REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority); Regulation (EU) No 345/2013 on European venture capital funds; Regulation (EU) No 346/2013 on European social entrepreneurship funds; Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments; Regulation (EU) 2015/760 on European long-term investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts or to measure the performance of investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market; and (EU) Directive 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering or terrorist financing
14.1.2019 - (COM(2018)0646 – C8‑0409/2018 – 2017/0230(COD)) - ***I
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Rapporteur: Othmar Karas, Pervenche Berès,
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority); Regulation (EU) No 345/2013 on European venture capital funds; Regulation (EU) No 346/2013 on European social entrepreneurship funds; Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments; Regulation (EU) 2015/760 on European long-term investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts or to measure the performance of investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market; and (EU) Directive 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering or terrorist financing
(COM(2018)0646 – C8‑0409/2018 – 2017/0230(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2018)0646),
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8‑0409/2018),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 15 February 2018[1],
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A8-0013/2019),
1. Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1
AMENDMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT[2]*
to the Commission proposal
---------------------------------------------------------
Amended proposal for a
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
amending Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority); Regulation (EU) No 345/2013 on European venture capital funds; Regulation (EU) No 346/2013 on European social entrepreneurship funds; Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments; Regulation (EU) 2015/760 on European long-term investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts or to measure the performance of investment funds; Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market and Directive (EU) 2015/849 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering or terrorist financing
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank[3],
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee[4],
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure[5],
Whereas:
▌
(8) It is therefore crucial that the financial system plays its full part in meeting critical sustainability challenges. This will require ▌ an active contribution of the ESAs to create the right regulatory and supervisory framework▌.
▌
(11a) It is becoming increasingly important to promote consistent, systematic and effective monitoring and assessment of risks in relation to money-laundering and terrorist financing in the Union's financial system. Combating money laundering and financing of terrorism is a shared responsibility between Member States and European institutions and bodies, within their respective mandates. They should establish mechanisms for enhanced cooperation, coordination and mutual assistance, fully utilising all the tools and measures available under the existing regulatory and institutional framework. At the same time, all entities involved should allow for proper scrutiny and oversight of their actions.
(11aa) Given the consequences for financial stability which may stem from abuses of the financial sector for money-laundering or terrorist financing purposes, considering that it is in the banking sector that money-laundering and terrorist financing risks are most likely to have systemic impact, and building on the experience already gained by EBA in protecting the banking sector from such abuses as an Authority with oversight over all Member States, EBA should take a leading, coordinating and monitoring role at Union level to effectively protect the financial system from money-laundering and terrorist financing risks. Therefore, it is necessary to entrust EBA, in addition to its present competences, with the authority to act within the remit of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 and Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 insofar as such authority relates to the prevention and combating of money-laundering and terrorist financing, where it concerns financial sector operators and the competent authorities supervising them, which are covered by those Regulations. Moreover, concentrating this mandate for the entire financial sector within EBA would optimise the use of its expertise and resources, and is without prejudice to the material obligations laid down in Directive (EU) 2015/849.
(11b) In order for EBA to exercise its mandate effectively it should make full use of all its powers and tools under the Regulation. while respecting the principle of proportionality. The measures EBA adopts to promote integrity, transparency and security in the financial system and to prevent and combat money-laundering and terrorist financing should not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Regulation or the acts referred to in Article 1(2) and should take duly into account nature, scale and complexity of risks, business practices, business models and size of financial sector operators and markets. In line with its new role, it is important that EBA collects all relevant information in relation to money-laundering and terrorist financing activities identified by the relevant Union and national authorities, without prejudice to the tasks assigned to authorities under Directive (EU) 2015/849 and without creating any unnecessary duplicates. In full compliance with data protection rules, EBA should store such information in a centralised database and foster cooperation among authorities by ensuring appropriate dissemination of relevant information. EBA may also, where appropriate, transmit to the national judicial authorities of the Member State concerned and, where applicable, to the European Public Prosecutor, evidence in its possession which could give rise to criminal proceedings.
(11ba) Following requests from competent authorities in the exercise of their prudential supervisory functions, EBA should provide assistance. EBA should also coordinate closely, and, where appropriate, exchange information, with competent authorities including the European Central Bank, in its supervisory capacity, and authorities entrusted with the public duty of supervising obliged entities listed in points (1) and (2) of Article 2 (1) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 as well as with Financial Intelligence Units, while taking due account of existing channels for the exchange of information such as the EU-FIU Platform and FIU.Net, to ensure efficiency and to avoid any form of duplicative or inconsistent actions in preventing and combating money-laundering and terrorist financing.
(11bb) In addition EBA should carry out reviews of competent authorities, as well as risk assessment exercises relating to money-laundering and terrorist financing. EBA should assume a role in identifying supervisory and prudential practices and processes in Member States which harm the consistency and strength of the EU’s framework for prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism. EBA should initiate proceedings to correct these weakness, and propose new regulatory technical standards, if necessary.
(11bc) Furthermore, EBA should have a leading role in contributing to facilitate cooperation between competent authorities in the Union and the relevant authorities in third countries on these matters with a view to better coordinate action at Union level in material cases of anti-money laundering and terrorist financing having a cross-border and third country dimension.
(11c) In order to enhance the effectiveness of supervisory control of compliance in the area of money laundering and terrorist financing and to ensure greater coordination of the enforcement by national competent authorities of breaches of directly applicable Union law or its national transposing measures, EBA should have the power to carry out analysis of the information collected and, if necessary, pursue investigations on allegations brought to its attention concerning material breaches or non application of Union law, and, where it has evidence or significant indications of material breaches, to request competent authorities to investigate any possible breaches of the relevant rules, to consider taking decisions and imposing sanctions addressed to financial institutions requiring them to comply with their legal obligations. This power should only be used where EBA has indications of material breaches. Where EBA has substantial indications of material breaches, the actions referred to above should be initiated without undue delay. The requests referred to in this paragraph should not compromise ongoing supervisory measures by the competent authority to which the request is addressed.
▌
(15a) In view of the importance of ensuring that the Union supervisory framework for combating of money-laundering and terrorist financing is applied effectively, independent reviews to provide objective and transparent perspectives on supervisory practices are of paramount importance. Through these reviews, EBA should assess the strategies, capacities and resources of the competent authorities to address emerging risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing. Where such reviews reveal serious concerns, which the competent authority does not remedy as appropriate and necessary, EBA should issue a follow-up report regarding compliance with requested follow-up measures and should notify the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission without undue delay.
(15b) For carrying out its tasks and exercising its powers, EBA should be able to take individual decisions addressed to financial sector operators in the context of the procedure for breach of Union law and of the procedure of binding mediation even when the material rules are not directly applicable to financial sector operators, after having taken a decision addressed to the competent authority. Where the material rules are laid down in Directives, EBA should apply the national legislation transposing those Directives, unless EBA, after consulting the Commission, takes the view that national legislation does not transpose those Directives adequately. Where the relevant Union law is composed of Regulations and where, on the date of entry into force of this Regulation, those Regulations expressly grant options to Member States, EBA should apply the national legislation exercising those options.
(15b a) With a view to enhance EBA’s role in ensuring the effectiveness of supervisory control of compliance in the area of money laundering and terrorist financing and in addressing breaches or non-application of Union law or its national transposing measures, EBA should make available channels for reporting breaches or non-application of Union law. EBA should ensure that information may be submitted anonymously and safely. Where EBA deems that the submitted information contains evidence or significant indications of material breaches, EBA provide feedback to the reporting person
▌
(24a) To ensure that the appropriate level of expertise underpins decisions relating to anti-money laundering and terrorist financing measures, it is necessary to set up a permanent internal committee composed of the heads of authorities and bodies in charge of compliance with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing legislation , whose expertise on different business models and specificities of sectors should be fully taken into consideration. This Committee will examine and prepare decisions to be taken by EBA. In order to avoid duplication, this new committee will replace the existing anti-money laundering sub-committee which has been set up within the ESAs Joint Committee.
(24aa) With regard to EBA’s tasks related to preventing and combating of money-laundering and terrorist financing, the Joint Committee should serve as a forum in which the EBA should cooperate regularly and closely with the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority on matters relating to the interaction between the specific tasks of the EBA referred to in point (l) of Article 8(1) and the tasks conferred on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority, to ensure that different business models and specificities of the different sectors are fully taken into consideration.
(24ab) EBA should be properly and adequately resourced and staffed to effectively contribute to the consistent, efficient and effective prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering and terrorist financing, within its respective competences under this Regulation. Additional competences and workload conferred upon the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority should also be matched with sufficient human and financial resources.
(24ac) In line with the objective to achieve a more coherent and viable supervisory system in the Union to prevent and combat money-laundering and terrorist financing, the Commission should, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the specific tasks conferred to EBA pursuant to point (1) of Article 8(1) of this Regulation. As part of its assessment, the Commission should analyse the interaction between those tasks and the tasks conferred on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority. Since much money-laundering and terrorist financing activity takes place outside the financial services sector, the Commission should, based on a comprehensive cost and benefit analysis as well as following the objective of ensuring consistency, efficiency and effectiveness, also thoroughly investigate the possibility of conferring specific anti money-laundering and terrorist financing tasks to an existing or new dedicated EU-wide agency. The Commission should submit this assessment, as part of its report pursuant to Article 65 of Directive (EU) 2018/843, and together with legislative proposals, if appropriate, to the European Parliament and the Council by 11 January 2022.
▌
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010
Regulation (EU) 1093/2010 is amended as follows:
(1) Article 1 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall act within the powers conferred by this Regulation and within the scope of Directive 2002/87/EC, Directive 2009/110/EC, Directive 2008/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council*, Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2014/49/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council**, Directive 2014/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council***, Regulation (EU) 2015/847**** of the European Parliament and the Council*****, Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council******, Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council********* and, to the extent that those acts apply to credit and financial institutions and the competent authorities that supervise them, within the relevant parts of Directive 2002/65/EC , including all directives, regulations, and decisions based on those acts, and of any further legally binding Union act which confers tasks on the Authority. The Authority shall also act in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013********.
The Authority shall also act within the powers conferred by this Regulation and within the scope of Directive (EU) 2015/849(*****) of the European Parliament and of the Council to the extent that that Directive applies to financial sector operators and the competent authorities that supervise them. For this purpose only, EBA shall carry out the tasks conferred by any legally binding Union act on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority established by Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 or to the European Securities and Markets Authority established by Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010. When carrying out such tasks, the Authority shall consult those Authorities and keep them informed of its activities concerning any entity which is a "financial" institution" as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 or a "financial market participant" as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.'
* Directive 2008/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 on credit agreements for consumers and repealing Council Directive 87/102/EEC (OJ L 133, 22.5.2008, p. 66).
**Directive 2014/49/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on deposit guarantee schemes Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 173, 12.6.2014, p. 149).
***Directive 2014/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on the comparability of fees related to payment accounts, payment account switching and access to payment accounts with basic features Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 214).
****Regulation (EU) 2015/847 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on information accompanying transfers of funds and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1781/2006 (OJ L 141, 5.6.2015, p. 1).
****Directive (EU) 2015/2366 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 on payment services in the internal market, amending Directives 2002/65/EC, 2009/110/EC and 2013/36/EU and Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010, and repealing Directive 2007/64/EC (OJ L 337, 23.12.2015, p. 35).
*****Council Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013 of 15 October 2013 conferring specific tasks on the European Central Bank concerning policies relating to the prudential supervision of credit institutions (OJ L 287, 29.10.2013, p. 63).
********* Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p.19)";
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Authority shall also act in the field of activities of credit institutions, financial conglomerates, investment firms, payment institutions and e-money institutions in relation to issues not directly covered in the acts referred to in paragraph 2, including matters of corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting, taking into account sustainable business models and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors, provided that such actions by the Authority are necessary to ensure the effective and consistent application of those acts.”
(ab) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The objective of the Authority shall be to protect the public interest by contributing to the short, medium and long-term stability and effectiveness of the financial system, for the Union economy, its citizens and businesses. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, contribute to:
(a) improving the functioning of the internal market, including, in particular, a sound, effective and consistent level of regulation and supervision;
(b) ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency and orderly functioning of financial markets;
(c) strengthening international supervisory coordination;
(d) preventing regulatory arbitrage and promoting equal conditions of competition;
(e) ensuring the taking of credit and other risks are appropriately regulated and supervised; ▐
(f) enhancing customer and consumer protection;
(fa) enhancing supervisory convergence across the internal market, including promoting a risk-based approach to conduct of business supervision.
(fb) preventing the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering and terrorist financing.
For those purposes, the Authority shall contribute to ensuring the consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in paragraph 2, foster supervisory convergence, and provide opinions in accordance with Article 16a to the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission ▌.
In the exercise of the tasks conferred upon it by this Regulation, the Authority shall pay particular attention to any systemic risk posed by financial institutions, the failure of which may impair the operation of the financial system or the real economy.
When carrying out its tasks, the Authority shall act independently, objectively and in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, in the interests of the Union as a whole and shall respect the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall apply the principles of accountability and integrity and should ensure that all stakeholders are treated fairly in this regard.
The content and form of the Authority's actions and measures shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Regulation or the acts referred to in paragraph 2 and shall be proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the risks inherent in the business of an institution or markets that is affected by the Authority's action.”
(b) in Article 1(2), the following subparagraph is added:
'The Authority shall also act within the powers conferred by this Regulation and within the scope of Directive (EU) 2015/849(*) of the European Parliament and of the Council to the extent that that Directive applies to financial sector operators and the competent authorities that supervise them. For this purpose only, EBA shall carry out the tasks conferred by any legally binding Union act on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority established by Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 or to the European Securities and Markets Authority established by Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010. When carrying out such tasks, the Authority shall consult those Authorities and keep them informed of its activities concerning any entity which is a "financial" institution" as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 or a "financial market participant" as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.';
(*) Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing, amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directive 2006/70/EC (OJ L 141, 5.6.2015, p. 73).';
(2) ▌Article 2 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall form part of a European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). The main objective of the ESFS shall be to ensure that the rules applicable to the financial sector are adequately implemented to preserve financial stability and to ensure confidence in the financial system as a whole and effective and sufficient protection for the customers of financial services.”
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. In accordance with the principle of sincere cooperation pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the parties to the ESFS shall cooperate with trust and full mutual respect, in particular in ensuring the flow of appropriate and reliable information among them and in relation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.”
(c) in paragraph 5 the following subparagraph is inserted:
“References in this Regulation to supervision include all relevant activities, without prejudice to national competences, of all competent authorities to be carried out pursuant to the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
(2a) Article 3 is replaced by the following:
“Article 3
Accountability of the European System of Financial Supervision
1. The Authorities referred to in points (a) to (e) of Article 2(2) shall be accountable to the European Parliament and to the Council. The European Central Bank shall be accountable to the European Parliament and to the Council with regard to the exercise of the supervisory tasks conferred on it by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013 in accordance with that Regulation.
2. During any investigations carried out by the European Parliament pursuant to Article 226 TFEU, the Authority shall cooperate fully with the European Parliament.
3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.
The Authority shall include in the annual report referred to in the first subparagraph information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, on international organisations or administrations in third countries, on the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions, and on the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with Article 33.
4. At the request of the European Parliament, the Chairperson shall participate in a hearing before the European Parliament on the performance of the Authority. A hearing shall take place at least annually. The Chairperson shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members, whenever so requested.
5. The Chairperson shall report in writing on the activities of the Authority to the European Parliament when requested and at least 15 days before making the statement referred to in paragraph 1c.
6. In addition to the information referred to in Articles 11 to 18 and Articles 20 and 33, the report shall also include any relevant information requested by the European Parliament on an ad hoc basis.
7. The Authority shall reply orally or in writing to questions addressed to it by the European Parliament or by the Council within five weeks of receipt of a question.
8. Upon request, the Chairperson shall hold confidential oral discussions behind closed doors with the Chair, Vice-Chairs and Coordinators of the competent committee of the European Parliament where such discussions are required for the exercise of the European Parliament's powers under Article 226 TFEU. All participants shall respect requirements of professional secrecy.
9. The Authority shall establish a register of documents and their status of accessibility.
10. The Authority shall provide to the European Parliament a meaningful summary of proceedings of any meetings of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the Financial Stability Board and the International Accounting Standards Board and any other relevant international body or institution concerning or affecting banking supervision.”
(3) Article 4 is amended as follows:
(a) point (1) is replaced by the following:
“(1) financial institutions’ means any undertaking subject to regulation and supervision pursuant to the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2); ";
(aa) the following point (1a) is inserted:
“(1a) 'financial sector operators' means any entity which is subject to Article 2 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 and which is also either a 'financial institution' as defined in Article 4(1) of this Regulation and in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 or a ‘financial market participant’ as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010";
(b) point (i) in point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(i) competent authorities as defined in point (40) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013, including the European Central Bank with regard to matters relating to the tasks conferred on it by Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013;";
(c) point (ii) of point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(ii) with regard to Directive 2002/65/EC the authorities and bodies competent for ensuring compliance with the requirements of that Directive by financial institutions;
(iia) with regard to Directive (EU) 2015/849 the authorities and bodies that supervise financial institutions and are competent for ensuring their compliance with the requirements of that Directive as referred to in Article 48 of that Directive";
(d) point (iii) in point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(iii) with regard to deposit guarantee schemes, bodies which administer deposit guarantee schemes pursuant to Directive 2014/49/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council or, where the operation of the deposit guarantee scheme is administered by a private company, the public authority supervising those schemes pursuant to that Directive, and relevant administrative authorities as referred to in that Directive; and";
(e) the following points (v) and (vi) of point (2) are added:
"(v) competent authorities as referred to in Directive 2014/17/EU; in Regulation 2015/751, in Directive EU 2015/2366, in Directive 2009/110/EC, in Regulation (EC) No 924/2009 and in Regulation (EU) No 260/2012;
(vi) bodies and authorities referred to in Article 20 of Directive 2008/48/EC.";
(4) Article 6 is amended as follows:
(a) point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(2) an Executive Board, which shall exercise the tasks set out in Article 47;";
(b) point (4) is deleted;
(4a) Article 7 is amended as follows:
“Article 7Seat
The Authority shall have its seat in Paris, France.
The location of the seat of the Authority shall not affect the Authority’s execution of its tasks and powers, the organisation of its governance structure, the operation of its main organisation, or the main financing of its activities, while allowing, where applicable, for the sharing with Union agencies of administrative support services and facility management services which are not related to the core activities of the Authority. By ... [date of application of this amending Regulation] and every 12 months thereafter, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the compliance of the European Supervisory Authorities with that requirement.”
(5) Article 8 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(-i) point (a) is amended as follows:
“(a) based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), to contribute to the establishment of high-quality common regulatory and supervisory standards and practices, in particular by developing draft regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations, and other measures, including opinions in accordance with Article 16a;
(i) the following point (aa) is replaced:
"(aa) to develop and maintain an up-to-date Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial institutions in the Union which sets out supervisory best practices and high quality methodologies and processes and takes into account, inter alia, changing business practices and business models and the size of financial institutions and markets;";
(ii) the following point (ab) is inserted:
"(ab) to develop and maintain an up-to-date Union resolution handbook on the resolution of financial institutions in the Union which sets out supervisory best practices and high quality methodologies and processes for resolution and takes into account, inter alia, changing business practices and business models and the size of financial institutions and markets;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) to contribute to the consistent application of legally binding Union acts, in particular by contributing to a common supervisory culture, ensuring consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), preventing regulatory arbitrage, fostering and monitoring supervisory independence, mediating and settling disagreements between competent authorities, ensuring effective and consistent supervision of financial institutions, ensuring a coherent functioning of colleges of supervisors and taking actions, inter alia, in emergency situations;"
(iii) points (e) and (f) are replaced by the following:
"(e) to organise and conduct reviews of competent authorities, with the support of national competent authorities, and, in that context, to issue ▐recommendations addressed to those competent authorities and to identify best practices and in that context to issue guidelines with a view to strengthening consistency in supervisory outcomes;
(f) to monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence including where relevant, developments relating to trends in credit, in particular, to households and SMEs and in innovative financial services and developments relating to trends in environmental, social and governance related factors;
(fa) to lead, together with competent authorities, benchmarking exercises on internal model outcomes with a view to analysing the range of variability of risk parameters as well as their predictive capacity, and, in that context, to issue regulatory technical standards, guidelines and reports;";
(iiia) point (g) is replaced by the following:
“(g) to undertake market analyses to inform the discharge of the Authority’s functions;”
(iv) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) to foster, where relevant, depositor, consumer and investor protection, in particular with regards to short-comings in a cross-border context and taking related risks into account;";
(iva) the following point (ia) is inserted:
“(ia) to contribute to the establishment of a common Union financial data strategy;”
(ivb) the following point (ka) is inserted:
“(ka) to publish on its website, and to update regularly, all regulatory technical standards, implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations and Q&As for each legislative act referred to in Article 1(2), including overviews that concern the state of play of ongoing work and the planned timing of the adoption of draft regulatory technical standards, draft implementing technical standards, guidelines recommendations and Q&As. These information shall be made available in all working languages of the European Union ;”
(v) the following point (l) is added:
"(l) to contribute to the consistent, efficient and effective prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money-laundering and terrorist financing.";
(b) ▌paragraph 1a is amended as follows:
(i) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) with due regard to the objective to ensure the safety and soundness of financial institutions, take fully into account the different types, business models and sizes of financial institutions.”
