reporting software.
Digital filing
Does GRI software need to tag in XBRL?
No: the GRI Sustainability Taxonomy exists, and nothing requires it.
GRI 1’s last requirement is still an email, not a filing.
Whether the taxonomy already covers GRI 16 to 18 and the new labour Standards was not checked; ask the vendor.
GRI TaxonomyExplore
GRI Taxonomy
What it is
A digital representation of the full GRI suite: Universal, Topic and Sector.
GRI Taxonomy
Filing
XBRL or a webform on GRI’s Digital Filing Platform; output in XBRL, iXBRL, Excel and PDF.
What it must keep up with
Which GRI changes must the software keep up with?
Climate and energy in 2027, financial-services sectors in 2029, and an ESRS mapping still to be updated.
- 1 January 202301
- 19 June 202502
- 31 December 202603
Earlier Sector Standard versions end for climate and energy
The V1.1 versions take over. - 1 January 202704
GRI 102 and GRI 103 apply
Climate and energy disclosures change for reports published from this date. - 1 January 202905
For groups also reporting under the ESRS, GRI’s index is V1 of November 2024, mapped to the 2023 ESRS (GRI).
For groups also reporting under IFRS S2 or UK SRS S2, GRI accepts IFRS S2’s Scope 1, 2 and 3 figures for GRI 102 (GRI).
Order of work
What should a buyer do first?
Fix the claim and the sector, then test tools against the index, not the dashboard.
Compare against the wider market on ESG software compared.
The neighbouring guide for EU reporters is CSRD reporting software.
- 1
Settle the claim
“In accordance with” or “with reference to”.
- 2
Name the Sector Standard
Or confirm there is none for your sector.
- 3
Pick your demo questions
From the ten above, tied to GRI 1 and GRI 3.
- 4
Check licensing on GRI’s own site
Not from the vendor’s badge alone.
- 5
Run a 2027 report in the demo
GRI 102 and GRI 103 should appear unprompted.
Software can make a GRI report harder to get wrong, but only the organisation can make the claim true.
- Twelve items
An “in accordance” content index has twelve required parts
A tool should hold every one. - Four reasons
Omissions come from a closed list
And seven Universal disclosures admit none. - 1 January 2027
Climate and energy switch to GRI 102 and GRI 103
Test the tool on a 2027 report. - Licensed ≠ compliant
A GRI licence covers the tool, not your report
GRI says so itself. - 45 of 73
Registry vendors that say they support GRI
Read on their own sites on 15 October 2026.
Can software make a report “in accordance with” GRI?
No. The claim rests on the organisation meeting nine requirements.
An assurance provider, if the organisation chooses one, is the only party that tests the figures; GRI 1 encourages assurance and does not require it.
Who owns whatExplore
Who owns what
The organisation
Reports are “the full responsibility of those producing them”.
Who owns what
The vendor
Holds the data and drafts the index; a licence covers its use of GRI content.
Frequently asked
What else do people ask about GRI software?
What is GRI reporting software?
Software that holds an organisation’s GRI disclosures and produces what GRI 1 requires: a content index with a statement of use, the material topics from GRI 3, the applicable Sector Standard and any reasons for omission.
The report and its claim remain the organisation’s responsibility.
Does GRI certify software?
GRI licenses it.
Its Licensing Software & Tools Program verifies how GRI content is implemented and grants permission to use GRI’s copyright content commercially.
GRI says licensing does not assess user data, guarantee reporting outcomes or replace assurance.
Does a GRI-licensed tool make our report “in accordance with” GRI?
No. The claim depends on the nine requirements in GRI 1, which the organisation meets or does not.
A licensing mark on the tool says nothing about a particular report.
Which software supports GRI?
Of the 73 vendors in this site’s registry, 45 say on their own websites that they support GRI, as read on 15 October 2026.
This site has tested none of them, and a vendor with no claim found may still support GRI.
Do GRI reports have to be filed in XBRL?
No. GRI 1’s final requirement is an email to GRI.
The GRI Sustainability Taxonomy, launched in June 2025, lets a report be filed as XBRL or through a webform, but nothing requires it.
What changes for GRI software in 2027?
Reports published from 1 January 2027 use GRI 102 Climate Change and GRI 103 Energy in place of GRI 305 and GRI 302, and the earlier Sector Standard versions stop being usable for climate and energy after 31 December 2026.
Can one tool produce GRI and ESRS reports?
It can hold one data set for both, but the GRI–ESRS mapping it uses should say which ESRS it maps.
GRI’s index is V1 of November 2024, mapped to the 2023 ESRS, and had not been updated for the revised ESRS on 15 October 2026.
Sources
Where does each figure come from?
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner.
Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
Checked against 18 sources fromGRI
- GRIGRI 1: Foundation 2021, Section 3
The nine and three requirements, the statement of use and the notification to GRI.
- GRIGRI 1: Foundation 2021, Requirements 6 and 7
The content-index items and the four reasons for omission in Table 1.
- GRIGRI 1: Foundation 2021, copyright notice
Reproduction for any purpose other than preparing a report needs GRI’s written permission.
- GRIGRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Thirty disclosures in five sections.
- GRIGRI 3: Material Topics 2021
Four steps; severity is scale, scope and irremediable character; a documented threshold.
- GRIThe GRI Standards
GRI 102 Climate Change and GRI 103 Energy effective 1 January 2027.
- GRIGRI Sector Program
GRI 11 to 14 re-issued as V1.1; earlier versions usable for climate and energy to 31 December 2026.
- GRIStandards for Banking, Capital Markets and Insurance
GRI 16, 17 and 18, effective for reports published from 1 January 2029.
- GRIGet your software and tools licensed
The three steps, and what licensing does and does not do.
- GRICopyright policy
GRI is not a certifier of reports and endorses no software beyond its Licensed partners as such.
- GRIA mark of trust (29 April 2025)
100 licensed partners in 2024, up from 38 in 2022.
- GRIGRI Licensed Software & Tools Partners
GRI’s own directory of licensed products.
- GRIGRI Sustainability Taxonomy
XBRL for the full GRI suite; XBRL, iXBRL, Excel and PDF output; the Digital Filing Platform.
- GRIA digital leap forward for sustainability reporting (19 June 2025)
The taxonomy’s launch.
- GRIGRI–ESRS Interoperability Index, V1 (22 November 2024)
Mapped to the 2023 ESRS.
- GRIGlobal alignment: linkage documents
No index for the revised ESRS listed as at 15 October 2026.
- GRIGRI 102 and IFRS S2: equivalence for GHG emissions (26 June 2025)
IFRS S2 Scope 1, 2 and 3 figures can meet GRI 102.
- GRIGRI Standards download centre (English)
The current Standards and the V1.1 Sector Standards.
Continue reading
Where to go next
Guide
GRI reporting requirements
What each GRI claim commits you to, and when anyone asks for it.
Guide
The GRI Standards
Universal, Topic and Sector Standards explained.
Guide
GRI materiality
The GRI 3 process the software has to hold.
Guide
ISSB vs GRI
Two tests, one GHG equivalence.
Guide
ESG frameworks in the UK
GRI beside CDP, SASB and the ISSB standards.
Guide
CDP reporting
The questionnaire many GRI reporters also answer.
More on GRI: GRI Standards · GRI reporting requirements · GRI materiality