Which statement about materiality and industry specificity is true?

• A. SASB identifies universally material topics applicable to all industries
• B. SASB uses a single metric set for every industry
• C. SASB identifies financially material topics by industry and guides what to measure and disclose.
• D. SASB relies on regulators to define material topics

Answer: (C)

Materiality in SASB is addressed with an industry focus: what matters for a company's financial performance varies by sector. SASB builds standards by industry and identifies which topics are financially material for each one, then provides the exact metrics and disclosure guidance needed. This tailored approach ensures that disclosures speak to how the topic affects financial results, not just generic sustainability issues. The other statements don’t fit this approach: material topics aren’t universal across all industries, there isn’t a single metric set used for every industry, and SASB’s material topics are defined through its own process rather than by regulators.