(ii) the following point (c) is inserted:
"(c) take account of technological innovation, innovative and sustainable business models, and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors.";
(c) in paragraph 2, the following are amended
(i) point (ca) is inserted:
"(ca) issue recommendations as laid down in Articles 29a and 31a;";
(ia) point (da) is inserted:
“(da) issue warnings in accordance with Article 9(3);”
(ib) points (ga), (gb) and (gc) are inserted:
“(ga) issue opinions to the European Parliament, the Council, or the Commission as provided for in Article 16a;
(gb) issue answers to questions, as laid down in Article 16b;
(gc) issue time-limited no-action letters, as laid down in Article 9c;”
(ii) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) collect the necessary information concerning financial institutions as provided for in Article 35 and Article 35b";
(ca) paragraph 2a is replaced by the following:
“2a. When carrying out the tasks referred to in this Article, the Authority shall strictly respect level 1 laws and level 2 measures and apply the principles of proportionality and better regulation, including impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses and open public consultations.
The open public consultations referred to in Articles 10, 15, 16 and 16a shall be conducted as widely as possible to ensure an inclusive approach towards all interested parties and shall allow reasonable time for stakeholders to respond. The Authority shall provide and publish feedback on how information and views gathered from the consultation were used in a draft regulatory technical standard, a draft implementing technical standard, guidelines, recommendations and opinions.
The Authority shall summarise the input received from stakeholders in a manner that allows for comparability of the results of public consultations on similar issues.”
(6) Article 9 is amended as follows:
(-a) in paragraph 1, point (a) is replaced by the following:
“(a) collecting, analysing and reporting on consumer trends, such as the development of costs and charges of retail financial services and products in Member States;”
(-aa) in paragraph 1, points (da), (db) and (dc) are added:
“(da) contributing to a level playing field in the single market where consumers and other users of financial services have fair access to comparable financial services, products and redress;
(db) to foster further developments in terms of regulation and supervision which could ease a deeper harmonization and integration at the EU level; to this end the Authority shall, in its area of expertise, monitor the obstacles or impact to cross-border consolidation and may provide an opinion or recommendations with the aim of identifying appropriate ways to address them;
(dc) coordinating mystery shopping activities of competent authorities.”
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall monitor new and existing financial activities and may adopt guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16 with a view to promoting the safety and soundness of markets, and convergence and effectiveness of regulatory and supervisory practices.
2a. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, develop standards on conduct of business supervision addressed to national competent authorities, such as on minimum powers and tasks.";
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Authority shall establish, as an integral part of the Authority, a Committee on proportionality, to ensure that the differences in the nature, scale and complexity of risks, changing business models and practice, and the size of financial institutions and markets is reflected in the work of the Authority, and a Committee on consumer protection and financial innovation, which brings together all relevant competent authorities and authorities responsible for consumer protection with a view to enhancing consumer protection and achieving a coordinated approach to the regulatory and supervisory treatment of new or innovative financial activities and providing advice for the Authority to present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Authority shall closely cooperate with the European Data Protection Board to avoid duplication, inconsistencies and legal uncertainty in the sphere of data protection. The Authority may also include national data protection authorities as part of the Committee.";
(ba) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The Authority may temporarily prohibit or restrict the marketing, distribution or sale of certain financial products, instruments or activities that have the potential to cause significant financial damage to customers or threaten the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union in the cases specified and under the conditions laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) or, if so required, in the case of an emergency situation in accordance with and under the conditions laid down in Article 18.
The Authority shall review the decision referred to in the first subparagraph at appropriate intervals, as soon as possible and at least every 6 months. The Authority may renew the prohibition or restriction twice, after which period it shall become permanent, unless the Authority considers otherwise.
A Member State may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. In that case, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
The Authority may also assess the need to prohibit or restrict certain types of financial activity or practice and, where there is such a need, inform the Commission and the competent authorities in order to facilitate the adoption of any such prohibition or restriction.”
(6a) the following Articles 9a and 9b are inserted:
"Article 9aSpecial tasks related to combating money-laundering and terrorist financing
1. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, take a leading, coordinating and monitoring role in promoting integrity, transparency and security in the financial system by means of adopting measures to prevent and combat money laundering and terrorist financing. In line with the principle of proportionality, these measures shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Regulation or the acts referred to in Article 1(2) and shall take duly into account nature, scale and complexity of risks, business practices, business models and size of financial sector operators and markets. These measures to prevent and combat money laundering and terrorist financing include:
(a) collecting and analysing relevant information from competent authorities and other sources relating to weaknesses identified in the processes and procedures, governance arrangements, fit and proper assessments, business models and activities of financial sector operators to prevent and combat money-laundering and terrorist financing as well as measures taken by competent authorities, without prejudice to the tasks assigned to authorities under Directive (EU) 2015/849. Competent authorities shall provide all such information to the Authority in addition to any obligations under Article 35. The Authority shall coordinate closely with Financial Intelligence Units, without creating any unnecessary duplicates;
(aa) coordinating closely, and, where appropriate, exchanging information, with competent authorities including the European Central Bank, in its supervisory capacity, and authorities entrusted with the public duty of supervising obliged entities listed in points (1) and (2) of Article 2 (1) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 as well as with Financial Intelligence Units, while taking due account of existing channels for the exchange of information such as the EU-FIU Platform and FIU.Net, to ensure efficiency and to avoid any form of duplicative or inconsistent actions in preventing and combating money-laundering and terrorist financing;
(b) developing common guidance and standards for preventing and combating money-laundering and terrorist financing in the financial sector and promoting their consistent implementation in particular by developing draft regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations, and other measures, including opinions in accordance with Article 16a, which shall be based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2);
(ba) providing assistance to competent authorities, following their specific requests;
(c) monitoring market developments and assessing vulnerabilities and risks to money-laundering, terrorist financing and, where applicable, tax good governance in the financial sector.
1a. For the purpose of point (a) in paragraph 1, the Authority shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify the practical modalities concerning the collection of relevant information including the type of information that shall be submitted by competent authorities relating to weaknesses identified in the processes and procedures, governance arrangements, fit and proper assessments, business models and activities of financial sector operators to prevent and combat money-laundering and terrorist financing as well as measures taken by competent authorities, without creating any unnecessary duplicates.
The Authority shall submit those draft regulatory technical standards to the Commission by [six months after entry into force of this Regulation].
Power is delegated on the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in paragraph 1a pursuant to Article 290 TFEU.
2. In compliance with data protection rules, the Authority shall establish and keep up to date a central database of information collected pursuant to point (a) in paragraph 1. The Authority shall ensure that information is analysed and made available to competent authorities on a need-to-know and confidential basis. The Authority may also, where appropriate, transmit to the national judicial authorities and the national competent authorities of the Member State concerned and, where applicable, to the European Public Prosecutor, evidence in its possession which could give rise to criminal proceedings.
3. The Authority shall promote convergence of supervisory processes referred to in Directive (EU) 2015/849 and assess the strategies, capacities and resources of the competent authorities to address emerging risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing, including by conducting ▐ reviews, in accordance with Article 30.
Where such a review reveals serious shortcomings in the identification, assessment or addressing of risks of money-laundering and terrorist financing and the competent authority does not take action to address the follow-up measures, that are deemed appropriate and necessary, as set out in the report referred to in Article 30(3), the Authority shall issue a follow-up report regarding compliance with requested follow-up measures and inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
4. The Authority shall, with support of the permanent internal committee on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing where appropriate, perform risk assessments on competent authorities with a main focus on competent authorities as referred to in point (iia) of Article 4(2)to test their strategies and resources to address and monitor the most important emerging risks related to money-laundering and terrorist financing. The Authority shall inform the Commission of the outcomes of such risk assessments on the risks of money-laundering and terrorist financing affecting the Union's financial sector, including by integrating the analysis of the outcomes in the opinion it is requested to deliver pursuant to paragraph 5 of Article 6 of Directive (EU) 2015/849.
5. In material cases of money-laundering or terrorist financing affecting cross border matters with third countries, the Authority shall have a leading role in contributing to facilitate cooperation between competent authorities in the Union and the relevant authorities in third countries.
6. The Authority shall establish a permanent internal committee on anti-money laundering and countering terrorist financing to coordinate measures in order to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing and to prepare draft decisions to be taken by the Authority in accordance with Article 44.
7. The committee shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors and shall be composed of the heads of the authorities and bodies competent for ensuring compliance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2015/849 by financial institutions. In addition, the Commission, the ESRB, the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the European Securities and Markets Authority may each nominate a high-level representative to participate in the committee meetings as observers, whose expertise on different business models and specificities of sectors shall be fully taken into consideration. The Committee may delegate some of its work to an internal working group that prepares the decisions of the committee.
Article 9bRequest for investigation related to the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing
1. In matters concerning the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/849, the Board of Supervisors or the Executive Board may, where it has evidence or significant indications of material breaches, request a competent authority as referred to in point (iia) of Article 4(2) to investigate possible breaches of Union law, and where such Union law is composed of Directives or explicitly grants options for Member States, breaches of national laws transposing Directives or exercising options granted to Member States by Union law, by a financial sector operator and to consider imposing sanctions on that operator in respect of such breaches. Where necessary, it may also request a competent authority as referred to in point (iia) of Article 4(2) to consider adopting an individual decision addressed to that financial sector operator requiring it to undertake all necessary action to comply with its obligations under directly applicable Union law, or under national laws transposing Directives or exercising options granted to Member States by Union law, including the cessation of any conduct. Where the Authority has substantial indications of material breaches, the actions referred to above shall be initiated without undue delay. The requests referred to in this paragraph shall not impede ongoing supervisory measures by the competent authority to which the request is addressed.
2. The competent authority shall comply with any request addressed to it in accordance with paragraph 1 and shall inform the Authority as soon as possible and within 10 working days at the latest of the steps it has taken or intends to take to comply with that request.
3. Without prejudice to the powers and obligations of the Commission under Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with paragraph 2 of this Article, Article 17 shall apply.";
(6aa) the following Article 9c is inserted:
Article 9c
Time-limited no-action letters
1. In exceptional circumstances, and if the conditions set out in this paragraph are met, the Authority may, in coordination with all relevant competent authorities, issue time-limited no-action letters with regard to specific provisions in Union law that are based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). These no-action letters are a temporary commitment by the Authority and all relevant competent authorities not to enforce financial institution’s non-compliance with specific provisions of Union law where the financial institutions cannot comply with such specific provisions because of at least one of the following reasons:
(a) compliance would place the financial institutions in breach of other legal and regulatory requirements of Union law;
(b) compliance without further level 2 measures or level 3 guidance is deemed not feasible by the Authority;
(c) compliance would seriously detriment or threat any of the following: market confidence, costumer or investor protection, the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or commodity markets, the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union.
The Authority shall not issue no-action letters if it deems that they would have a detrimental effect, which is disproportionate to its benefits, on the efficiency of financial markets or on costumer or investor protection.
2. The Authority shall specify in its no-action letter which specific provisions of Union law are subject to the non-enforcement, why it considers that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met and at which date the non-enforcement shall expire. The duration of such non-enforcement shall not exceed six months.
3. If the Authority decides to issue a no-action letter it shall immediately inform the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council thereof. Within two weeks after receiving this information, the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. At the initiative of the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council this period shall be extended by two weeks. In the case that either the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council request the Authority to reconsider its decision, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
4. If the Authority has issued a no-action letter in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 3, it shall immediately publish it on its website. The Authority shall review its decision to issue a no-action letter at appropriate intervals and may only renew it for one period of 6 months. If a decision to issue a no-action letter is not renewed after a six-month period or a one year, it shall automatically expire.
(6ab) Article 10 is replaced by the following:
“Article 10Regulatory technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council delegate power to the Commission to adopt regulatory technical standards by means of delegated acts pursuant to Article 290 TFEU in order to ensure consistent harmonisation in the areas specifically set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft regulatory technical standards. The Authority shall submit its draft regulatory standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Regulatory technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be delimited by the legislative acts on which they are based. The Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council as soon as practicable and in full of the progress made in developing the draft regulatory technical standards.
Before submitting them to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the Banking Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft regulatory technical standards in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard whether to adopt the said standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). Any delayed adoption of the draft regulatory standard shall not prevent the European Parliament and the Council from exercising their scrutiny powers in accordance with Article 13.
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft regulatory technical standard or to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send the draft regulatory technical standard back to the Authority, explaining why it does not endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments, and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of that six-week period, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, or has submitted a draft regulatory technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant, or reject it.
The Commission may not change the content of a draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. Where the Authority has not submitted a draft regulatory technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft regulatory technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt a regulatory technical standard by means of a delegated act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft regulatory technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the Banking Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft regulatory technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and to the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard within the six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant. The Commission shall not change the content of the draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The regulatory technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘regulatory technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(6b) In Article 13(1), the second subparagraph is deleted.
(6c) Article 15 is replaced by the following:
“Article 15Implementing technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council confer implementing powers on the Commission to adopt implementing technical standards by means of implementing acts pursuant to Article 291 TFEU, and in order to ensure uniform conditions for implementing legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft implementing technical standards. Implementing technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be to determine the conditions of application of those acts. The Authority shall submit its draft implementing technical standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Before submitting draft implementing technical standards to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations and shall analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the Banking Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft implementing technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft implementing technical standard in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require. If the Commission does not, in whole or in part, oppose the proposed implementing technical standard within the assessment period, it shall be deemed to be endorsed.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of the implementing technical standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2).
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft implementing technical standard or intends to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send it back to the Authority explaining why it does not intend to endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fifth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, or has submitted a draft implementing technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant or reject it.
The Commission shall not change the content of a draft implementing technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. In cases where the Authority has not submitted a draft implementing technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft implementing technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt an implementing technical standard by means of an implementing act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft implementing technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft implementing technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the Banking Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft implementing technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard within that six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant.
The Commission shall not change the content of the draft implementing technical standards prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The implementing technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘implementing technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(7) Article 16 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 ▌is replaced by the following:
"1. The Authority shall, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, and to ensuring the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law, issue guidelines or recommendations addressed to competent authorities or financial institutions.
The Authority may also address guidelines and recommendations to the authorities of Member States that are not defined as competent authorities under this Regulation but that are empowered to ensure the application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Guidelines and recommendations shall be in accordance with the mandate of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and take into account the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall not issue guidelines and recommendations on issues covered by level 1 empowerments for regulatory technical standards or implementing technical standards.
1a. The Authority may, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, issue guidelines addressed to all competent authorities or financial institutions for the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), based on the comply or explain implementation procedure referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. Those guidelines shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). In line with the above, competent authorities and financial institutions may establish additional practices regarding the method of compliance with the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).”
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, conduct open public consultations regarding the guidelines and recommendations and, where applicable questions and answers which it issues and shall analyse the related potential costs and benefits of issuing such guidelines and recommendations. Those consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the guidelines or recommendations. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, also request ▌advice from the Banking Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37. The Authority shall provide reasons when it does not conduct open public consultations or does not request advice from the Banking Stakeholder Group.";
(ba) the following paragraphs 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are inserted:
“2a. For the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may issue recommendations to one or more competent authorities or to one or more financial institutions.
2b. The Authority shall in its guidelines and recommendations state how it contributes to the establishment of consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, how it ensures the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and as well as how it respects the provisions in paragraphs 1, 1a and 2a.
2c. Guidelines and recommendations shall not merely refer to, or reproduce, elements of legislative acts. Before issuing a new guideline or recommendation, the Authority shall first review existing guidelines and recommendations, in order to avoid any duplication.
2d. Three months before issuing any of the guidelines and recommendations referred to in paragraph 1a and in paragraph 2a, the Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of the intended content of such guidelines and recommendations.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌is replaced by the following:
"4. In the report referred to in Article 43(5) the Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of the guidelines and recommendations that have been issued, explain how the Authority has justified issuing guidelines pursuant to paragraph 1a and recommendations pursuant to paragraph 2a, and summarise the feedback from public consultations on those guidelines pursuant to Article 8(2a). The report shall also state which competent authority has not complied with the guidelines and recommendations, and outline how the Authority intends to ensure that the competent authority concerned follow its guidelines and recommendations in the future.";
(d) the following paragraphs 5, 5a and 5b are added:
"5. Where two thirds of the members of the Banking Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a guideline pursuant to paragraph 1a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5a. Where at least half of the number of members of the Banking Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a recommendation pursuant to paragraph 2a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5b. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission may request an explanation justifying the issuance of the guidelines or recommendations concerned from the Authority. The Commission shall, on receipt of the explanation from the Authority, assess the scope of the guidelines or recommendations in view of the Authority's competence and send its assessment to the European Parliament and the Council. Where the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission considers that the Authority has exceeded its competence, and after having given the Authority the opportunity to state its views, the Commission may adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. Before such a decision is taken, and whenever so requested by the European Parliament, the Commission shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members. The European Parliament may request the Commission to adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. The decision of the Commission shall be made public.";
(7a) Articles 16a and 16b are inserted:
“Article 16aOpinions
1. On all issues related to its area of competence and upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority shall provide opinions to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Those opinions shall not be made public unless so specified in the request.
2. The request referred to in paragraph 1 may include a public consultation or a technical analysis.
3. With regard to assessments under Article 22 of Directive 2013/36/EC, and which according to that Directive require consultation between competent authorities from two or more Member States, the Authority may, at the request of one of the competent authorities concerned, issue and publish an opinion on such an assessment. The opinion shall be issued promptly and in any event before the end of the assessment period referred to in that Directive.
4. The Authority may, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission provide technical advice to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission during the ordinary legislative procedure and for delegated acts concerning any legislative proposal of the Commission in the areas set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 16bQuestions and answers
1. For the interpretation, practical application or implementation of the provisions of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or associated delegated and implementing acts, guidelines and recommendations adopted under those legislative acts, any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions, may submit a question to the Authority in any official language of the Union.
Before submitting a question to the Authority, financial institutions shall assess whether to first address the question to their competent authority.
The Authority shall publish on its website all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, after collecting and before answering them.
This process shall not preclude any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions from seeking confidential technical advice or clarification from the Authority.
2. The Authority shall publish on its website non-binding answers to all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of the natural or legal person that submitted the question or would involve risks to the stability of the financial system.
3. Before publishing answers to admissible questions, the Authority may consult with stakeholders in accordance with Article 16(2).
4. Answers by the Authority shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), and with associated delegated and implementing acts and guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to those legislative acts. Competent authorities and financial institutions may establish other practices for compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
5. The Authority shall review answers to questions as soon as it is deemed necessary and appropriate or at the latest 24 months after their publication in order to, where necessary, revise, update or withdraw them.
6. Where appropriate, the Authority shall take published answers into consideration when developing or updating guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16.”
(8) Article 17 is replaced by the following:
"1. Where a competent authority has not applied the acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way which appears to be a breach of Union law, including the regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards established in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, in particular by failing to ensure that a financial institution satisfies the requirements laid down in those acts, the Authority shall act in accordance with the powers set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of this Article.
2. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Banking Stakeholder Group, or on the basis of factual and well reasoned information by relevant organisations or institutions, or on its own initiative, and after having informed the competent authority concerned, the Authority shall respond to the request and, if appropriate, investigate the alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the competent authority shall, without delay, provide the Authority with all information which the Authority considers necessary for its investigation including as to how the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are applied in accordance with Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request for information directly to other competent authorities or relevant financial institutions, whenever requesting information from the competent authority concerned has proven or it is deemed insufficient to obtain the information necessary for the purpose of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law. Where it is addressed to financial institutions, the reasoned request shall explain why the information is necessary for the purposes of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
The addressee of such a request shall provide the Authority with clear, accurate and complete information without undue delay.
