Independent assurance

  • GRI:
  • External assurance2-5
    External assurance

Santander Bank Polska S.A., as part of ensuring due diligence in its sustainability reporting process, voluntarily submits selected disclosures to an independent review that provides limited assurance and is conducted in accordance with the National Standard on Assurance Engagements Other than Audits and Reviews 3000 (Z) as set out in International Standard on Assurance Engagements 3000 (Revised) – „Assurance Engagements Other than Audits and Reviews of Historical Financial Information” („KSUA 3000 (Z)”). The audit process of non-financial data is coordinated by the Sustainability and ESG Team. with the support of the Management Board of the Bank . The Supervisory Board does not actively participate in this process.

The following GRI disclosures were reviewed:

  • Profile disclosures: GRI 2-1 – GRI 2-30,
  • Values and ethics: GRI 418-1,
  • Security of services, transactions and customer data: GRI 205-2 – GRI 205-3, GRI 417-2, GRI 417-3, GRI 419-1,
  • Aligning portfolio with Net Zero 2050 strategy goals, Green finance, Direct environmental impact:
    • GRI 305-1 – GRI 305-2,
    • The processes used to identify and assess climate-related risks, the main types of risk and how they are managed
  • Other: GRI 401-1, GRI 405-1 – GRI 405-2, GRI 406-1.

Due to upcoming regulatory requirements, a decision has been made to have the 2022 ESG Report reviewed by Santander Bank Polska Group’s lead auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers Polska spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością Audyt sp.k. (PwC), a third party with which we have no relationships that could affect the independence of the assurance. This is a step towards the intended integrated reporting of ESG issues along with financial statements. In accordance with the provisions of the Act of 11 May 2017 on Statutory Auditors, Audit Firms and Public Supervision, the audit firm and the statutory auditor are required to maintain their independence with respect to the Bank and the Group. In addition, based on the requirements of Recommendation H, it periodically reviews the independence of the audit firm and its employees. This assessment also takes into account the possibility of providing non-audit services. (In addition, in order to achieve this objective, we are publishing a report together with the Management Board’s Report on the activities of the Santander Bank Polska Group in 2022).