Companies Act 2014 section 1608

Interpretation (Chapter 4)

Section 1608 defines key terms used in Chapter 4 of Part 28, specifically clarifying who qualifies as a "group auditor" and what is meant by references to statutory auditors or audit firms in the context of sustainability reporting assurance.

• A "group auditor" is the statutory auditor appointed to carry out assurance on the consolidated sustainability reporting of an applicable holding company.
• Any reference to a statutory auditor or audit firm in this chapter means one that is either approved under Chapter 5 or registered under section 1633 to carry out sustainability reporting assurance.
• Approval under Chapter 5 and registration under section 1633 are the only two routes by which an auditor or firm can be recognised for sustainability reporting assurance purposes.
• These definitions ensure that only properly authorised auditors and firms can undertake sustainability reporting assurance work under this chapter.