Where a request for information has been addressed to a financial institution, the Authority shall inform the relevant competent authorities of such a request. The competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information, where so requested by the Authority.
3. The Authority may initiate a process of arbitration with the competent authority concerned in order to discuss the action necessary to comply with Union law. The competent authority concerned shall sincerely cooperate in such an arbitration.
The Authority may, as soon as possible but not later than 4 months from initiating its investigation, address a recommendation to the competent authority concerned setting out the action necessary to comply with Union law.
The competent authority shall, within 10 working days of receipt of the recommendation, inform the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to ensure compliance with Union law.
4. Where the competent authority has not complied with Union law within 1 month from receipt of the Authority’s recommendation, the Commission may, after having been informed by the Authority, or on its own initiative, issue a formal opinion requiring the competent authority to take the action necessary to comply with Union law. The Commission’s formal opinion shall take into account the Authority’s recommendation.
The Commission shall issue such a formal opinion no later than 3 months after the adoption of the recommendation. The Commission may extend this period by 1 month.
The Authority and the competent authorities shall provide the Commission with all necessary information.
5. The competent authority shall, within 10 working days of receipt of the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4, inform the Commission and the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to comply with that formal opinion.
“6. Without prejudice to the powers and obligations of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4 within the period of time specified therein, and where it is necessary to remedy in a timely manner such non-compliance in order to maintain or restore neutral conditions of competition in the market or ensure the orderly functioning and integrity of the financial system, the Authority may, where the relevant requirements of the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are directly applicable to financial institutions or, in the context of matters relating to the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing, to financial sector operators, adopt an individual decision addressed to a financial institution or a financial sector operator requiring it to take all necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law, including the cessation of any conduct.
In matters concerning the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing, where the relevant requirements of the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are not directly applicable to financial sector operators, the Authority may adopt a decision requiring the competent authority to comply with the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4 within the period of time specified therein. If the authority does not comply with that decision, the Authority may also adopt a decision in accordance with the first sub-paragraph. To that effect, the Authority shall apply all relevant Union law, and where that Union law is composed of Directives, the national legislation transposing those Directives. Where the relevant Union law is composed of Regulations and where currently those Regulations explicitly grant options for Member States, the Authority shall apply also the national legislation exercising those options.
The decision of the Authority shall be in conformity with the formal opinion issued by the Commission pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article.
7. Decisions adopted in accordance with paragraph 6 shall prevail over any previous decision adopted by the competent authorities on the same matter.
When taking action in relation to issues which are subject to a formal opinion pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article or to a decision pursuant to paragraph 6, competent authorities shall comply with the formal opinion or the decision, as the case may be.
8. In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall set out which competent authorities and financial institutions have not complied with the formal opinions or decisions referred to in paragraphs 4 and 6 of this Article.”;
(8a) The following Article 17a is inserted:
“Article 17a
The Authority shall have in place dedicated reporting channels for receiving and handling information provided by a reporting person on reporting breaches or non-application of Union law. The Authority shall ensure that information may be submitted anonymously and safely. Where the Authority deems that the submitted information contains evidence or significant indications of material breaches, it shall provide feedback to the reporting person.”
(8b) In Article 18, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Where the Council has adopted a decision pursuant to paragraph 2, and in exceptional circumstances where coordinated action by competent authorities is necessary to respond to adverse developments which may seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union or customer and consumer protection, the Authority may adopt individual decisions requiring competent authorities to take the necessary action in accordance with the legislation referred to in Article 1(2) to address any such developments by ensuring that financial institutions and competent authorities satisfy the requirements laid down in that legislation.”
(9) Article 19 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. In cases specified in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) as well as in cases of significant disagreement between two or more national competent authorities concerning the application of those acts and without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 17, the Authority may assist the competent authorities in reaching an agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 to 4 in either of the following circumstances:
(a) at the request of one or more of the competent authorities concerned where a competent authority disagrees with the procedure or content of an action, proposed action, or inactivity of another competent authority;
(b) on its own initiative where on the basis of objective reasons, including on the basis of information from market participants or consumer organisations, disagreement can be determined between competent authorities.
In cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken by competent authorities, a disagreement shall be presumed in the absence of a joint decision being taken by those authorities within the time limits set out in those acts".;
(b) the following paragraphs 1a and 1b are inserted:
"1a. The competent authorities concerned shall in the following cases notify the Authority without delay that an agreement has not been reached:
(a) where a time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided for in the Union acts, referred to in Article 1(2), and the earlier of the following occurs :
(i) the time limit has expired;
(ii) one or more of the competent authorities concerned conclude that a disagreement exists, on the basis of objective reasons;
(b) where no time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2), and the earlier of the following occurs:
(i) one or more of the competent authorities concerned concludes that a disagreement exists on the basis of objective reasons; or
(ii) two months have elapsed from the date of receipt by a competent authority of a request from another competent authority to take certain action in order to comply with those Union acts and the requested authority has not yet adopted a decision that satisfies the request.
1b. The Chairperson shall assess whether the Authority should act in accordance with paragraph 1. Where the intervention is at the Authority’s own initiative, the Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of its decision regarding the intervention.
Pending the Authority’s decision in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 47(3a), in cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken, all competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their individual decisions. Where the Authority decides to act, all the competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their decisions until the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 is concluded.";
(c) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"Where the competent authorities concerned fail to reach an agreement within the conciliation phase referred to in paragraph 2, the Authority may take a decision requiring those authorities to take specific action or to refrain from certain action in order to settle the matter, in order to ensure compliance with Union law. The decision of the Authority shall be binding on the competent authorities concerned. . The Authority’s decision may require competent authorities to revoke or amend a decision that they have adopted or to make use of the powers which they have under the relevant Union law.";
(d) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of the conclusion of the procedures under paragraphs 2 and 3 together with, where applicable its decision taken under paragraph 3.";
(e) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. Without prejudice to the powers and obligations of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the decision of the Authority, and thereby fails to ensure that a financial institution or, in the context of matters relating to the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing, a financial sector operator complies with requirements directly applicable to it by virtue of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may adopt an individual decision addressed to that financial institution or financial sector operator requiring it to take all necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law, including the cessation of any practice.
In matters concerning the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing, the Authority may also adopt a decision in accordance with the first subparagraph where the relevant requirements of the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are not directly applicable to financial sector operators. To that effect, the Authority shall apply all relevant Union law, and where this Union law is composed of Directives, the national legislation transposing those Directives. Where the relevant Union law is composed of Regulations and where currently those Regulations explicitly grant options for Member States, the Authority shall apply also the national legislation exercising those options.”;
(9a) Article 21 is replaced by the following:
“Article 21Colleges of supervisors
1. The Authority shall promote and monitor, within the scope of its powers, the efficient, effective and consistent functioning of the colleges of supervisors where established by legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and foster the consistency of the application of Union law among the colleges of supervisors. With the objective of converging supervisory best practices, the Authority shall promote joint supervisory plans and joint examinations, and staff from the Authority shall have full participation rights in the colleges of supervisors and, as such, shall be able to participate in and, if duly justified, lead the activities of the colleges of supervisors, including on-site examinations, carried out jointly by two or more competent authorities.
2. The Authority shall lead in ensuring a consistent functioning of colleges of supervisors for cross-border institutions across the Union, taking account of the systemic risk posed by financial institutions referred to in Article 23, and shall, where appropriate, convene a meeting of a college.
For the purpose of this paragraph and of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall be considered a ‘competent authority’ within the meaning of the relevant legislation.
The Authority may:
(a) collect and share all relevant information in cooperation with the competent authorities in order to facilitate the work of the college and establish and manage a central system to make such information accessible to the competent authorities in the college;
(b) initiate and coordinate Union-wide stress tests in accordance with Article 32 to assess the resilience of financial institutions, in particular the systemic risk posed by financial institutions as referred to in Article 23, to adverse market developments, and evaluate the potential for systemic risk to increase in situations of stress, ensuring that a consistent methodology is applied at the national level to such tests and, where appropriate, address a recommendation to the competent authority to correct issues identified in the stress test, including to conduct specific assessments. It may request competent authorities to carry out on-site inspections, and may participate in such on-site inspections, in order to ensure comparability and reliability of methods, practices and results of Union-wide assessments;
(c) promote effective and efficient supervisory activities, including evaluating the risks to which financial institutions are or might be exposed as determined under the supervisory review process or in stress situations;
(d) oversee, in accordance with the tasks and powers specified in this Regulation, the tasks carried out by the competent authorities; and
(e) request further deliberations of a college in any cases where it considers that the decision would result in an incorrect application of Union law or would not contribute to the objective of convergence of supervisory practices. It may also require the consolidating supervisor to schedule a meeting of the college or add a point to the agenda of a meeting.
3. The Authority may develop draft regulatory and implementing technical standards as specified in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 10 to 15 to ensure uniform conditions of application with respect to the provisions regarding the operational functioning of colleges of supervisors and issue guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to Article 16 to promote convergence in supervisory functioning and best practices adopted by the colleges of supervisors.
4. The Authority shall have a legally binding mediation role to resolve disputes between competent authorities in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 19. The Authority may take supervisory decisions directly applicable to the institution concerned in accordance with Article 19.”
(10) Article 22 is replaced by the following:
Article 22
General provisions on systemic risks
1. The Authority shall duly consider systemic risk as defined by Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. It shall address any risk of disruption in financial services that:
(a) is caused by an impairment of all or parts of the financial system; and
(b) has the potential to have serious negative consequences for internal market and the real economy.
The Authority shall consider, where appropriate, the monitoring and assessment of systemic risk as developed by the ESRB and the Authority and respond to warnings and recommendations by the ESRB in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010.
2. The Authority shall, in collaboration with the ESRB, and in accordance with Article 23, develop a common set of quantitative and qualitative indicators (risk dashboard) to identify and measure systemic risk.
The Authority shall also develop an adequate stress-testing regime to help identifying those institutions that may pose systemic risk. These institutions shall be subject to strengthened supervision, and where necessary, to the recovery and resolution procedures referred to in Article 25.
3. Without prejudice to the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority shall draw up, as necessary, additional guidelines and recommendations for financial institutions, to take account of the systemic risk posed by them.
The Authority shall ensure that the systemic risk posed by financial institutions is taken into account when developing draft regulatory and implementing technical standards in the areas laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
4. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, Member States or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority may conduct an inquiry into a particular type of financial institution or type of product or type of conduct in order to assess potential threats to the stability of the financial system or to the protection of customers or consumers and make appropriate recommendations for action to the competent authorities concerned.
For those purposes, the Authority may use the powers ▌conferred on it under this Regulation, including Article 35 and 35b.
5. The Joint Committee shall ensure overall and cross-sectoral coordination of the activities carried out in accordance with this Article.";
(10a) In Article 23, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall, in consultation with the ESRB, develop criteria for the identification and measurement of systemic risk and an adequate stress-testing regime which includes an evaluation of the potential for systemic risk posed by or to financial institutions to increase in situations of stress, including potential environmental-related systemic risk. The financial institutions that may pose a systemic risk shall be subject to strengthened supervision, and where necessary, the recovery and resolution procedures referred to in Article 25.”
(10b) In Article 27(2), the third subparagraph is deleted.
(11) Article 29 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following point (aa) is inserted:
"(aa) issuing the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan in accordance with Article 29a;";
(ii) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) promoting an effective bilateral and multilateral exchange of information between competent authorities, pertaining to all relevant issues, including cyber security and cyber-attacks ▌, with full respect for the applicable confidentiality and data protection provisions provided for in the relevant Union legislation;";
(iii) point (e) is replaced by the following:
"(e) establishing sectoral and cross-sectoral training programmes, including with respect to technological innovation, facilitating personnel exchanges and encouraging competent authorities to intensify the use of secondment schemes and other tools;"
(iiia) the following point (ea) is inserted:
"(ea) putting in place a monitoring system to assess material environmental, social and governance-related risks, taking into account the COP 21 Paris agreement;";
(b) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority may, as appropriate, develop new practical instruments and convergence tools to promote common supervisory approaches and practices.
For the purpose of establishing a common supervisory culture, the Authority shall develop and maintain an up-to-date Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial institutions in the Union, taking duly into account nature, scale and complexity of risks, business practices, business models and size of financial institutions and markets. The Authority shall also develop and maintain an up-to-date Union resolution handbook on the resolution of financial institutions in the Union, taking duly into account the nature, scale and complexity of risks, business practices, business models and size of financial institutions and markets. Both the Union supervisory handbook and the Union resolution handbook shall set out best practices and shall specify high quality methodologies and processes.
The Authority shall take duly into account the supervisory handbook when carrying out its tasks, including assessment of potential breaches of Union law pursuant to Article 17, settling disputes pursuant to Article 19 and laying down and assessing Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives in accordance with Article 29a and carrying out reviews of competent authorities pursuant to Article 30.
The Authority shall, where appropriate, conduct open public consultations regarding the opinions referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 and tools and instruments referred to in paragraph 2 and analyse the related potential costs and benefits. Such consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the opinions or tools and instruments. The Authority shall, where appropriate, also request opinions or advice from the Banking Stakeholder Group.”;
(12) the following Article 29a is inserted:
"Article 29a
Union Strategic Supervisory Plan
1. The Authority shall, at least every three years and by 31 March, following a debate in the Board of Supervisors and taking into account contributions received from competent authorities, existing work by the EU Institutions and analysis, warnings and recommendations published by the ESRB, issue a recommendation addressed to competent authorities, laying down Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives and priorities ("Union Strategic Supervisory Plan") without prejudice to the specific national objectives and priorities of competent authorities. Competent authorities shall identify in their contributions the supervisory activities that in their view shall be prioritised by the Authority. The Authority shall transmit the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission and shall make it public on its website.
The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall identify specific priorities for supervisory activities in order to promote consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices and the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and to address relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities, anticipating developments including new business models, identified in accordance with Article 32. The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall not prevent national competent authorities from applying national best practices, acting on additional national priorities and developments, and shall consider national specificities.
2. Each competent authority shall ▌ specifically stipulate how their annual work programme is aligned with the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan.
▌
4. Each competent authority shall as part of its annual report dedicate a chapter on the implementation of the annual work programme.
The chapter shall include at least the following information:
(a) a description of the supervisory activities and examinations of financial institutions, market practices and behaviours and of financial markets, and on the administrative measures and sanctions imposed against financial institutions responsible for breaches of Union and national law;
(b) a description of activities that were carried out and which were not foreseen in the annual work programme;
(c) an account of the activities provided for in the annual work programme that were not carried out and of the objectives of that programme that were not met, as well as the reasons for the failure to carry out those activities and to reach those objectives.
5. The Authority shall assess the information laid down in the dedicated chapter referred to in paragraph 4. Where there are material risks of not attaining the priorities set out in the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan the Authority shall issue a recommendation to each competent authority concerned on how the relevant shortcomings in its activities can be remedied.
Based on the reports and its own assessment of risks, the Authority shall identify the activities of the competent authority that are critical to fulfilling the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan and shall, as appropriate, conduct reviews under Article 30 of those activities.
6. The Authority shall make best practices identified during the assessment of the annual work programmes publicly available.";
(13) Article 30 is amended as follows:
(a) the title of the article is replaced by the following:
"Reviews of competent authorities";
(b) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. On its own initiative or upon request by the European Parliament or the Council, the Authority shall periodically conduct reviews of some or all of the activities of competent authorities, to further strengthen consistency and effectiveness in supervisory outcomes. To that end, the Authority shall develop methods to allow for objective assessment and comparison between the competent authorities reviewed. When identifying competent authorities to be reviewed and conducting reviews, existing information and evaluations already made with regard to the competent authority concerned, including relevant information provided to the Authority in accordance with Article 35, and any relevant information from stakeholders, in particular possible deficiencies of and misconduct by a competent authority, shall be taken into account.";
(c) the following paragraph is inserted:
“1a. For the purposes of this Article, the Authority shall establish an ad hoc review committee chaired by the Authority, and composed of staff from the Authority, accompanied and supported, on a voluntary and rotating basis, by up to five representatives of different competent authorities excluding the competent authority under review ▌.”
(d) paragraph 2 is amended as follows:
(i) the introductory sentence is replaced by the following:
"The review shall include an assessment of, but shall not be limited to:";
(ii) point (a) is replaced by the following:
"(a) the adequacy of resources, the degree of independence, and governance arrangements of the competent authority, with particular regard to the effective application of the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) and the capacity to respond to market developments;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the effectiveness and the degree of convergence reached in the application of Union law and in supervisory practice, including regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards, guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to Articles 10 to 16, and the extent to which the supervisory practice achieves the objectives set out in Union law, including the objectives of common supervisory culture under Article 29 and of the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan under Article 29a;”
(iib) point (c) is replaced by the following:
“(c) the application of best practices developed by some competent authorities;“
(e) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. The Authority shall produce a report setting out the results of the review. That report shall explain and indicate the follow-up measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary, as a result of the review. Those follow-up measures may be adopted in the form of guidelines and recommendations pursuant to Article 16, and opinions pursuant to Article29(1)(a), addressed to the relevant competent authorities.
▌The Authority shall issue a follow-up report regarding compliance with requested follow-up measures. ▌
When developing draft regulatory technical standards or draft implementing technical standards in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, or guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16, the Authority shall take into account the outcome of the review, along with any other information acquired by the Authority in carrying out its tasks, in order to ensure convergence of the highest quality supervisory practices.";
(f) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall submit an opinion to the Commission where, having regard to the outcome of the review or to any other information acquired by the Authority in carrying out its tasks, it considers that further harmonisation of Union rules applicable to financial institutions or competent authorities would be necessary from the Union perspective or where it considers that a competent authority has not applied the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way that appears to breach Union law.";
(g) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. The Authority shall publish the reports referred to in paragraph 3 including any follow-up report, unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system. The competent authority that is subject to the review shall be invited to comment before the publication of any report. Before publication, the Authority shall, where appropriate, take those comments into account. The Authority may publish those comments as an annex to the report unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system or the competent authority objects to the publication. The report produced by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3 and the guidelines, recommendations and opinions adopted by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3a shall be published simultaneously.";
(14) ▌Article 31 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, subparagraph 1, point (e) is replaced by the following:
“(e) taking ▌appropriate measures in case of developments which may jeopardise the functioning of the financial markets with a view to the coordination of actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(b) in paragraph 1, subparagraph 1, point (ea) is inserted:
“(ea) taking appropriate measures to facilitate the uptake of technological innovation with a view to the coordination of actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(c) a paragraph 1a is added:
“1a. The Authority shall take appropriate measures to facilitate entry into the market of operators or products relying on technological innovation. In order to contribute to the establishment of a common European approach towards technological innovation the Authority shall promote supervisory convergence, with the support, where relevant, of the committee on financial innovation and, in particular through the exchange of information and best practices. Where appropriate, the Authority may adopt guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16.;”
(15) the following Article 31a is inserted:
"Article 31aCoordination on delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfers
1. The Authority shall on an ongoing basis coordinate supervisory actions of competent authorities with a view to promoting supervisory convergence in the fields of delegation and outsourcing of activities by financial institutions as well as in relation to risk transfers conducted by them into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3▐. Within their respective competences, the competent authorities bear ultimate responsibility for authorisation, supervision and enforcement decisions with regard to delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfers.
2. The competent authorities shall notify the Authority where they intend to carry out an authorisation or registration o a financial institution which would be under supervision of the competent authority concerned in accordance with the acts referred to in Article 1(2) and where the business plan of the financial institution entails the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of the key functions or the risk transfer of a material part of its activities into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union. The notifications by competent authorities to the Authority shall be sufficiently detailed ▌.
▌
3. Where the Union legislation referred to in Article 1(2) applies and where it does not impose any specific requirement to the notification of outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer, a financial institution shall notify the competent authority of the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of its key functions, and the risk transfer of a material part of its activities, to another entity or its own branch established in a third country. The competent authority concerned shall inform the Authority of such notifications on a semi-annual basis.
Without prejudice to Article 35, at the request of the Authority, the competent authority shall provide information in relation to the outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements by financial institutions.
The Authority shall monitor whether the competent authorities concerned verify that outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements referred to in the first subparagraph are concluded in accordance with Union law, comply with guidelines, recommendations or opinions from the Authority and do not prevent effective supervision by the competent authorities and enforcement in a third country.
3a. If a competent authority’s verification arrangements prevent effective supervision or enforcement and entail risks for regulatory arbitrage across Member States, the Authority may issue recommendations to the competent authority concerned on how to improve its verification arrangements including a deadline until which the competent authority should implement the recommended changes. If the concerned competent authority does not follow the recommendations, it shall state the reasons and the Authority shall make its recommendations public together with those reasons.
