New Technical and Normative Challenges for XBRL: Multidimensionality in the COREP Taxonomy

The New Basel Capital Agreement, known as Basel II, requires some notable changes in the systems of measurement and control of risks of credit entities and investment firms. It introduces new concepts and requirements. The systems of risk management to which the Framework or Agreement makes reference can be implemented in various degrees of sophistication. By measuring the different exposures to risk with greater accuracy, a more advanced system offers such firms and entities the prospect of needing less own funds and using increased financial leverage over secure bases. The national Supervisors, in the various central banks, must approve the systems and instruments established. The new reporting tool that is destined to fulfil this function, for the moment in the context of the European Union only, is the COREP-XBRL Taxonomy. This is based on the mark-up language of the business world, the eXtensible Business Reporting Language, and makes use of the concept of Multidimensionality. This concept is being incorporated into the XBRL specification currently in force, since it is necessary for the structure of the new reporting model that is required.