Equator Principles Association Extends EP4 Deadline to October 1, 2020, Due to COVID-19

In November 2019, the Equator Principles Association published the fourth iteration of the Equator Principles (EP4). The Equator Principles are a set of principles developed for and followed by a large number of financial institutions, with the goal of improving environmental stewardship and social responsibility in project financing. Equator Principle Financial Institutions (EPFIs) were originally required to implement EP4 by July 1, 2020. On May 18, 2020, the Equator Principles Association approved a three-month grace period on implementation due to ongoing disruptions caused by COVID-19. Some EPFIs are already implementing EP4 in new projects, but the deadline for implementation is now October 1, 2020. This means that all EPFIs must apply EP4 to any new projects signed on or after October 1, 2020.