3b. The Commission shall within [one year from the entry into force of this amending regulation] draw up a report, which takes stock of the different approaches in sectoral legislation with regards to assessing, the materiality of the activity to be outsourced or delegated and which investigates the possibility for a more harmonised approach in this regard via the potential specification of common criteria and methodology. The Commission shall submit this report to the European Parliament and the Council.
In doing so, the Commission shall take into account:
(a) the continuity of activity,
(b) the effective management capacity,
(c) effective capacity to audit delegated and outsourced activities as well as risk transfers."
▌
(15a) the following Article 31b is inserted:
"Article 31b
Information exchange on fitness and propriety
The Authority shall, together with EIOPA and ESMA, establish a system for the exchange of information relevant to the assessment of the fitness and propriety of holders of qualifying holdings, directors and key function holders of financial institutions by competent authorities in accordance with the acts referred to in Article 1(2)."
(16) Article 32 isreplaced by the following:
“Article 32Assessment of market developments
, including stress tests
1. The Authority shall monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence and, where necessary, inform the two other ESAs, the ESRB and the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission about the relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities. The Authority shall include in its assessments an ▌analysis of the markets in which financial institutions operate and an assessment of the impact of potential market developments on such institutions.
2. The Authority shall ▌ initiate and coordinate Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial institutions to adverse market developments in a realistic manner. To that end it shall develop:
(a) common methodologies for assessing the effect of economic scenarios on an institution's financial position;
(aa) common methodologies for identifying financial institutions to be included in Union-wide assessments;
(b) common approaches to communication on the outcomes of those assessments of the resilience of financial institutions;
(c) common methodologies for assessing the effect of particular products or distribution processes on an institution; ▐
(d) common methodologies for asset evaluation, as necessary, for the purpose of the stress testing;and
(da) common methodologies for assessing the effect of environmental risks on the financial stability of institutions.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Authority shall cooperate with the ESRB, which shall avoid any potential conflict of interest with regard to the conduct of monetary policies.
2a. At least annually, the Authority, in cooperation with the SSM, shall consider whether it is appropriate to carry out Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 and shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasoning. Where such Union-wide assessments are carried out, the Authority shall disclose the results for each participating financial institution, unless it considers such disclosure to be inappropriate having regard to the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or the functioning of the internal market.
Professional secrecy obligations of competent authorities shall not prevent the competent authorities from publishing the outcome of Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 or from transmitting the outcome of such assessments to the Authority for the purpose of the publication by the Authority of the results of Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial institutions.
3. Without prejudice to the tasks of the ESRB set out in Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010, the Authority shall, once a year, and more frequently if necessary, provide assessments to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the ESRB of trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities in its area of competence, in combination with the risk dashboard referred to in Article 22(2).
The Authority shall include a classification of the main risks and vulnerabilities in these assessments and, where necessary, recommend preventative or remedial actions.
3a. For the purpose of running the Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial institutions under this Article, the Authority may, in accordance with Article 35 and subject to the conditions set out therein, request information directly from those financial institutions. It may also require competent authorities to conduct specific reviews. It may request competent authorities to carry out on-site inspections, and may participate in such on-site inspections in accordance with Article 21 and subject to the conditions set out therein, in order to ensure comparability and reliability of methods, practices and results.
3b. The Authority may request that the competent authorities require that financial institutions subject to an independent audit information that they must provide under paragraph 3a.
4. The Authority shall ensure an adequate coverage of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities by closely cooperating with the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) through the Joint Committee.";
▌
(17) Article 33 is replaced by the following:
"Article 33
International relations including equivalence
1. Without prejudice to the respective competences of the Member States and the Union institutions, the Authority may develop contacts and enter into administrative arrangements with regulatory, supervisory and, where applicable, resolution authorities, international organisations and the administrations of third countries. Those arrangements shall not create legal obligations in respect of the Union and its Member States nor shall they prevent Member States and their competent authorities from concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements with those third countries.
Where a third country, in accordance with a delegated act in force adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council, is on the list of jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union, the Authority shall not conclude cooperation arrangements with the regulatory, supervisory and, where applicable, resolution authorities of that third country.
2. The Authority shall assist the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions pertaining to regulatory and supervisory regimes in third countries following a specific request for advice from the Commission, on their own initiative, or where required to do so by the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
2a. The Authority shall, on an ongoing basis, monitor regulatory and supervisory and, where applicable, resolution developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which equivalence decisions have been adopted by the Commission pursuant to the acts referred to in Article 1(2) in order to verify whether the criteria, on the basis of which those decisions have been taken and any conditions set out therein, are still fulfilled. The Authority shall submit a confidential report on its findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the two other ESAs every three years or more frequently where appropriate or where requested by the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission. The report shall focus in particular on implications for financial stability, market integrity, investor protection or the functioning of the internal market.
Without prejudice to specific requirements set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities, and where applicable, also with resolution authorities, of third countries whose regulatory and supervisory regimes have been recognised as equivalent. That cooperation shall be pursued on the basis of administrative arrangements concluded with the relevant authorities of those third countries. When negotiating such administrative arrangements, the Authority shall include provisions on the following:
(a) the mechanisms which allow the Authority to obtain relevant information, including information on the regulatory regime, the supervisory approach, relevant market developments and any changes that may affect the decision on equivalence;
(b) to the extent necessary for the follow-up of such decisions on equivalence, the procedures concerning the coordination of supervisory activities including on-site inspections conducted under the responsibility of the Authority, where appropriate, accompanied and supported by up to five representatives of different competent authorities on a voluntary and rotating basis, and by the competent authority of the third country.
The Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and the other ESAs where a third-country competent authority refuses to conclude such administrative arrangements or when it refuses to effectively cooperate. The Commission shall take this information into account when reviewing the relevant equivalence decisions.
2b. Where the Authority identifies developments in relation to the regulation, supervision or, where applicable, resolution, or the enforcement practices in the third countries referred to in paragraph 2a that may impact the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or investor protection or the functioning of the internal market, it shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on a confidential basis and without delay.
▌
2c. The competent authorities shall inform the Authority in advance of their intentions to conclude any administrative arrangements with third-country supervisory authorities in any of the areas governed by the acts referred to in Article 1(2), including in relation to branches of third country entities. They shall provide to the Authority a draft of such planned arrangements as soon as possible.
The Authority may cooperate with the competent authorities to develop model administrative arrangements, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the Union and to strengthening international supervisory coordination. The competent authorities shall follow such model arrangements as closely as possible.
Where the Authority in cooperation with the competent authorities develops such model administrative arrangements, the competent authorities shall not conclude administrative arrangements with third country authorities before the completion of the model arrangement.
In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall include information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, international organisations or administrations in third countries, the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions and the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with paragraph 2a.
▐
3a. The Authority shall seek full membership of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and of the Financial Stability Board, and shall seek observer status on the International Accounting Standards Monitoring Board.
Any position to be taken by the Authority in international fora shall first be discussed and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
3b. The Authority shall, where appropriate, monitor regulatory, supervisory and where applicable, resolution developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which international agreements have been concluded.
Without prejudice to the specific requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities and, where applicable, also with resolution authorities, of the third countries referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph.";
(18) Article 34 is deleted.
(19) Article 35 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
"1. At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall provide the Authority with all the necessary information to carry out the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation, provided that they have legal access to the relevant information.
The information provided shall be accurate, complete and submitted within the time limit prescribed by the Authority.
2. The Authority may also request information to be provided at recurring intervals and in specified formats or by way of comparable templates approved by the Authority. Such requests shall, always where possible, be made using existing common reporting formats and shall respect the principle of proportionality provided for in national and Union law, including in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
3. At the request of a competent authority, the Authority shall provide any information it holds that is necessary to enable the competent authority to carry out its tasks▐.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. Where information requested in accordance with paragraph 1 is not available or is not made available by the competent authorities within the time limit set by the Authority, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request to any of the following:
(a) other authorities with supervisory functions;
(b) to the ministry responsible for finance in the Member State concerned where it has at its disposal prudential information;
(c) to the national central bank of the Member State concerned;
(d) to the statistical office of the Member State concerned.
At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information.";
(c) paragraphs 6 and 7a are deleted :
(20) the following Articles 35a to 35d are inserted:
"Article 35aExercise of the powers referred to in Article 35b
The powers conferred on the Authority, any of its officials or another person authorised by the Authority in accordance with Article 35 shall not be used to require the disclosure of information or documents that are subject to legal privilege.
Articles 35a and 35b shall apply without prejudice to national law.
Article 35bRequest for information to financial institutions, holding companies or branches of relevant financial institutions and non-regulated operational entities within a financial group or conglomerate
1. Where information requested under paragraph 1 or paragraph 5 of Article 35 is not available or is not made available within the time limit set by the Authority, it may, without creating any data duplicates, require the following institutions and entities to provide the necessary information to enable the Authority to carry out its duties under this Regulation:
(a) relevant financial institutions;
(b) holding companies or branches of a relevant financial institution;
(c) non-regulated operational entities within a financial group or conglomerate that are significant to the financial activities of the relevant financial institutions.
▌
4. Within a reasonable time limit set by the Authority, the relevant institutions and entities listed in paragraph 1 or their legal representatives ▌shall supply the information requested.▌
5. The authority shall send, without delay, a copy of the ▌request ▌to the competent authority of the Member State where the relevant entity listed in paragraph 1 concerned by the request for information is domiciled or established.
6. The Authority may use confidential information received in accordance with this Article only for the purposes of carrying out the tasks assigned to it by this Regulation.
Article 35cProcedural rules for imposing fines
1. Where, in carrying out its duties under this Regulation, the Authority finds that there are serious indications of the possible existence of facts liable to constitute an infringement as referred to in Article 35d(1), the Authority shall request the Commission to investigate the matter. ▌
▌
Article 35dFines
and periodic penalty payments
-1. Before taking any decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment, the Commission shall give the institution or entity subject to the request for information the opportunity to be heard.
The Commission shall base its decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment only on the findings on which the institutions or entities concerned have had the opportunity to comment.
1. The Commission shall adopt a decision to impose a fine where it finds that an institution or entity listed in Article 35b(1) has, intentionally or negligently, failed to provide information required or has provided incomplete, incorrect or misleading information ▌pursuant to Article 35b(1).
2. The basic ▌fine referred to in paragraph 1 shall amount to at least EUR [X; lower than EUR 50 000] and shall not exceed EUR [Y; lower than EUR 200 000] and shall be dissuasive, effective and proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
The Authority, together with ESMA and EIOPA, shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying the methodology for setting fines in accordance with this paragraph.
▌5. ▌The total fine shall not exceed [X%; lower than 20%] of the annual turnover of the entity concerned in the preceding business year unless the entity has directly or indirectly benefitted financially from the infringement. In that case, the total fine shall be at least equal to that financial benefit.
5a. The Commission may impose a periodic penalty payment until the infringement is corrected. The periodic penalty payment shall be proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
5b. The rights of defence of the institution or entity shall be fully respected during the procedure. The institution or entity shall be entitled to have access to the files of the Authority and of the Commission, subject to the legitimate interest of other persons in protecting their business secrets. The right of access to file shall not extend to confidential information or internal preparatory documents of the Authority or the Commission.
5c. Enforcement of the fine or periodic penalty payment may only be suspended by a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The institutions or entities subject to a fine or periodic penalty payment may institute proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union against a decision of the Commission to impose a fine or periodic penalty payment. The Court may, among others, annul, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty payment imposed by the Commission.
5d. The Commission shall disclose to the public every fine and periodic penalty payment that has been imposed, unless such disclosure to the public would seriously jeopardise financial markets or cause disproportionate damage to the parties involved.
5e. The amounts of the fines and periodic penalty payments shall be allocated to the general budget of the Union. “
▌(21) Article 36 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 3 is deleted.
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to the Authority, the Authority shall discuss that warning or recommendation at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors or, where appropriate, earlier, in order to assess the implications of, and possible follow-up to, such a warning or recommendation for the fulfilment of its tasks.
It shall decide, by the relevant decision-making procedure, whether any actions are to be taken in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation for addressing the issues identified in the warnings and recommendations and on the content of that action.
If the Authority does not act on a warning or recommendation, it shall explain to the ESRB its reasons for not doing so. The ESRB shall inform the European Parliament thereof in accordance with Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. The ESRB shall also inform the Council and the Commission thereof.”
(c) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to a competent authority, the Authority may, where relevant, use the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation to ensure a timely follow-up.
Where the addressee intends not to follow the recommendation of the ESRB, it shall inform and discuss with the Board of Supervisors its reasons for not acting."
(d) paragraph 6 is deleted.
(22) Article 37 is replaced by the following:
"Article 37
Banking Stakeholder Group
1. To help facilitate consultation with stakeholders in areas relevant to the tasks of the Authority, a Banking Stakeholder Group shall be established. The Banking Stakeholder Group shall be consulted on actions taken in accordance with Articles 10 to 15 concerning regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards and, to the extent that these do not concern individual financial institutions, Article 16 concerning guidelines and recommendations, Article 16a concerning opinions and Article 16b concerning questions and answers. If actions must be taken urgently and consultation becomes impossible, the Banking Stakeholder Group shall be informed as soon as possible.
The Banking Stakeholder Group shall meet on its own initiative as necessary, and in any event at least four times a year.
2. The Banking Stakeholder Group shall be composed of 30 members, 13 members representing in balanced proportions credit and investment institutions operating in the Union, three of whom shall represent cooperative and savings banks, 13 members representing their employees’ representatives, consumers, users of banking services and representatives of SMEs and four of its members shall be independent top-ranking academics.
3. The members of the Banking Stakeholder Group shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors following an open and transparent selection procedure. In making its decision, the Board of Supervisors shall, to the extent possible, ensure an appropriate reflection of diversity of the banking sector, geographical and gender balance and representation of stakeholders across the Union. Members of the Banking Stakeholder Group shall be selected according to their qualifications, skills, relevant knowledge and proven expertise.
3a. Members of the Banking Stakeholder Group shall elect the Chair of that Group from among its Members. The position of Chair shall be held for a period of two years.
The European Parliament may invite the Chair of the Banking Stakeholder Group to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.
4. The Authority shall provide all necessary information subject to professional secrecy as set out in Article 70 and ensure adequate secretarial support for the Banking Stakeholder Group. Adequate compensation shall be provided to members of the Banking Stakeholder Group representing non-profit organisations, excluding industry representatives. This compensation shall take into account the members' preparatory and follow-up work and shall be at least equivalent to the reimbursement rates of officials pursuant to Title V, Chapter 1, Section 2 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (Staff Regulations). The Banking Stakeholder Group may establish working groups on technical issues. Members of the Banking Stakeholder Group shall serve for a period of four years, following which a new selection procedure shall take place.
The members of the Banking Stakeholder Group may serve two successive terms.
5. The Banking Stakeholder Group may submit advice to the Authority on any issue related to the tasks of the Authority with particular focus on the tasks set out in Articles 10 to 16b and Articles 29, 30, 32 and 35.
Where members of the Banking Stakeholder Group cannot agree on advice, one third of its members or the members representing one group of stakeholders shall be permitted to issue a separate advice.
The Banking Stakeholder Group, the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group, and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group may issue joint advice on issues related to the work of the European Supervisory Authorities under Article 56 of this Regulation on joint positions and common acts.
6. The Banking Stakeholder Group shall adopt its rules of procedure by a majority of two-thirds of its members.
7. The Authority shall make public the advice of the Banking Stakeholder Group, the separate advice of its Members, and the results of its consultations as well as how advice and results of consultations have been taken into account. ";
(b) in paragraph 5, the following subparagraphs are added:
"Where members of the Banking Stakeholder Group cannot reach a common opinion or advice, the members representing one group of stakeholders shall be permitted to issue a separate opinion or separate advice.
The Banking Stakeholder Group, the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group, and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group may issue joint opinions and advice on issues related to the work of the European Supervisory Authorities under Article 56 of this Regulation on joint positions and common acts.";
(22a) Article 38(1) is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall ensure that no decision adopted pursuant to Article 18, 19 or 20 impinges in any way on the fiscal responsibilities of Member States.”
(23) Article 39 is replaced by the following:
"Article 39Decision-making procedures
1. The Authority shall act in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 6 when adopting decisions pursuant to Articles 17, 18 and 19.
2. The Authority shall inform any addressee of a decision of its intention to adopt the decision, in the official language of the addressee, setting a time limit within which the addressee may express its views on the subject-matter of the decision, taking full account of the urgency, complexity and potential consequences of the matter. The addressee may express its views in its official language. The provision laid down in the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis to recommendations as referred to in Article 17(3).
3. The decisions of the Authority shall state the reasons on which they are based.
4. The addressees of decisions of the Authority shall be informed of the legal remedies available under this Regulation.
5. Where the Authority has taken a decision pursuant to Article 18(3) or Article 18(4), it shall review that decision at appropriate intervals.
6. The adoption of the decisions which the Authority takes pursuant to Articles ▌18 or 19 shall be made public. The adoption of decisions that the Authority takes pursuant to Article 17 may be made public. The publication shall disclose the identity of the competent authority or financial institution concerned and the main content of the decision, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of those financial institutions or with the protection of their business secrets or could seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system of the Union.";
(24) Article 40 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following points (aa) and (ab) are inserted:
"(aa) the full time members of the Executive Board referred to Article 45(1), who shall be non-voting;
(ab) the head of the Member State’s administration in charge of negotiating and adopting the acts referred to in Article 1(2) for the purpose of acting within the scope of Articles 10 to 15";
(ia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the head of the national public authority competent for the supervision of credit institutions in each Member State for the purpose of acting within the scope of any competence except those laid down in Articles 10 to 15, who shall meet in person at least twice a year;”
(ib) point (e) is replaced by the following:
“(e) one representative of the ESRB, who shall be non-voting and who shall refrain from taking positions induced by the conduct of monetary policies;”
(ib) the following point (fa) is inserted:
“(fa) one representative of the SRB, who shall be non-voting;”
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Each ▐authority shall be responsible for nominating a high-level alternate from its authority, who may replace the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in paragraphs 1(ab) and 1(b), where that person is prevented from attending.”
(ab) paragraph 4a is deleted.
(ac) paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:
“6. For the purpose of acting within the scope of Directive 94/19/EC, the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in paragraph 1(b) may, where appropriate, be accompanied by a representative from the relevant bodies which administer deposit-guarantee schemes in each Member State, who shall be non-voting.
Where the national public authority referred to in paragraph 1(b) is not responsible for resolution, the member of the Board of Supervisors may decide to invite a representative from the resolution authority, who shall be non-voting.”
(ad) the following paragraph is inserted:
“6a. For the purpose of actions to be taken within the scope of Articles 10 to 15, one representative of the Commission shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Supervisors, and one representative of the European Parliament shall be observer and one representative of each Member State’s administrations may be observer on the Board of Supervisors.”
(b) paragraph 7 is replaced by the following:
“7. The Board of Supervisors may invite observers.”
(c) the following paragraph 8 is added:
"8. Where the national public authority referred to in paragraph 1(b) is not responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection rules, the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in that point may decide to invite a representative from the Member State’s consumer protection authority, who shall be non-voting. In the case where the responsibility for consumer protection is shared by several authorities in a Member State, those authorities shall agree on a common representative.";
(25) Article 41 is replaced by the following:
"Article 41Internal committees
"The Board of Supervisors may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it. The Board of Supervisors may provide for the delegation of certain clearly defined tasks and decisions to internal committees, to the Executive Board or to the Chairperson.";
(26) ▌Article 42 ▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 42Independence
of the Board of Supervisors
When carrying out the tasks conferred upon them by this Regulation, the Chairperson and the ▌members of the Board of Supervisors shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Board of Supervisors in the performance of their tasks.
When the degree of independence referred to in point (a) of Article 30(2) has been assessed to be insufficient in accordance with that Article, the Board of Supervisors may decide either to temporarily suspend the voting rights of the individual member or to temporarily suspend his or her membership of the Authority until the deficiency has been remedied.";
(27) Article 43 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. The Board of Supervisors shall give guidance to the work of the Authority and be the main decision making body for strategic decisions and major policy decisions.
