Equator Principles (EP4, 2020)
The Equator Principles (EP4, July 2020) are a financial industry framework for identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risk in project finance, project-related corporate loans, bridge loans, and project-related refinance. Adopted by 138 financial institutions in 38 countries covering the majority of international project finance. Based on IFC Performance Standards and World Bank EHS Guidelines. EP4 covers climate change, human rights, Indigenous Peoples, biodiversity, and stakeholder engagement. Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) commit to not financing projects that fail to meet EP requirements.
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Framework Domains (24)
Assessment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP2 | Environmental and Social Assessment |
Biodiversity
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-BD1 | Biodiversity and Critical Habitat |
Climate
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-CC1 | Climate Change Risk Assessment |
Cultural Heritage
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-CH1 | Cultural Heritage |
Disclosure
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP10 | Reporting and Transparency |
Grievance
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP6 | Grievance Mechanism |
Grievance and Compliance
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-6 | Grievance Mechanism |
| EP-7 | Independent Review |
| EP-8 | Covenants |
Human Rights
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-HR1 | Human Rights Due Diligence |
Independent Review
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP7 | Independent Review |
Indigenous Peoples
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-IP1 | Indigenous Peoples and FPIC |
Jurisdiction
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-DD1 | Designated Country Determination |
Labour
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-LR1 | Labour and Working Conditions |
Loan Documentation
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP8 | Covenants |
Management Systems
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP4 | Environmental and Social Management System and Action Plan |
Monitoring
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP9 | Independent Monitoring and Reporting |
Monitoring and Reporting
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Art. 27 | Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment for High-Risk AI Systems |
| Art. 28 | Notifying Authorities |
| Art. 29 | Application of a Conformity Assessment Body for Notification |
| EP-10 | Reporting and Transparency |
| EP-9 | Independent Monitoring and Reporting |
Pollution
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-PS1 | Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency |
Project Screening and Categorisation
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-1 | Review and Categorisation |
| EP-2 | Environmental and Social Assessment |
Resettlement
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-RS1 | Resettlement and Land Acquisition |
Risk Categorisation
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP1 | Review and Categorisation |
Scope
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-SC1 | Applicability and Scope |
Stakeholder Engagement
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP5 | Stakeholder Engagement |
Standards Alignment
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP3 | Applicable Environmental and Social Standards |
Standards and Management Systems
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EP-3 | Applicable Environmental and Social Standards |
| EP-4 | Environmental and Social Management System and Action Plan |
| EP-5 | Stakeholder Engagement |
Your Compliance Coverage
If you comply with Equator Principles (EP4, 2020), you already cover:
EU AI Act
12%
4 controls mapped
Compare →GDPR
12%
4 controls mapped
Compare →EU NIS2 Directive — Transport Sector Requirements
12%
4 controls mapped
Compare →+ 478 more: Saudi PDPL (12%), Japan APPI (12%)
See all 481 mapped frameworks ↓Maps to 481 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Equator Principles (EP4, 2020)?
Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) is a compliance framework from International (Equator Principles Association) with 24 domains and 33 controls. The Equator Principles (EP4, July 2020) are a financial industry framework for identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risk in project finance, project-related corporate loans, bridge loans, and project-related refinance. Adopted by 138 financial institutions in 38 countries covering the majority of international project finance. Based on IFC Performance Standards and World Bank EHS Guidelines. EP4 covers climate change, human rights, Indigenous Peoples, biodiversity, and stakeholder engagement. Equator Principles Financial Institutions (EPFIs) commit to not financing projects that fail to meet EP requirements. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) have?
Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) has 33 controls organised across 24 domains. The largest domains are Monitoring and Reporting (5 controls), Grievance and Compliance (3 controls), Standards and Management Systems (3 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) map to?
Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) maps to 481 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are EU AI Act (12% coverage), GDPR (12% coverage), EU NIS2 Directive — Transport Sector Requirements (12% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with Equator Principles (EP4, 2020) compliance?
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