Save as otherwise provided in this Regulation the Board of Supervisors shall adopt ▌recommendations, guidelines, opinions and decisions of the Authority, and issue the advice referred to in Chapter II▌.";
(b) paragraphs 2 and 3 are deleted;
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌is replaced by the following:
"The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, before 30 September of each year, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the work programme of the Authority for the coming year, and shall transmit it for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
The Authority shall set out its priorities with regard to reviews identifying, where appropriate, competent authorities and activities subject to reviews in accordance with Article 30. If duly justified, the Authority may identify additional competent authorities to review.
The work programme shall be adopted without prejudice to the annual budgetary procedure and shall be made public.";
(d) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in Article 47(9f) and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.";
(e) paragraph 8 is deleted;
(27a) the following Article 43a is inserted:
"Article 43a
Transparency of decisions adopted by the Board of Supervisors
Notwithstanding Article 70, within at most six weeks from the date of a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the Authority shall, at the minimum, provide the European Parliament with a comprehensive and meaningful record of the proceedings of that meeting of the Board of Supervisors that enables a full understanding of the discussions, including an annotated list of decisions. "
(28) Article 44 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Decisions of the Board of Supervisors shall be taken by a simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
With regard to the decisions on the development and adoption of acts, drafts and instruments specified in Articles 10 to 16 and measures and decisions adopted under the third subparagraph of Article 9(5), Article 9a and Chapter VI and by way of derogation from the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the Board of Supervisors shall take decisions on the basis of a qualified majority of its members, as defined in Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union, which shall include at least a simple majority of the members, present at the vote, from competent authorities of Member States that are participating Member States as defined in point 1 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013 (participating Member States) and a simple majority of the members, present at the vote, from competent authorities of Member States that are not participating Member States as defined in point 1 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1024/2013 (non-participating Member States). The full time members of the Executive Board and the Chairperson shall not vote on these decisions.
With regard to decisions adopted under Article 18(3) and (4), and by way of derogation from the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the Board of Supervisors shall take decisions on the basis of a simple majority of its voting members, which shall include a simple majority of its members from competent authorities of participating Member States and a simple majority of its members from competent authorities of non-participating Member States.
(a) paragraph 1a is inserted:
1a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32, and 35b to 35d pursuant to Article 47(3) by a simple majority of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35h, it may amend these decisions. The Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt these amended decisions by a majority of three quarters of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the amended decisions referred to in the second subparagraph as soon as possible and within a period of four months at the latest, the Executive Board shall take the decision.";
(b) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure. The rules of procedure shall set out in detail the arrangements governing voting.”
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The non-voting members and the observers shall not participate in any discussions within the Board of Supervisors relating to individual financial institutions, unless otherwise provided for in Article 75(3) or in the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
The first subparagraph shall not apply to the Chairperson, the members that are also members of the Executive Board and the European Central Bank representative nominated by its Supervisory Board.";
(29) in Chapter III, the title of Section 2 is replaced by the following:
"Section 2
Executive Board"
(30) Article 45 is replaced by the following:
"Article 45Composition
1. The Executive Board shall be composed of the Chairperson and three full time members, which shall be nationals of a Member State. The Chairperson shall assign clearly defined policy and managerial tasks to each of the full time members, in particular responsibilities for budgetary matters and for matters relating to the work programme of the Authority, and for convergence matters. One of the full time members shall act as a Vice Chairperson and carry out the tasks of the Chairperson in his or her absence or reasonable impediment, in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The full time members shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge and practical experience of financial institutions within their different business models, and markets particularly in banking, including consumer interests and experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation. The full time members shall have extensive management experience. At least one of the full time members should during the one year prior to being appointed not have been employed by a national competent authority. The selection shall be based on an open call for candidates, to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, following which the Commission shall draw up a shortlist of qualified candidates, while consulting the Board of Supervisors.
The Commission shall submit the shortlist to the European Parliament for approval. Following the approval of that shortlist, the Council shall adopt a decision to appoint the full time members of the Executive Board ▌. The composition of the Executive Board shall be balanced and proportionate and shall reflect the Union as a whole.
3. Where a full time member of the Executive Board no longer fulfils the conditions set out in Article 46 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on their own initiative or on a proposal from the Commission which has been approved by the European Parliament, adopt a decision to remove him or her from office.
4. The term of office of the full time members shall be 5 years and shall be renewable once. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 5-year term of office of the full time member, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way in which they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
Taking into account the evaluation, the Commission shall submit the list of the full time members to be renewed to the Council. Based on this list and taking into account the evaluation, the Council may extend the term of office of the full time members.";
(31) the following Article 45a is inserted:
"Article 45aDecision-making
1. Decisions by the Executive Board shall be adopted by simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. If requested by the Chairperson or at least by three members of the Executive Board, the decisions shall be referred to the Board of Supervisors.
2. The representative of the Commission shall participate in meetings of the Executive Board without the right to vote save in respect of matters referred to in Article 63.
3. The Executive Board shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure.
4. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be convened by the Chairperson at his own initiative or at the request of one of its members, and shall be chaired by the Chairperson.
The Executive Board shall meet prior to every meeting of the Board of Supervisors and as often as the Executive Board deems necessary. It shall report regularly to the Board of Supervisors and meet at least eleven times a year.
5. ▌The non-voting participants shall not attend any discussions within the Executive Board relating to individual financial institutions.
5a. The Board of Supervisors shall be entitled to send specific requests for information to the Executive Board. ";
(32) the following Article 45b is inserted:
"Article 45bInternal committees
The Executive Board may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it.";
(33) Article 46 is replaced by the following:
"Article 46Independence
of the Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌or from any other public or private body.
Members of the Executive Board shall not hold any office at national, Union, or international level.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Executive Board in the performance of their tasks.";
(34) Article 47 is replaced by the following:
"Article 47Tasks
1. The Executive Board shall ensure that the Authority carries out its mission and performs the tasks assigned to it in accordance with this Regulation. It shall take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The Executive Board shall propose, for adoption by the Board of Supervisors, an annual and multi-annual work programme.
3. The Executive Board shall exercise its budgetary powers in accordance with Articles 63 and 64.
For the purposes of Articles 17, 19,, 22(4) and 30, ▌ the Executive Board shall be competent to act and to take decisions. For the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35d, the Executive Board shall be competent to prepare decisions which shall be subject to the decision-making procedure laid down in paragraph 1a of Article 44. The Executive Board shall keep the Board of Supervisors informed of all decisions it prepares and takes.
3a. The Executive Board shall examine and give an opinion ▌on all matters to be decided by the Board of Supervisors.
4. The Executive Board shall adopt the Authority's staff policy plan and, pursuant to Article 68(2), the necessary implementing measures of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities ('the Staff Regulations’).
5. The Executive Board shall adopt the special provisions on right of access to the documents of the Authority, in accordance with Article 72.
6. The Executive Board shall propose an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in paragraph 9(f) to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
7. The Executive Board shall appoint and remove the members of the Board of Appeal in accordance with Article 58(3) and (5), taking duly into account a proposal by the Board of Supervisors.
8. The members of the Executive Board shall make public all meetings held and any hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations
9. The Member in charge shall have the following specific tasks:
(a) to implement the annual work programme of the Authority under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors and under the control of the Executive Board;
(b) to take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation;
(c) to prepare a multi-annual work programme, as referred to in Article 47(2);
(d) to prepare a work programme by 30 June of each year for the following year, as referred to in Article 47(2);
(e) to draw up a preliminary draft budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 63 and to implement the budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 64;
(f) to prepare an annual draft report to include a section on the regulatory and supervisory activities of the Authority and a section on financial and administrative matters;
(g) to exercise in respect to the Authority’s staff, the powers laid down in Article 68 and to manage staff matters.";
(35) Article 48 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
"The Chairperson shall be a national of a Member State and shall be responsible for preparing the work of and chairing the meetings of the Board of Supervisors and the Executive Board.";
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. For the purpose of selection of the Chairperson, the Commission shall establish a Selection Committee composed of six high level independent individuals. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall each appoint two members of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee shall appoint its Chair from among its members. The Selection Committee shall decide by a simple majority on the publication of the vacancy notice, the selection criteria and the specific job profile, the composition of the pool of applicants as well as on the method by which the pool of applicants is screened in order to draw up a gender-balanced shortlist of at least two candidates. In the event of a tie, the Chair of the Selection Committee shall have a casting vote.
The Chairperson shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge of financial institutions and markets, particularly in banking, following an open call for candidates to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Chairperson shall have a significant number of years of recognised experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation and also of senior management experience, be able to demonstrate leadership skills and high standards of efficiency, ability and integrity, and have proven knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union.
The Selection Committee shall submit the shortlist of candidates for the position of the Chairperson to the European Parliament and the Council. The European Parliament may invite the selected candidates to in camera or public hearings, submit written questions to the candidates, object to the designation of a candidate and recommend its preferred candidate. The European Parliament and the Council shall adopt a joint decision to appoint the Chairperson from the shortlist of candidates.
2a. Where the Chairperson no longer fulfil the conditions required for the performance of his duties including those referred to in Article 49 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on a proposal from the Commission or on their own initiative, adopt a joint decision to remove him or her from office. When drafting its proposal, the European Commission shall consult with national competent authorities.";
(ba) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Chairperson’s term of office shall be eight years and shall not be renewable.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌is replaced by the following:
""4. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 8-year term of office of the Chairperson, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
For the purpose of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a temporary alternate Chair from among its members.";
(d) paragraph 5 is deleted;
(35a) Article 49 is replaced by the following:
“Article 49
Independence of the Chairperson
Without prejudice to the role of the Board of Supervisors in relation to the tasks of the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▐ or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the Chairperson in the performance of his tasks.
In accordance with the Staff Regulations referred to in Article 68, the Chairperson shall, after leaving service, continue to be bound by the duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance of certain appointments or benefits.”
(36) Article 49a is replaced by the following:
"Article 49aExpenses
The Chairperson shall make public all meetings held with external stakeholders within a period of two weeks following the meeting and any hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations.";
(37) Articles 50, 51, 52, 52a and 53 are deleted;
(38) Article 54 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely to ensure cross-sectoral consistency, while taking full account of sectoral specificities, with the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), in particular, where required by Union law, regarding:
– financial conglomerates and cross-border consolidation,
– accounting and auditing,
– micro-prudential analyses of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities for financial stability,
– retail investment products,
– cybersecurity,
– information and best practice exchange with the ESRB and ▌the ESAs,
– retail financial services and consumer and investor protection issues;
– the application of the principle of proportionality.";
▌
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. With regard to the Authority's tasks related to preventing and combating of money-laundering and terrorist financing, the Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely with the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority on matters relating to the interaction between the specific tasks of the Authority referred to in point (l) of Article 8(1) and the tasks conferred on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority.
The Joint Committee may assist the Commission in assessing the conditions and the technical specifications and procedures for ensuring secure and efficient inter-connection of the centralised automated mechanisms pursuant to the report as referred in article 32a(5) of Directive (EU) 2018/843 as well as in the effective interconnection of the national registers under Directive (EU) 2018/843.";
(39) ▌Article 55 ▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 55
Composition
1. The Joint Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the ESAs▐.
2. One member of the Executive Board, a representative of the Commission and the second chair of ESRB and, where relevant, the Chairperson of any Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee shall be invited to the meetings of the Joint Committee, as well as where relevant of any Sub-Committees referred to in Article 57, as observers.
3. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be appointed on an annual rotational basis from among the Chairpersons of the ESAs. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be the second Vice-Chair of the ESRB.
4. The Joint Committee shall adopt and publish its own rules of procedure. The Joint Committee may invite observers. The Joint Committee shall reach joint positions by consensus.
The Joint Committee shall meet at least once every three months.
4a. The Chairperson of the Authority shall regularly consult and inform the Board of Supervisors on any position taken in the meetings of the Joint Committee and its sub-committees.";
(39a) Article 56 is replaced by the following:
“Article 56
Joint positions and common acts
Within the scope of its tasks in Chapter II, and in particular with respect to the implementation of Directive 2002/87/EC, where relevant, the Authority shall seek to reach joint positions with the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) and with the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), as appropriate.
Where required by Union law, acts pursuant to Articles 10 to 19 of this Regulation in relation to the application of Directive 2002/87/EC and of any other Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) that also fall within the area of competence of the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) or the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority) shall be adopted, in parallel, by the Authority, the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority), and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority).
Where the decision of the Authority deviates from the joint position referred to in paragraph 1, or where no decision could be taken, the Authority shall without delay inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasons.”
(39a) Article 57 is replaced by the following:
“Article 57
Sub-Committees
1. The Joint Committee may establish sub-committees for the purposes of preparing draft joint positions and common acts to the Joint Committee.
2. The Sub-Committees shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the ESAs, and one high-level representative from the current staff of the relevant competent authority from each Member State.
3. The Sub-Committees shall elect a Chairperson from among representatives of the relevant competent authorities, who shall also be an observer in the Joint Committee.
3a. For the purposes of Article 56, a Sub-Committee on financial conglomerates to the Joint Committee shall be established.
4. The Joint Committee shall make public on its website all established Sub-Committees including their mandates and a list of their members with their respective functions in the Sub-Committee.”
(40) Article 58 is amended as follows:
(-a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Board of Appeal of the European Supervisory Authorities is hereby established.”
(-aa) in paragraph 2, subparagraph 1 is replaced by the following:
2. The Board of Appeal shall be composed of six members and six alternates, who shall be individuals of a high repute with a proven record of relevant knowledge of Union law and of having international professional experience, to a sufficiently high level in the fields of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities markets or other financial services, excluding current staff of the competent authorities or other national or Union institutions involved in the activities of the Authority and members of the Banking Stakeholder Group. Members shall be nationals of a Member State and shall have a thorough knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union. The Board of Appeal shall have sufficient legal expertise to provide expert legal advice on the legality and proportionality of the Authority’s exercise of its powers.”
(a) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. Two members of the Board of Appeal and two alternates shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority from a short-list proposed by the Commission, following a public call for expressions of interest published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and after consultation of the Board of Supervisors.
After having received the shortlist, the European Parliament may invite candidates for members and alternates to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members before they are appointed.
The European Parliament may invite the members of the Board of Appeal to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. A member of the Board of Appeal appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority shall not be removed during his term of office, unless he has been found guilty of serious misconduct and the Executive Board takes a decision to that effect after consulting the Board of Supervisors.";
(ba) paragraph 8 is replaced by the following:
“8. The ESAs shall ensure adequate operational and permanent secretarial support for the Board of Appeal through the Joint Committee.”
(41) in Article 59, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. The members of the Board of Appeal shall be independent in making their decisions. They shall not be bound by any instructions. They shall not perform any other duties in relation to the Authority, its Executive Board or its Board of Supervisors.
2. Members of the Board of Appeal and staff of the Authority providing operational and secretariat support shall not take part in any appeal proceedings in which they have any personal interest, if they have previously been involved as representatives of one of the parties to the proceedings, or if they have participated in the decision under appeal.";
(42) in Article 60, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. Any natural or legal person, including competent authorities, may appeal against a decision of the Authority referred to in Articles 16, 16a, 17, 18, 19, and 35 including regarding its proportionality and any other decision taken by the Authority in accordance with the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) which is addressed to that person, or against a decision which, although in the form of a decision addressed to another person, is of direct and individual concern to that person.
2. The appeal, together with a statement of grounds, shall be filed in writing at the Authority within three months of the date of notification of the decision to the person concerned, or, in the absence of a notification, of the day on which the Authority published its decision.
The Board of Appeal shall decide upon the appeal within 3 months after the appeal has been lodged."
(43) Article 62 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. The revenues of the Authority shall consist, without prejudice to other types of revenue, of any combination of the following:
(a) a balancing contribution from the Union, entered in the General Budget of the Union (Commission section) which shall be at least 35% of the estimated revenues of the Authority;
(aa) obligatory contributions of up to 65% of the estimated revenues of the Authority from the national public authorities competent for the supervision of financial institutions;
(b) depending on the evolution of the scope of institution-specific supervision, annual contributions from financial institutions, based on the annual estimated expenditure relating to the activities required by this Regulation and by the Union Acts referred to in Article 1(2) for each category of participants within the remit of the Authority;
(c) any fees paid to the Authority in the cases specified in the relevant instruments of Union law.
(d) contributions from Member States or observers;
(e) charges for publications, training and for any other services requested by competent authorities.
1a. The revenues received by the Authority shall not compromise its independence or objectivity.";
(aa) in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph is added:
“Estimates shall be based on the objectives and the expected results of the annual work programme referred to in Article 47(2) and shall take into account the financial resources necessary to achieve those objectives and expected results.”
(b) the following paragraph is added:
▐
5. Voluntary contributions from Members States and observers as referred to in point (d) of paragraph 1 shall not be accepted if such acceptance would cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the Authority.";
▐
(45) Article 63 is replaced by the following:
"Article 63Establishment of the budget
1. Each year, the Member in charge shall draw up a provisional draft single programming document of the Authority for the three following financial years setting out the estimated revenue and expenditure, as well as information on staff, from its annual and multi-annual programming and shall forward it to the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors, together with the establishment plan.
1a. The Chairperson shall present the draft single programming document to the European Parliament and the Council, after which the Board of Supervisors shall, on the basis of the draft which has been approved by the Executive Board, adopt the draft single programming document for the three following financial years.
1b. The ▌single programming document shall be transmitted by the Executive Board to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council and the European Court of Auditors by 31 January. Without prejudice to the adoption of the annual budget, the European Parliament shall approve the single programming document.
2. Taking account of the ▌single programming document, the Commission shall enter in the draft budget of the Union the estimates it deems necessary in respect of the establishment plan and the amount of the balancing contribution to be charged to the general budget of the Union in accordance with Articles 313 and 314 of the Treaty.
3. The budgetary authority shall adopt the establishment plan for the Authority. The budgetary authority shall authorise the appropriations for the balancing contribution to the Authority and approve the limit for the total expenditures of the Authority.
4. The budget of the Authority shall be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. It shall become final after the final adoption of the general budget of the Union. Where necessary, it shall be adjusted accordingly.
5. The Executive Board shall, without delay, notify the budgetary authority of its intention to implement any project which may have significant financial implications for the funding of its budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings.
5a. The budgetary authority shall authorise any project which may have significant financial or long term implications for the funding of the Authority’s budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings, including break clauses.";
(46) Article 64 is replaced by the following:
"Article 64Implementation and control of the budget
"1. The Member in charge shall act as authorising officer and shall implement the Authority’s annual budget.
2. The Authority’s accounting officer, who shall be independent, shall send the provisional accounts to the Commission’s accounting officer and to the Court of Auditors by 1 March of the following year. Article 70 shall not preclude the Authority from providing to the European Court of Auditors any information requested by the Court that is within the Court’s competence.
3. The Authority's accounting officer shall send by 1 March of the following year the required accounting information for consolidation purposes to the accounting officer of the Commission, in the manner and format laid down by that accounting officer.
4. The Authority’s accounting officer shall also send the report on budgetary and financial management to the members of the Board of Supervisors, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors by 31 March of the following year.
5. After taking account of the observations of the Court of Auditors on the provisional accounts of the Authority in accordance with Article 148 of the Financial Regulation, the Authority's accounting officer, acting on its own responsibility, shall draw up the Authority's final accounts. The Member in charge shall send them to the Board of Supervisors, which shall deliver an opinion on these accounts.
6. The Authority's accounting officer shall send the final accounts, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Supervisors, by 1 July of the following year to the accounting officer of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors.
The Authority's accounting officer shall also send by 1 July, a reporting package to the Commission's accounting officer, in a standardised format as laid down by the Commission's accounting officer for consolidation purposes.
7. The final accounts shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by 15 November of the following year.
8. The Member in charge shall send the Court of Auditors a reply to the latter’s observations by 30 September. He shall also send a copy of that reply to the Executive Board and the Commission.
9. The Member in charge shall submit to the European Parliament, at the latter’s request and as provided for in Article 165(3) of the Financial Regulation, any information necessary for the smooth application of the discharge procedure for the financial year in question.
10. The European Parliament, following a recommendation from the Council acting by qualified majority, shall, before 15 May of the year N + 2, grant a discharge to the Authority for the implementation of the budget for the financial year N.
10a. The Authority shall provide a reasoned opinion on the position of the European Parliament and on any other observations made by the European Parliament provided in the discharge procedure.";
(46a) the following Article 64a is inserted:
“Article 64aInternal Audit of the Authority
The Authority shall establish an Internal Audit Committee which shall provide an opinion to the European Parliament and the Council on the discharge of that part of the budget which is not financed by the Union budget.”
(47) Article 65 is replaced by the following:
"Article 65Financial rules
The financial rules applicable to the Authority shall be adopted by the Executive Board after consulting the Commission. Those rules may not depart from Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013* for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 unless the specific operational needs for the functioning of the Authority so require and only with the prior agreement of the Commission.
* Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 7.12.2013, p. 42).";
(48) in Article 66, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. For the purposes of combating fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council** shall apply to the Authority without any restriction.
**Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).";
(49) Article 68 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. The Staff Regulations, the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and the rules adopted jointly by the Union institutions for the purpose of applying them shall apply to the staff of the Authority, including the full time members of the Executive Board and its Chairperson.
2. The Executive Board, in agreement with the Commission, shall adopt the necessary implementing measures, in accordance with the arrangements provided for in Article 110 of the Staff Regulations.";
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Executive Board shall adopt provisions to allow national experts from Member States to be seconded to the Authority.";
(50) Article 70 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Members of the Board of Supervisors and all members of the staff of the Authority including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis shall be subject to the requirements of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 339 TFEU and the relevant provisions in Union legislation, even after their duties have ceased.
Article 16 of the Staff Regulations shall apply to all members of staff of the Authority, including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis.";
(b) in paragraph 2, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
"The obligation under paragraph 1 and the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall not prevent the Authority and the competent authorities from using the information for the enforcement of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), and in particular for legal procedures for the adoption of decisions.";
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. The Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors shall ensure that individuals who provide any service, directly or indirectly, permanently or occasionally, relating to the tasks of the Authority, including officials and other persons authorised by the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors or appointed by the competent authorities for that purpose, are subject to the requirements of professional secrecy equivalent to those in the previous paragraphs.
The same requirements for professional secrecy shall also apply to observers who attend the meetings of the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors who take part in the activities of the Authority.";
(d) ▌paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:
"3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not prevent the Authority from exchanging information with competent authorities in accordance with this Regulation and other Union legislation ▌.
Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to any person who reports or discloses information on a threat or harm to the public interest in the context of their work-based relationship.
The information referred to in paragraph 2 shall be subject to the conditions of professional secrecy referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. The Authority shall lay down in its internal rules of procedure the practical arrangements for implementing the confidentiality rules referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. The Authority shall apply Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444.
4a. The Authority shall have in place dedicated reporting channels for receiving and handling information provided by a reporting person on actual or potential breaches of Union acts or abuse of law or cases of maladministration.";
(51) Article 71is replaced by the following:
"This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the obligations of Member States relating to their processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 or the obligations of the Authority relating to its processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) No 2018/XXX (Data Protection Regulation for EU institutions and Bodies) when fulfilling its responsibilities.";
(52) in Article 72, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall adopt practical measures for applying Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.";
(53) in Article 73, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall decide on the internal language arrangements for the Authority.";
(54) in Article 74, the first paragraph is replaced by the following:
"The necessary arrangements concerning the accommodation to be provided for the Authority in the Member State where its seat is located and the facilities to be made available by that Member State, as well as the specific rules applicable in that Member State to the staff of the Authority and members of their families shall be laid down in a Headquarters Agreement between the Authority and that Member State concluded after obtaining the approval of the Executive Board.";
(54a) in Article 75, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
“2. The Authority shall cooperate with the countries referred to in paragraph 1, applying legislation which has been recognised as equivalent in the areas of competence of the Authority referred to in Article 1(2), as provided for in international agreements concluded by the Union in accordance with Article 218 TFEU.
3. Under the relevant provisions of the agreements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, arrangements shall be made specifying, in particular, the nature, scope and procedural aspects of the involvement of the countries referred to in paragraph 1, in particular in relation to countries that are members of the European Economic Area, in the work of the Authority, including provisions relating to financial contributions and to staff. They may provide for representation, as an observer, in the governance of the Authority, but shall ensure that those countries do not attend any discussions relating to individual financial institutions, except where there is a direct interest.”
(55) the following Article 75a is inserted:
"Article 75aExercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
▌
3. The delegation of power referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 35d(2) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016.
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 35d(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of three months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by three months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.";
(56) Article 76 is replaced by the following:
"Article 76Relationship with the CEBS
The Authority shall be considered the legal successor of CEBS. By the date of establishment of the Authority, all assets and liabilities and all pending operations of CEBS shall be automatically transferred to the Authority. CEBS shall establish a statement showing its closing asset and liability situation as of the date of that transfer. That statement shall be audited and approved by CEBS and by the Commission."
(57) new Article 77a is inserted:
Article 77aTransitional provisions
The tasks and position of the Executive Director appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive (EU) 2015/2366 and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.
The tasks and position of the Chairperson appointed in accordance with this Regulationas last amended by Directive (EU) 2015/2366 and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall continue until its expiry.
The tasks and position of the members of the Management Board appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive (EU) 2015/2366 and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.".
(57a) Article 79 is deleted.
(57b) Article 80 is deleted.
(57c) Article 81 is replaced by the following:
“Article 81
Review
1. By ... [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission shall publish a general report on the experience acquired as a result of the operation of the Authority and the procedures laid down in this Regulation. That report shall evaluate, inter alia:
(a) the effectiveness and convergence in supervisory practices reached by competent authorities:
(i) the ▐ independence of the competent authorities and convergence in standards equivalent to corporate governance;
(ii) the impartiality, objectivity and autonomy of the Authority;
(b) the functioning of the colleges of supervisors;
(c) the progress achieved towards convergence in the fields of crisis prevention, management and resolution, including Union funding mechanisms;
(d) the role of the Authority as regards systemic risk;
(e) the application of the safeguard clause established in Article 38;
(f) the application of the binding mediation role established in Article 19;
(fa) the functioning of the decision-making of the Joint Committee;
(fb) the obstacles or impact to cross-border consolidation pursuant to Article 8 of this Regulation.
2. The report referred to in paragraph 1 shall also examine whether:
(a) it is appropriate to continue separate supervision of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities and financial markets;
(b) it is appropriate to undertake prudential supervision and supervise the conduct of business separately or by the same supervisor;
(c) it is appropriate to simplify and reinforce the architecture of the ESFS in order to increase the coherence between the macro and the micro levels and between the ESAs;
(d) the evolution of the ESFS is consistent with that of the global evolution;
(e) there is sufficient diversity and excellence within the ESFS;
(f) accountability and transparency in relation to publication requirements are adequate;
(g) the resources of the Authority are adequate to carry out its responsibilities;
(h) it is appropriate for the seat of the Authority to be maintained or to move the ESAs to a single seat to enhance better coordination between them.
2a. As part of the general report referred to in paragraph 1 the Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the issuance of no-action letters pursuant to Article 9c of this Regulation.
2b. The Commission shall submit the assessments referred to in paragraph 2a, together with legislative proposals, if appropriate, to the European Parliament and the Council by [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation].
3. Concerning the issue of direct supervision of institutions or infrastructures of pan-European reach and taking account of market developments, the stability of the internal market and the cohesion of the Union as a whole, the Commission shall draw up an annual report on the appropriateness of entrusting the Authority with further supervisory responsibilities in this area.
4. The report and any accompanying proposals, as appropriate, shall be forwarded to the European Parliament and to the Council.”
(57d) the following Article 81a is added:
“Article 81aAssessment of the specific tasks conferred to the Authority related to preventing and combating money-laundering and terrorist financing
1. The Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the specific tasks conferred to the Authority pursuant to point (1) of Article 8(1) of this Regulation. As part of its assessment, the Commission shall analyse the interaction between those tasks and the tasks conferred on the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority. In addition, the Commission shall, based on a comprehensive cost and benefit analysis as well as following the objective of ensuring consistency, efficiency and effectiveness, thoroughly investigate the possibility of conferring specific tasks with regard to the prevention and combat of money-laundering and terrorist financing to an existing or new dedicated EU-wide agency.
2. The Commission shall submit the assessment referred to in paragraph 1 as part of its report pursuant to Article 65 of Directive (EU) 2018/843, and together with legislative proposals, if appropriate, to the European Parliament and the Council by 11 January 2022.”
Article 2Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010
Regulation (EU) 1094/2010 is amended as follows:
(1) Article 1 is amended as follows:
(aa) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall act within the powers conferred by this Regulation and within the scope of Directive 2009/138/EC with the exception of Title IV thereof, of Directives 2002/92/EC, 2003/41/EC, 2002/87/EC, Directive 2009/103/EC*, Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council** and, to the extent that those acts apply to insurance undertakings, reinsurance undertakings, institutions for occupational retirement provision and insurance intermediaries, within the relevant parts of Directive 2002/65/EC, including all directives, regulations, and decisions based on those acts, and of any further legally binding Union act which confers tasks on the Authority.
* Directive 2009/103/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 relating to insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles, and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability (OJ L 263, 7.10.2009, p. 11).
** Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p.19)";
(ab) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Authority shall also act in the field of activities of insurance undertakings, reinsurance undertakings, financial conglomerates, institutions for occupational retirement provision and insurance intermediaries, in relation to issues not directly covered in the acts referred to in paragraph 2, including matters of corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting, taking into account sustainable business models and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors, provided that such actions by the Authority are necessary to ensure the effective and consistent application of those acts.”
(ac) paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:
“6. The objective of the Authority shall be to protect the public interest by contributing to the short, medium and long-term stability and effectiveness of the financial system, for the Union economy, its citizens and businesses. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, contribute to:
(a) improving the functioning of the internal market, including, in particular, a sound, effective and consistent level of regulation and supervision;
(b) ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency and orderly functioning of financial markets;
(c) strengthening international supervisory coordination;
(d) preventing regulatory arbitrage and promoting equal conditions of competition;
(e) ensuring the taking of risks related to insurance, reinsurance and occupational pensions activities is appropriately regulated and supervised;▐
(f) enhancing customer and consumer protection;
(fa) enhancing supervisory convergence across the internal market, including promoting a risk-based approach to conduct of business supervision.
For those purposes, the Authority shall contribute to ensuring the consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in paragraph 2, foster supervisory convergence, and provide opinions in accordance with Article 16a to the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission ▌.
In the exercise of the tasks conferred upon it by this Regulation, the Authority shall pay particular attention to any systemic risk posed by financial institutions, the failure of which may impair the operation of the financial system or the real economy.
When carrying out its tasks, the Authority shall act independently, objectively and in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, in the interests of the Union as a whole and shall respect the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall apply the principles of accountability and integrity and should ensure that all stakeholders are treated fairly in this regard.
The content and form of the Authority's actions and measures shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Regulation or the acts referred to in paragraph 2 and shall be proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the risks inherent in the business of an institution or markets that is affected by the Authority's action.”
(2) ▌Article 2 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall form part of a European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). The main objective of the ESFS shall be to ensure that the rules applicable to the financial sector are adequately implemented to preserve financial stability and to ensure confidence in the financial system as a whole and effective and sufficient protection for the customers of financial services.”
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. In accordance with the principle of sincere cooperation pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the parties to the ESFS shall cooperate with trust and full mutual respect, in particular in ensuring the flow of appropriate and reliable information among them and in relation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.”
(c) in paragraph 5 the following subparagraph is inserted:
“References in this Regulation to supervision include all relevant activities, without prejudice to national competences, of all competent authorities to be carried out pursuant to the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
(2a) Article 3 is replaced by the following:
“Article 3Accountability of the
European System of Financial Supervision
1. The Authorities referred to in points (a) to (e) of Article 2(2) shall be accountable to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2. During any investigations carried out by the European Parliament pursuant to Article 226 TFEU, the Authority shall cooperate fully with the European Parliament.
3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.
The Authority shall include in the annual report referred to in the first subparagraph information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, on international organisations or administrations in third countries, on the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions, and on the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with Article 33.
4. At the request of the European Parliament, the Chairperson shall participate in a hearing before the European Parliament on the performance of the Authority. A hearing shall take place at least annually. The Chairperson shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members, whenever so requested.
5. The Chairperson shall report in writing on the activities of the Authority to the European Parliament when requested and at least 15 days before making the statement referred to in paragraph 1c.
6. In addition to the information referred to in Articles 11 to 18 and Articles 20 and 33, the report shall also include any relevant information requested by the European Parliament on an ad hoc basis.
7. The Authority shall reply orally or in writing to questions addressed to it by the European Parliament or by the Council within five weeks of receipt of a question.
8. Upon request, the Chairperson shall hold confidential oral discussions behind closed doors with the Chair, Vice-Chairs and Coordinators of the competent committee of the European Parliament where such discussions are required for the exercise of the European Parliament's powers under Article 226 TFEU. All participants shall respect requirements of professional secrecy.
9. The Authority shall establish a register of documents and their status of accessibility.
10. The Authority shall provide to the European Parliament a meaningful summary of proceedings of any meetings of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors, the Financial Stability Board and the International Accounting Standards Board and any other relevant international body or institution concerning or affecting insurance, reinsurance and pension supervision.”
(3) in point 2 of Article 4, point (ii) is replaced by the following:
"(ii) with regard to Directives 2002/65/EC and (EU) 2015/849, the authorities competent for ensuring compliance with the requirements of those Directives by financial institutions▐;";
(4) Article 6 is amended as follows:
(a) point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(2) an Executive Board, which shall exercise the tasks set out in Article 47;";
(b) point (4) is deleted;
(4a) in Article 7 a new paragraph is added:
“The location of the seat of the Authority shall not affect the Authority’s execution of its tasks and powers, the organisation of its governance structure, the operation of its main organisation, or the main financing of its activities, while allowing, where applicable, for the sharing with Union agencies of administrative support services and facility management services which are not related to the core activities of the Authority. By ... [date of application of this amending Regulation] and every 12 months thereafter, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the compliance of the European Supervisory Authorities with that requirement.”
(5) Article 8 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(-i) point (a) is amended as follows:
“based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), to contribute to the establishment of high-quality common regulatory and supervisory standards and practices, in particular by ▌developing ▌ draft regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations, and other measures, including opinions in accordance with Article 16a;”
(i) the following point (aa) is inserted:
"(aa) to develop and maintain an up-to-date Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial institutions in the Union which sets out supervisory best practices and high quality methodologies and processes and takes into account, inter alia, changing business practices and business models and the size of financial institutions and markets;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) to contribute to the consistent application of legally binding Union acts, in particular by contributing to a common supervisory culture, ensuring consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), preventing regulatory arbitrage, fostering and monitoring supervisory independence, mediating and settling disagreements between competent authorities, ensuring effective and consistent supervision of financial institutions, ensuring a coherent functioning of colleges of supervisors and taking actions, inter alia, in emergency situations;"
(ii) points (e) and (f) are replaced by the following:
"(e) to organise and conduct reviews, with the support of national competent authorities, of competent authorities and, in that context, to issue ▐ recommendations addressed to those competent authorities and to identify best practices and in that context to issue guidelines with a view to strengthening consistency in supervisory outcomes;
(f) to monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence including where relevant, developments relating to trends in ▌innovative financial services and developments relating to trends in environmental, social and governance related factors;";
(iia) point (g) is replaced by the following:
“(g) to undertake market analyses to inform the discharge of the Authority’s functions;”
(iii) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) to foster, where relevant, the protection of policyholders, pension scheme members and beneficiaries, consumers and investors, in particular with regards to short-comings in a cross-border context and taking related risks into account";
(iiia) the following points (ia) and (ib) are inserted:
“(ia) to coordinate enforcement activities among competent authorities;”
“(ib) to contribute to the establishment of a common Union financial data strategy;”
(iiib) the following point (ka) is inserted:
“(ka) to publish on its website, and to update regularly, all regulatory technical standards, implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations and Q&As for each legislative act referred to in Article 1(2), including overviews that concern the state of play of ongoing work and the planned timing of the adoption of draft regulatory technical standards, draft implementing technical standards, guidelines recommendations and Q&As. These information shall be made available in all working languages of the European Union;”
(iv) point (l) is deleted;
(v) the following point (m) is inserted:
"(m) to issue advice in respect of the applications of internal models, to facilitate decision making and to provide assistance as foreseen in Article 21a;";
(b) a new paragraph 1a is inserted:
"1a. When carrying out its tasks in accordance with this Regulation, the authority shall:
(a) use the full powers available to it;
(b) with due regard to the objective to ensure the safety and soundness of financial institutions, take fully into account the different types, business models and sizes of financial institutions;
(c) take account of technological innovation, innovative and sustainable business models such as cooperatives and mutuals, and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors ";
(c) in paragraph 2, the following are amended
(i) point (ca) is inserted:
"(ca) issue recommendations as laid down in Articles 29a and 31a;";
(ia) point (da) is inserted:
“(da) issue warnings in accordance with Article 9(3);”
(ib) points (ga), (gb) and (gc) are inserted:
“(ga) issue opinions to the European Parliament, the Council, or the Commission as provided for in Article 16a;
(gb) issue answers to questions, as laid down in Article 16b;
(gc) issue time-limited no-action letters, as laid down in Article 9a;”
(ii) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) collect the necessary information concerning financial institutions as provided for in Article 35 and Article 35b";
(d) the following paragraph 3 is added:
"3. When carrying out the tasks referred to in this Article, the Authority shall strictly respect level 1 laws and level 2 measures and apply the principles of proportionality and better regulation, including impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses and open public consultations.
The open public consultations referred to in Articles 10, 15, 16 and 16a shall be conducted as widely as possible to ensure an inclusive approach towards all interested parties and shall allow reasonable time for stakeholders to respond. The Authority shall provide and publish feedback on how information and views gathered from the consultation were used in a draft regulatory technical standard, a draft implementing technical standard, guidelines, recommendations and opinions.
The Authority shall summarise the input received from stakeholders in a manner that allows for comparability of the results of public consultations on similar issues.";
(6) Article 9 is amended as follows:
(-aa) in paragraph 1, point (a) is replaced by the following:
“(a) collecting, analysing and reporting on consumer trends, such as the development of costs and charges of retail financial services and products in Member States;”
(a) in paragraph 1, the following point is (ab) are inserted:
▌
(ab) developing retail risk indicators for the timely identification of potential causes of consumer and investor harm;";
▐
(ba) in paragraph 1, points (da) and (db) are added:
“(da) contributing to a level playing field in the internal market where consumers and policy holders have fair access to comparable financial services, products and redress;
(db) coordinating mystery shopping activities of competent authorities.”
(c) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall monitor new and existing financial activities and may adopt guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16 with a view to promoting the safety and soundness of markets, and convergence and effectiveness of regulatory and supervisory practices.
2a. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, develop standards on conduct of business supervision addressed to national competent authorities, such as on minimum powers and tasks. ";
(d) paragraphs 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Authority shall establish, as an integral part of the Authority, a Committee on proportionality, to ensure that the differences in the nature, scale and complexity of risks, changing business models and practice, and the size of financial institutions and markets is reflected in the work of the Authority, and a Committee on consumer protection and financial innovation, which brings together all relevant competent authorities ▌and authorities responsible for consumer protection with a view to enhancing consumer protection and achieving a coordinated approach to the regulatory and supervisory treatment of new or innovative financial activities and providing advice for the Authority to present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Authority shall closely cooperate with the European Data Protection Board to avoid duplication, inconsistencies and legal uncertainty in the sphere of data protection. The Authority may also include national data protection authorities as part of the Committee.";
(ba) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The Authority may temporarily prohibit or restrict the marketing, distribution or sale of certain financial products, instruments or activities that have the potential to cause significant financial damage to customers or threaten the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union in the cases specified and under the conditions laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) or, if so required, in the case of an emergency situation in accordance with and under the conditions laid down in Article 18.
The Authority shall review the decision referred to in the first subparagraph at appropriate intervals, as soon as possible and at least every 6 months. The Authority may renew the prohibition or restriction twice, after which period it shall become permanent, unless the Authority considers otherwise.
A Member State may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. In that case, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
The Authority may also assess the need to prohibit or restrict certain types of financial activity or practice and, where there is such a need, inform the Commission and the competent authorities in order to facilitate the adoption of any such prohibition or restriction.”
(6a) the following Article 9a is inserted:
Article 9a
Time-limited no-action letters
1. In exceptional circumstances, and if the conditions set out in this paragraph are met, the Authority may, in coordination with all relevant competent authorities, issue time-limited no-action letters with regard to specific provisions in Union law that are based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). These no-action letters are a temporary commitment by the Authority and all relevant competent authorities not to enforce financial institutions’ non-compliance with specific provisions of Union law where the financial institutions cannot comply with such specific provisions because of at least one of the following reasons:
(a) compliance would place the financial institutions in breach of other legal and regulatory requirements of Union law;
(b) compliance without further level 2 measures or level 3 guidance is deemed not feasible by the Authority;
(c) compliance would seriously detriment or threat any of the following: market confidence, costumer or investor protection, the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or commodity markets, the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union.
The Authority shall not issue no-action letters if it deems that they would have a detrimental effect, which is disproportionate to its benefits, on the efficiency of financial markets or on costumer or investor protection.
2. The Authority shall specify in its no-action letter which specific provisions of Union law are subject to the non-enforcement, why it considers that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met and at which date the non-enforcement shall expire. The duration of such non-enforcement shall not exceed six months.
3. If the Authority decides to issue a no-action letter it shall immediately inform the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council thereof. Within two weeks after receiving this information, the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. At the initiative of the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council this period shall be extended by two weeks. In the case that either the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council request the Authority to reconsider its decision, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
4. If the Authority has issued a no-action letter in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 3, it shall immediately publish it on its website. The Authority shall review its decision to issue a no-action letter at appropriate intervals and may only renew it for one period of 6 months. If a decision to issue a no-action letter is not renewed after a six-month period or a one year, it shall automatically expire.
(6a) Article 10 is replaced by the following:
“Article 10Regulatory technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council delegate power to the Commission to adopt regulatory technical standards by means of delegated acts pursuant to Article 290 TFEU in order to ensure consistent harmonisation in the areas specifically set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft regulatory technical standards. The Authority shall submit its draft regulatory standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Regulatory technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be delimited by the legislative acts on which they are based. The Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council as soon as practicable and in full of the progress made in developing the draft regulatory technical standards.
Before submitting them to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the relevant Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft regulatory technical standards in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard whether to adopt the said standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). Any delayed adoption of the draft regulatory standard shall not prevent the European Parliament and the Council from exercising their scrutiny powers in accordance with Article 13.
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft regulatory technical standard or to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send the draft regulatory technical standard back to the Authority, explaining why it does not endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments, and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of that six-week period, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, or has submitted a draft regulatory technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant, or reject it.
The Commission may not change the content of a draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. Where the Authority has not submitted a draft regulatory technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft regulatory technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt a regulatory technical standard by means of a delegated act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft regulatory technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the relevant Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft regulatory technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and to the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard within the six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant. The Commission shall not change the content of the draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The regulatory technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘regulatory technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(6b) In Article 13(1), the second subparagraph is deleted.
(6c) Article 15 is replaced by the following:
“Article 15Implementing technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council confer implementing powers on the Commission to adopt implementing technical standards by means of implementing acts pursuant to Article 291 TFEU, and in order to ensure uniform conditions for implementing legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft implementing technical standards. Implementing technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be to determine the conditions of application of those acts. The Authority shall submit its draft implementing technical standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Before submitting draft implementing technical standards to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations and shall analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the relevant Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft implementing technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft implementing technical standard in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require. If the Commission does not, in whole or in part, oppose the proposed implementing technical standard within the assessment period, it shall be deemed to be endorsed.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of the implementing technical standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2).
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft implementing technical standard or intends to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send it back to the Authority explaining why it does not intend to endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fifth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, or has submitted a draft implementing technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant or reject it.
The Commission shall not change the content of a draft implementing technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. In cases where the Authority has not submitted a draft implementing technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft implementing technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt an implementing technical standard by means of an implementing act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft implementing technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft implementing technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the relevant Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft implementing technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard within that six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant.
The Commission shall not change the content of the draft implementing technical standards prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The implementing technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘implementing technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(7) Article 16 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 ▌is replaced by the following:
"1. The Authority shall, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, and to ensuring the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law, issue guidelines or recommendations addressed to competent authorities or financial institutions.
The Authority may also address guidelines and recommendations to the authorities of Member States that are not defined as competent authorities under this Regulation but that are empowered to ensure the application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Guidelines and recommendations shall be in accordance with the mandate of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and take into account the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall not issue guidelines and recommendations on issues covered by level 1 empowerments for regulatory technical standards or implementing technical standards.
1a. The Authority may, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, issue guidelines addressed to all competent authorities or financial institutions for the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), based on the comply or explain implementation procedure referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. Those guidelines shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). In line with the above, competent authorities and financial institutions may establish additional practices regarding the method of compliance with the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).”;
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, conduct open public consultations regarding the guidelines and recommendations and, where applicable questions and answers which it issues and shall analyse the related potential costs and benefits of issuing such guidelines and recommendations. Those consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the guidelines or recommendations. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, also request ▌advice from the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group and of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37. The Authority shall provide reasons when it does not conduct open public consultations or does not request advice from the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group and of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group."
(ba) the following paragraphs 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are inserted:
“2a. For the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may issue recommendations to one or more competent authorities or to one or more financial institutions.
2b. The Authority shall in its guidelines and recommendations state how it contributes to the establishment of consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, how it ensures the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and as well as how it respects the provisions in paragraphs 1, 1a and 2a.
2c. Guidelines and recommendations shall not merely refer to, or reproduce, elements of legislative acts. Before issuing a new guideline or recommendation, the Authority shall first review existing guidelines and recommendations, in order to avoid any duplication.
2d. Three months before issuing any of the guidelines and recommendations referred to in paragraph 1a and in paragraph 2a, the Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of the intended content of such guidelines and recommendations.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌is replaced by the following:
""4. In the report referred to in Article 43(5) the Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of the guidelines and recommendations that have been issued, explain how the Authority has justified issuing guidelines pursuant to paragraph 1a and recommendations pursuant to paragraph 2a, and summarise the feedback from public consultations on those guidelines pursuant to Article 8(2a). The report shall also state which competent authority has not complied with the guidelines and recommendations, and outline how the Authority intends to ensure that the competent authority concerned follow its guidelines and recommendations in the future.";
(d) the following paragraphs 5, 5a and 5b are added:
"5. Where two thirds of the members of the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group or Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a guideline pursuant to paragraph 1a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5a. Where at least half of the number of members of the of the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group or Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a recommendation pursuant to paragraph 2a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5b. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission may request an explanation justifying the issuance of the guidelines or recommendations concerned from the Authority. The Commission shall, on receipt of the explanation from the Authority, assess the scope of the guidelines or recommendations in view of the Authority's competence and send its assessment to the European Parliament and the Council. Where the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission considers that the Authority has exceeded its competence, and after having given the Authority the opportunity to state its views, the Commission may adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. Before such a decision is taken, and whenever so requested by the European Parliament, the Commission shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members. The European Parliament may request the Commission to adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. The decision of the Commission shall be made public.";
(7a) Articles 16a and 16b are inserted:
“Article 16aOpinions
1. On all issues related to its area of competence and upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority shall provide opinions to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Those opinions shall not be made public unless so specified in the request.
2. The request referred to in paragraph 1 may include a public consultation or a technical analysis.
3. With regard to prudential assessment of mergers and acquisitions falling within the scope of Directive 2009/138/EC and which, according to that Directive, require consultation between competent authorities from two or more Member States, the Authority may, on application of one of the competent authorities concerned, issue and publish an opinion on a prudential assessment, except in relation to the criteria in Article 59(1)(e) of Directive 2009/138/EC. The opinion shall be issued promptly and in any event before the end of the assessment period in accordance with Directive 2009/138/EC. Articles 35 and 35b shall apply to the areas in respect of which the Authority may issue an opinion.
4. The Authority may, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission provide technical advice to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission during the ordinary legislative procedure and for delegated acts concerning any legislative proposal of the Commission in the areas set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 16bQuestions and answers
1. For the interpretation, practical application or implementation of the provisions of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or associated delegated and implementing acts, guidelines and recommendations adopted under those legislative acts, any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions, may submit a question to the Authority in any official language of the Union.
Before submitting a question to the Authority, financial institutions shall assess whether to first address the question to their competent authority.
The Authority shall publish on its website all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, after collecting and before answering them.
This process shall not preclude any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions from seeking confidential technical advice or clarification from the Authority.
2. The Authority shall publish on its website non-binding answers to all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of the natural or legal person that submitted the question or would involve risks to the stability of the financial system.
3. Before publishing answers to admissible questions, the Authority may consult with stakeholders in accordance with Article 16(2).
4. Answers by the Authority shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), and with associated delegated and implementing acts and guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to those legislative acts. Competent authorities and financial institutions may establish other practices for compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
5. The Authority shall review answers to questions as soon as it is deemed necessary and appropriate or at the latest 24 months after their publication in order to, where necessary, revise, update or withdraw them.
6. Where appropriate, the Authority shall take published answers into consideration when developing or updating guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16.”
(8) Article 17 is replaced by the following:
"1. Where a competent authority has not applied the acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way which appears to be a breach of Union law, including the regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards established in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, in particular by failing to ensure that a financial institution satisfies the requirements laid down in those acts, the Authority shall act in accordance with the powers set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of this Article.
2. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the relevant Stakeholder Group, or on the basis of factual and well reasoned information by relevant organisations or institutions, or on its own initiative, and after having informed the competent authority concerned, the Authority shall respond to the request and, if appropriate, investigate the alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the competent authority shall, without delay, provide the Authority with all information which the Authority considers necessary for its investigation including as to how the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are applied in accordance with Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request for information directly to other competent authorities or relevant financial institutions, whenever requesting information from the competent authority concerned has proven or it is deemed insufficient to obtain the information necessary for the purpose of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law. Where it is addressed to financial institutions, the reasoned request shall explain why the information is necessary for the purposes of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
The addressee of such a request shall provide the Authority with clear, accurate and complete information without undue delay.
Where a request for information has been addressed to a financial institution, the Authority shall inform the relevant competent authorities of such a request. The competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information, where so requested by the Authority.
3. The Authority may initiate a process of arbitration with the competent authority concerned in order to discuss the action necessary to comply with Union law. The competent authority concerned shall sincerely cooperate in such an arbitration.
The Authority may, as soon as possible but not later than 4 months from initiating its investigation, address a recommendation to the competent authority concerned setting out the action necessary to comply with Union law.
The competent authority shall, within 10 working days of receipt of the recommendation, inform the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to ensure compliance with Union law.
4. Where the competent authority has not complied with Union law within 1 month from receipt of the Authority’s recommendation, the Commission may, after having been informed by the Authority, or on its own initiative, issue a formal opinion requiring the competent authority to take the action necessary to comply with Union law. The Commission’s formal opinion shall take into account the Authority’s recommendation.
The Commission shall issue such a formal opinion no later than 3 months after the adoption of the recommendation. The Commission may extend this period by 1 month.
The Authority and the competent authorities shall provide the Commission with all necessary information.
5. The competent authority shall, within 10 working days of receipt of the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4, inform the Commission and the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to comply with that formal opinion.
6. Without prejudice to the powers and obligations of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4 within the period of time specified therein, and where it is necessary to remedy in a timely manner such non-compliance in order to maintain or restore neutral conditions of competition in the market or ensure the orderly functioning and integrity of the financial system, the Authority may, where the relevant requirements of the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are directly applicable to financial institutions, adopt an individual decision addressed to a financial institution requiring the necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law including the cessation of any practice.
The decision of the Authority shall be in conformity with the formal opinion issued by the Commission pursuant to paragraph 4.
7. Decisions adopted under paragraph 6 shall prevail over any previous decision adopted by the competent authorities on the same matter.
When taking action in relation to issues which are subject to a formal opinion pursuant to paragraph 4 or a decision pursuant to paragraph 6, competent authorities shall comply with the formal opinion or the decision, as the case may be.
8. In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall set out which competent authorities and financial institutions have not complied with the formal opinions or decisions referred to in paragraphs 4 and 6 of this Article.";
(8a) In Article 18, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Where the Council has adopted a decision pursuant to paragraph 2, and in exceptional circumstances where coordinated action by competent authorities is necessary to respond to adverse developments which may seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union or customer and consumer protection, the Authority may adopt individual decisions requiring competent authorities to take the necessary action in accordance with the legislation referred to in Article 1(2) to address any such developments by ensuring that financial institutions and competent authorities satisfy the requirements laid down in that legislation.”
(9) Article 19 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. In cases specified in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) as well as in cases of significant disagreement between two or more national competent authorities concerning the application of those acts and without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 17, the Authority may assist the competent authorities in reaching an agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 to 4 in either of the following circumstances:
(a) at the request of one or more of the competent authorities concerned where a competent authority disagrees with the procedure or content of an action, proposed action, or inactivity of another competent authority;
(b) on its own initiative where on the basis of objective reasons, including on the basis of information from market participants or consumer organisations, disagreement can be determined between competent authorities.
In cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken by competent authorities, a disagreement shall be presumed in the absence of a joint decision being taken by those authorities within the time limits set out in those acts.";
(b) the following paragraphs 1a and 1b are inserted:
"1a. The competent authorities concerned shall in the following cases notify the Authority without delay that an agreement has not been reached:
(a) where a time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided for in the Union acts, referred to in Article 1(2), and the earlier of the following occurs :
(i) the time limit has expired;
(ii) one or more of the competent authorities concerned conclude that a disagreement exists, on the basis of objective reasons;
(b) where no time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2), and the earlier of the following occurs:
i. one and more of the competent authorities concerned conclude that a disagreement exists on the basis of objective reasons; or
ii. two months have elapsed from the date of receipt by a competent authority of a request from another competent authority to take certain action in order to comply with Union law and the requested authority has not yet adopted a decision that satisfies the request.";
▐
1b. The Chairperson shall assess whether the Authority should act in accordance with paragraph 1. Where the intervention is at the Authority’s own initiative, the Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of its decision regarding the intervention.
Pending the Authority's decision in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 47(3a), in cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken, all competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their individual decisions. Where the Authority decides to act, all competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their decisions until the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 is concluded.";
(d) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"Where the competent authorities concerned fail to reach an agreement within the conciliation phase referred to in paragraph 2, the Authority may take a decision requiring those authorities to take specific action or to refrain from certain action in order to settle the matter, in order to ensure compliance with Union law. The decision of the Authority shall be binding on the competent authorities concerned. The Authority’s decision may require competent authorities to revoke or amend a decision that they have adopted or to make use of the powers which they have under the relevant Union law.";
(e) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of the conclusion of the procedures under paragraphs 2 and 3 together with, where applicable its decision taken under paragraph 3.";
(f) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. Without prejudice to the powers of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the decision of the Authority, and thereby fails to ensure that a financial institution complies with requirements directly applicable to it by virtue of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may adopt an individual decision addressed to a financial institution requiring the necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law, including the cessation of any practice.";
(10) Article 21 is replaced by the following:
“Article 21Colleges of supervisors
1. The Authority shall promote and monitor, within the scope of its powers, the efficient, effective and consistent functioning of the colleges of supervisors where established by legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and foster consistency and coherence of the application of Union law among the colleges of supervisors. With the objective of converging supervisory best practices, the Authority shall promote joint supervisory plans and joint examinations, and staff from the Authority shall have full participation rights in the colleges of supervisors and, as such, shall be able to participate in and, if duly justified, lead the activities of the colleges of supervisors, including on-site examinations, carried out jointly by two or more competent authorities.
2. The Authority shall lead in ensuring a consistent and coherent functioning of colleges of supervisors for cross-border institutions across the Union, taking account of the systemic risk posed by financial institutions referred to in Article 23, and shall, where appropriate, convene a meeting of a college.
For the purpose of this paragraph and of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall be considered a ‘competent authority’ or a ‘supervisory authority’ within the meaning of the relevant legislation.
The Authority may:
(a) collect and share all relevant information in cooperation with the competent authorities in order to facilitate the work of the college and establish and manage a central system to make such information accessible to the competent authorities in the college;
(b) initiate and coordinate Union-wide stress tests in accordance with Article 32 to assess the resilience of financial institutions, in particular the systemic risk posed by financial institutions as referred to in Article 23, to adverse market developments, and evaluate the potential for systemic risk to increase in situations of stress, ensuring that a consistent methodology is applied at the national level to such tests and, where appropriate, address a recommendation to the competent authority to correct issues identified in the stress test, including to conduct specific assessments. It may request competent authorities to carry out on-site inspections, and may participate in such on-site inspections, in order to ensure comparability and reliability of methods, practices and results of Union-wide assessments;
(c) promote effective and efficient supervisory activities, including evaluating the risks to which financial institutions are or might be exposed as determined under the supervisory review process or in stress situations;
(d) oversee, in accordance with the tasks and powers specified in this Regulation, the tasks carried out by the competent authorities; and
(e) request further deliberations of a college in any cases where it considers that the decision would result in an incorrect application of Union law or would not contribute to the objective of convergence of supervisory practices. It may also require the group supervisor to schedule a meeting of the college or add a point to the agenda of a meeting.
3. The Authority may develop draft regulatory and implementing technical standards as specified in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 10 to 15 to ensure uniform conditions of application with respect to the provisions regarding the operational functioning of colleges of supervisors and issue guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to Article 16 to promote convergence in supervisory functioning and best practices adopted by the colleges of supervisors.
4. The Authority shall have a legally binding mediation role to resolve disputes between competent authorities in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 19. The Authority may take supervisory decisions directly applicable to the institution concerned in accordance with Article 19.”
(11) the following Article 21a is inserted:
"Article 21aInternal models
1. Without prejudice to Article 112 of Directive 2009/138/EC , the Authority shall ▌upon request from one or more supervisory authorities:
(a) Issue advice to the supervisory authorities concerned on the application to use or to change an internal model. To this end, EIOPA may request all the information necessary from the supervisory authorities concerned; and
(b) In case of disagreement related to the approval of internal models assist the supervisory concerned authorities in reaching an agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 19.
2. In the circumstances set out under Article 231(6a) of Directive 2009/138/EC, undertakings may request EIOPA to assist the competent authorities in reaching an agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 19.
(12) Article 22 is replaced by the following:
“Article 22
General provisions on systemic risks
1. The Authority shall duly consider systemic risk as defined by Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. It shall address any risk of disruption in financial services that:
(a) is caused by an impairment of all or parts of the financial system; and
(b) has the potential to have serious negative consequences for internal market and the real economy.
The Authority shall consider, where appropriate, the monitoring and assessment of systemic risk as developed by the ESRB and the Authority and respond to warnings and recommendations by the ESRB in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010.
2. The Authority shall, in collaboration with the ESRB, and in accordance with Article 23, develop a common approach to the identification and measurement of systemic importance, including quantitative and qualitative indicators as appropriate.
These indicators shall be a critical element in the determination of appropriate supervisory actions. The Authority shall monitor the degree of convergence in the determinations made, with a view to promoting a common approach.
3. Without prejudice to the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority shall draw up, as necessary, additional guidelines and recommendations for financial institutions, to take account of the systemic risk posed by them.
The Authority shall ensure that the systemic risk posed by financial institutions is taken into account when developing draft regulatory and implementing technical standards in the areas laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
4. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, Member States or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority may conduct an inquiry into a particular type of financial institution or type of product or type of conduct in order to assess potential threats to the stability of the financial system or to the protection of policy holders, pension scheme members and beneficiaries and make appropriate recommendations for action to the competent authorities concerned.
For those purposes, the Authority may use the powers ▐ conferred on it under this Regulation, including Article 35 and 35b.
5. The Joint Committee shall ensure overall and cross-sectoral coordination of the activities carried out in accordance with this Article.”
(12a) In Article 23, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall, in consultation with the ESRB, develop criteria for the identification and measurement of systemic risk and an adequate stress-testing regime which includes an evaluation of the potential for systemic risk that may be posed by or to financial institutions to increase in situations of stress, including potential environmental-related systemic risk. The financial institutions that may pose a systemic risk shall be subject to strengthened supervision, and where necessary, the recovery and resolution procedures referred to in Article 25.
The Authority shall develop an adequate stress testing regime to help identify those financial institutions that may pose a systemic risk. These institutions shall be subject to strengthened supervision, and where necessary, the recovery and resolution procedures referred to in Article 25.”
(12b) Article 27 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, point (g) is deleted.
(b) in paragraph 1, the third subparagraph is deleted.
(13) Article 29 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following point (aa) is inserted:
"(aa) issuing the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan in accordance with Article 29a;";
(ii) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) promoting an effective bilateral and multilateral exchange of information between competent authorities, pertaining to all relevant issues, including cyber security and cyber-attacks ▌, with full respect for the applicable confidentiality and data protection provisions provided for in the relevant Union legislation;";
(iii) point (e) is replaced by the following:
"(e) establishing sectoral and cross-sectoral training programmes, including with respect to technological innovation, different form of cooperatives and mutuals, facilitating personnel exchanges and encouraging competent authorities to intensify the use of secondment schemes and other tools;"
(iiia) the following point (ea) is inserted:
"(ea) putting in place a monitoring system to assess material environmental, social and governance-related risks, taking into account the COP 21 Paris agreement;";
(b) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority may, as appropriate, develop new practical instruments and convergence tools to promote common supervisory approaches and practices.
For the purpose of establishing a common supervisory culture, the Authority shall develop and maintain an up-to-date Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial institutions in the Union, taking duly into account nature, scale and complexity of risks, ▌business practices, ▌business models and size of financial institutions. The Union supervisory handbook shall set out ▌best practices and shall specify high quality methodologies and processes.
The Authority shall take duly into account the supervisory handbook when carrying out its tasks, including assessment of potential breaches of Union law pursuant to Article 17, settling disputes pursuant to Article 19 and laying down and assessing Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives in accordance with Article 29a and carrying out reviews of competent authorities pursuant to Article 30.
The Authority shall, where appropriate, conduct open public consultations regarding the opinions referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 and tools and instruments referred to in paragraph 2 and analyse the related potential costs and benefits. Such consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the opinions or tools and instruments. The Authority shall, where appropriate, also request advice from the relevant Stakeholder Group.”;
(14) The following Article 29a is inserted:
"Article 29a
Union Strategic Supervisory Plan
1. The Authority shall, at least every three years and by 31 March, following a debate in the Board of Supervisors and taking into account contributions received from competent authorities, existing work by the EU Institutions and analysis, warnings and recommendations published by the ESRB, issue a recommendation addressed to competent authorities, laying down Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives and priorities ("Union Strategic Supervisory Plan") without prejudice to the specific national objectives and priorities of competent authorities. Competent authorities shall identify in their contributions the supervisory activities that in their view shall be prioritised by the Authority. The Authority shall transmit the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission and shall make it public on its website.
The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall identify specific priorities for supervisory activities in order to promote consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices and the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and to address relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities, anticipating developments including new business models, identified in accordance with Article 32. The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall not prevent national competent authorities from applying national best practices, acting on additional national priorities and developments, and shall consider national specificities.
2. Each competent authority shall ▌ specifically stipulate how their annual work programme is aligned with the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan.
▌
4. Each competent authority shall as part of its annual report dedicate a chapter on the implementation of the annual work programme.
The chapter shall include at least the following information:
(a) a description of the supervisory activities and examinations of financial institutions, market practices and behaviours and of financial markets, and on the administrative measures and sanctions imposed against financial institutions responsible for breaches of Union and national law;
(b) a description of activities that were carried out and which were not foreseen in the annual work programme;
(c) an account of the activities provided for in the annual work programme that were not carried out and of the objectives of that programme that were not met, as well as of the reasons for the failure to carry out those activities and to reach those objectives.
5. The Authority shall assess the information laid down in the dedicated chapter referred to in paragraph 4. Where there are material risks of not attaining the priorities set out in the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan the Authority shall issue a recommendation to each competent authority concerned on how the relevant shortcomings in its activities can be remedied.
Based on the reports and its own assessment of risks, the Authority shall identify the activities of the competent authority that are critical to fulfilling the Strategic Supervisory Plan, and shall as appropriate conduct reviews under Article 30 of those activities.
6. The Authority shall make best practices identified during the assessment of the annual work programmes publicly available.";
(15) Article 30 is amended as follows:
(a) the title of the Article is replaced by the following:
"Reviews of competent authorities";
(b) paragraph 1 is replaced be the following:
"1. On its own initiative or upon request by the European Parliament or the Council, the Authority shall periodically conduct reviews of some or all of the activities of competent authorities, to further strengthen consistency and effectiveness in supervisory outcomes. To that end, the Authority shall develop methods to allow for objective assessment and comparison between the competent authorities reviewed. When identifying competent authorities to be reviewed and conducting reviews, existing information and evaluations already made with regard to the competent authority concerned, including relevant information provided to the Authority in accordance with Article 35, and any relevant information from stakeholders, in particular possible deficiencies of and misconduct by a competent authority, shall be taken into account.";
(c) the following paragraphs 1a is inserted:
"1a. For the purposes of this Article, the Authority shall establish an ad hoc review committee chaired by the Authority, and composed of staff from the Authority, accompanied and supported, on a voluntary and rotating basis, by up to five representatives of different competent authorities excluding the competent authority under review ▌.";
(d) paragraph 2 is amended as follows:
(i) the introductory sentence is replaced by the following:
"The review shall include an assessment of, but shall not be limited to:";
(ii) point (a) is replaced by the following:
"(a) the adequacy of resources, the degree of independence and governance arrangements of the competent authority, with particular regard to the effective application of the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) and the capacity to respond to market developments;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the effectiveness and the degree of convergence reached in the application of Union law and in supervisory practice, including regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards, guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to Articles 10 to 16, and the extent to which the supervisory practice achieves the objectives set out in Union law, including the objectives of common supervisory culture under Article 29 and of the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan under Article 29a;”
(iib) point (c) is replaced by the following:
“(c) the application of best practices developed by some competent authorities;“
(e) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. The Authority shall produce a report setting out the results of the review. That report shall explain and indicate the follow-up measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary, as a result of the review. Those follow-up measures may be adopted in the form of guidelines and recommendations pursuant to Article 16, and opinions pursuant to Article29(1)(a), addressed to the relevant competent authorities.
▌The Authority shall issue a follow-up report regarding compliance with requested follow-up measures. ▌
When developing draft regulatory technical standards or draft implementing technical standards in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, or guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16, the Authority shall take into account the outcome of the review, along with any other information acquired in carrying out its tasks, in order to ensure convergence of the highest quality supervisory practices.";
(f) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall submit an opinion to the Commission where, having regard to the outcome of the review or to any other information acquired by the Authority in carrying out its tasks, it considers that further harmonisation of Union rules applicable to financial institutions or competent authorities would be necessary from the Union perspective or where it considers that a competent authority has not applied the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way that appears to breach Union law.";
(g) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. The Authority shall publish the reports referred to in paragraph 3 including any follow-up report, unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system. The competent authority that is subject to the review shall be invited to comment before the publication of any report. Before publication, the Authority shall, where appropriate, take those comments into account. The Authority may publish those comments as an annex to the report unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system or the competent authority objects to the publication. The report produced by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3 and the guidelines, recommendations and opinions adopted by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3a shall be published simultaneously.";
(16) Article 31 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall fulfil a general coordination role between competent authorities, in particular in situations where adverse developments could potentially jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the financial system or in situations of significant cross-border business potentially affecting the protection of policyholders, pension scheme members and beneficiaries in the Union.”
(b) in paragraph 2, point (e) is replaced by the following:
“(e) taking all appropriate measures, including setting up and leading collaboration platforms under paragraph 3b in case of developments which may jeopardise the functioning of the financial markets or, in situations of significant cross-border business potentially affecting the protection of policyholders, with a view to facilitating and coordinating the actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(c) in paragraph 2, point (ea) is inserted:
“(ea) taking appropriate measures to facilitate the uptake of technological innovation with a view to the coordination of actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(c) new paragraphs 3, 3a, 3b and 3c are inserted:
"3. The Authority shall take appropriate measures to facilitate entry into the market of operators or products relying on technological innovation. In order to contribute to the establishment of a common European approach towards technological innovation the Authority shall promote supervisory convergence, with the support, where relevant, of the committee on financial innovation and, in particular through the exchange of information and best practices. Where appropriate, the Authority may adopt guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16.
3a. The supervisory authority of the home Member State shall notify both the Authority and the supervisory authorities of the host Member States where it intends to carry out an authorisation related to an insurance or reinsurance undertaking which is under its supervision in accordance with the acts referred to in Article 1(2) whose business plan entails that part of its activities will be done on the basis of the freedom to provide services or the freedom of establishment.
The supervisory authority of the home Member State shall also notify without delay the Authority and the supervisory authorities of the host Member States where it identifies deteriorating financing conditions or other emerging risks posed by an insurance or reinsurance undertaking in the ongoing business, in particular when the business is conducted, for a significant part of its activity, on the basis of the freedom to provide services or the freedom of establishment that may have a significant cross-border effect.
These notifications to the Authority and to the supervisory authorities of the host Member States shall be sufficiently detailed to allow for a proper assessment.
3b. In the cases mentioned in subparagraphs 1 and 2 of paragraph 3a, the Authority may, upon a request of one or more of the relevant competent authorities or on its own initiative, set up and coordinate a collaborative platform as referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1 in order to foster the exchange of information and enhance collaboration among the relevant competent authorities and, where relevant, to reach a common view on the cases referred to in subparagraph 2 of paragraph 3a.
Where the Authority ascertains, on the basis of the information referred to in point (f) of paragraph 1, that a financial institution carries out its activity mainly or entirely in another Member State, it shall inform the concerned authorities and may set up, on its own initiative, coordinating with the relevant competent authorities a collaborative platform in order to facilitate the exchange of information between those authorities.
Without prejudice to Article 35, the relevant competent authorities shall provide, at the request of the Authority, all the necessary information to allow a proper functioning of the collaborative platform.
3c. In case the concerned competent authorities fail to reach a common view in the collaborative platform, the Authority may issue a recommendation to the competent authority concerned, including a deadline until which the competent authority should implement the recommended changes. Where the competent authority does not follow the recommendation by the Authority it shall state its reasons. In case the Authority deems that these reasons are not appropriate, it shall make public its recommendation together with the above mentioned reasons.";
(17) a new Article 31a is inserted:
"Article 31aCoordination on delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfer
1. The Authority shall on an ongoing basis coordinate supervisory actions of competent authorities with a view to promoting supervisory convergence in the fields of delegation and outsourcing of activities by financial institutions as well as in relation to risk transfers conducted by them into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3▐. Within their respective competences, the competent authorities bear ultimate responsibility for authorisation, supervision and enforcement decisions with regard to delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfers.
2. The competent authorities shall notify the Authority where they intend to carry out an authorisation or registration of a financial institution which would be under supervision of the competent authority concerned in accordance with the acts referred to in Article 1(2) and where the business plan of the financial institution entails the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of the key functions or the risk transfer of a material part of its activities into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union. The notifications by competent authorities to the Authority shall be sufficiently detailed ▌.
▌
3. Where the Union legislation referred to in Article 1(2) applies and where it does not impose any specific requirement to the notification of outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer, a financial institution shall notify the competent authority of the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of its key functions, and the risk transfer of a material part of its activities, to another entity or its own branch established in a third country. The competent authority concerned shall inform the Authority of such notifications on a semi-annual basis.
Without prejudice to Article 35, at the request of the Authority, the competent authority shall provide information in relation to the outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements by financial institutions.
The Authority shall monitor whether the competent authorities concerned verify that outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements referred to in the first subparagraph are concluded in accordance with Union law, comply with guidelines, recommendations or opinions from the Authority and do not prevent effective supervision by the competent authorities [and enforcement] in a third country.
3a. If a competent authority’s verification arrangements prevent effective supervision or enforcement and entail risks for regulatory arbitrage across Member States, the Authority may issue recommendations to the competent authority concerned on how to improve its verification arrangements including a deadline until which the competent authority should implement the recommended changes. If the concerned competent authority does not follow the recommendations, it shall state the reasons and the Authority shall make its recommendations public together with those reasons.
3b. The Commission shall within [one year from the entry into force of this amending regulation] draw up a report, which takes stock of the different approaches in sectoral legislation with regards to assessing, the materiality of the activity to be outsourced or delegated and which investigates the possibility for a more harmonised approach in this regard via the potential specification of common criteria and methodology. The Commission shall submit this report to the European Parliament and the Council.
In doing so, the Commission shall take into account:
(a) the continuity of activity,
(b) the effective management capacity,
(c) effective capacity to audit delegated and outsourced activities as well as risk transfers."
▌
(18) Article 32 is replaced by the following:
"Article 32Assessment of market developments
, including stress tests
1. The Authority shall monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence and, where necessary, inform the two other ESAs, the ESRB and the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission about the relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities. The Authority shall include in its assessments an ▌analysis of the markets in which financial institutions operate and an assessment of the impact of potential market developments on such institutions.
2. The Authority shall ▌ initiate and coordinate Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial institutions to adverse market developments in a realistic manner. To that end it shall develop the following, for application by the competent authorities:
(a) common methodologies for assessing the effect of economic scenarios on an institution's financial position;
(aa) common methodologies for identifying financial institutions to be included in Union-wide assessments;
(b) common approaches to communication on the outcomes of those assessments of the resilience of financial institutions;
(c) common methodologies for assessing the effect of particular products or distribution processes on an institution’s financial position and on policyholders, pension scheme members, beneficiaries and customer information;and
(ca) common methodologies for assessing the effect of environmental risks on the financial stability of institutions.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Authority shall cooperate with the ESRB, which shall avoid any potential conflict of interest with regard to the conduct of monetary policies.
2a. At least annually, the Authority shall consider whether it is appropriate to carry out Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 and shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasoning. Where such Union-wide assessments are carried out, the Authority ▌shall disclose the results for each participating financial institution, unless it considers such disclosure to be inappropriate having regard to the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or the functioning of the internal market.
Professional secrecy obligations of competent authorities shall not prevent the competent authorities from publishing the outcome of Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 or from transmitting the outcome of such assessments to the Authority for the purpose of the publication by the Authority of the results of Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial institutions.
3. Without prejudice to the tasks of the ESRB set out in Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010, the Authority shall, once a year, and more frequently if necessary, provide assessments to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the ESRB of trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities in its area of competence, in combination with the indicators referred to in Article 22(2).
The Authority shall include a classification of the main risks and vulnerabilities in these assessments and, where necessary, recommend preventative or remedial actions.
4. The Authority shall ensure an adequate coverage of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities by closely cooperating with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority) through the Joint Committee.";
(20) Article 33 is replaced by the following
"Article 33
International relations including equivalence
1. Without prejudice to the respective competences of the Member States and the Union institutions, the Authority may develop contacts and enter into administrative arrangements with regulatory and supervisory authorities, international organisations and the administrations of third countries. Those arrangements shall not create legal obligations in respect of the Union and its Member States nor shall they prevent Member States and their competent authorities from concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements with those third countries.
Where a third country, in accordance with a delegated act in force adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council, is on the list of jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union, the Authority shall not conclude cooperation arrangements with the regulatory and supervisory authorities of that third country.
2. The Authority shall assist the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions pertaining to regulatory and supervisory regimes in third countries following a specific request for advice from the Commission, on their own initiative, or where required to do so by the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
2a. The Authority shall, on an ongoing basis, monitor regulatory and supervisory developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which equivalence decisions have been adopted by the Commission pursuant to the acts referred to in Article 1(2) in order to verify whether the criteria, on the basis of which those decisions have been taken and any conditions set out therein, are still fulfilled. The Authority shall submit a confidential report on its findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the two other ESAs every three years or more frequently where appropriate or where requested by the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission. The report shall focus in particular on implications for financial stability, market integrity, investor protection or the functioning of the internal market.
Without prejudice to specific requirements set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities▌ of third countries whose regulatory and supervisory regimes have been recognised as equivalent. That cooperation shall be pursued on the basis of administrative arrangements concluded with the relevant authorities of those third countries. When negotiating such administrative arrangements, the Authority shall include provisions on the following:
(a) the mechanisms which allow the Authority to obtain relevant information, including information on the regulatory regime, the supervisory approach, relevant market developments and any changes that may affect the decision on equivalence;
(b) to the extent necessary for the follow-up of such decisions on equivalence, the procedures concerning the coordination of supervisory activities including on-site inspections conducted under the responsibility of the Authority, where appropriate, accompanied and supported by up to five representatives of different competent authorities on a voluntary and rotating basis, and by the competent authority of the third country.
The Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and the other ESAs where a third-country competent authority refuses to conclude such administrative arrangements or when it refuses to effectively cooperate. The Commission shall take this information into account when reviewing the relevant equivalence decisions.
2b. Where the Authority identifies developments in relation to the regulation, supervision or the enforcement practices in the third countries referred to in paragraph 2a that may impact the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or investor protection or the functioning of the internal market, it shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on a confidential basis and without delay.
▌
2c. The competent authorities shall inform the Authority in advance of their intentions to conclude any administrative arrangements with third-country supervisory authorities in any of the areas governed by the acts referred to in Article 1(2), including in relation to branches of third country entities. They shall provide to the Authority a draft of such planned arrangements as soon as possible.
The Authority may cooperate with the competent authorities to develop model administrative arrangements, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the Union and to strengthening international supervisory coordination. The competent authorities shall follow such model arrangements as closely as possible.
Where the Authority in cooperation with the competent authorities develops such model administrative arrangements, the competent authorities shall not conclude administrative arrangements with third country authorities before the completion of the model arrangement.
In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall include information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, international organisations or administrations in third countries, the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions and the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with paragraph 2a.
▐
3a. The Authority shall seek full membership of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, the International Organisation of Pensions Supervisors and of the Financial Stability Board, and shall seek observer status on the International Accounting Standards Monitoring Board.
Any position to be taken by the Authority in international fora shall first be discussed and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
3b. The Authority shall, where appropriate, monitor regulatory, supervisory and where applicable, resolution developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which international agreements have been concluded.
Without prejudice to the specific requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities and, where applicable, also with resolution authorities, of the third countries referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph.";
(21) ▐ Article 34 is deleted.:
(22) Article 35 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
"1. At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall provide the Authority with all the necessary information to carry out the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation, provided that they have legal access to the relevant information.
The information provided shall be accurate, complete and submitted within the time limit prescribed by the Authority.
2. The Authority may also request information to be provided at recurring intervals and in specified formats or by way of comparable templates approved by the Authority. Such requests shall, always where possible, be made using existing common reporting formats and shall respect the principle of proportionality provided for in national and Union law, including in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
3. At the request of a competent authority, the Authority shall provide any information it holds that is necessary to enable the competent authority to carry out its tasks▐.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. Where information requested in accordance with paragraph 1 is not available or is not made available by the competent authorities within the time limit set by the Authority, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request to any of the following:
(a) other authorities with supervisory functions;
(b) to the ministry responsible for finance in the Member State concerned where it has at its disposal prudential information;
(c) to the national central bank of the Member State concerned;
(d) to the statistical office of the Member State concerned.
At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information.";
(c) paragraphs 6 and 7 are deleted:
(23) the following Articles 35a to 35d are inserted:
"Article 35aExercise of the powers referred to in Article 35b
The powers conferred on the Authority, any of its officials or another person authorised by the Authority in accordance with Article 35 shall not be used to require the disclosure of information or documents that are subject to legal privilege.
Articles 35a and 35b shall apply without prejudice to national law.
Article 35bRequest for information to financial institutions
1. Where information requested under paragraph 1 or paragraph 5 of Article 35 is not available or is not made available within the time limit set by the Authority, it may, without creating any data duplicates, require the relevant financial institutions to provide the necessary information to enable the Authority to carry out its duties under this Regulation.
4. Within a reasonable time limit set by the Authority, the financial institutions or their legal representatives ▌ shall supply the information requested. ▌
5. The authority shall send, without delay, a copy of the ▌request ▌ to the competent authority of the Member State where the relevant entity listed in paragraph 1 concerned by the request for information is domiciled or established.
6. The Authority may use confidential information received in accordance with this Article only for the purposes of carrying out the tasks assigned to it by this Regulation.";
Article 35cProcedural rules for imposing fines
1. Where, in carrying out its duties under this Regulation, the Authority finds that there are serious indications of the possible existence of facts liable to constitute an infringement as referred to in Article 35d(1), the Authority shall request the Commission to investigate the matter. ▌
▌
Article 35dFines
and periodic penalty payments
-1. Before taking any decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment, the Commission shall give the institution or entity subject to the request for information the opportunity to be heard.
The Commission shall base its decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment only on the findings on which the institutions or entities concerned have had the opportunity to comment.
1. The Commission shall adopt a decision to impose a fine where it finds that a financial institution referred to in Article 35b has, intentionally or negligently, failed to provide information required or has provided incomplete, incorrect or misleading information ▌ pursuant to Article 35b(1).
2. The basic ▌fine referred to in paragraph 1 shall amount to at least EUR [X; lower than EUR 50 000] and shall not exceed EUR [Y; lower than EUR 200 000] and shall be dissuasive, effective and proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
The Authority, together with EBA and ESMA, shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying the methodology for setting fines in accordance with this paragraph.
▌
5. ▌The total fine shall not exceed [X%; lower than 20%] of the annual turnover of the entity concerned in the preceding business year unless the entity has directly or indirectly benefitted financially from the infringement. In that case, the total fine shall be at least equal to that financial benefit.
5a. The Commission may impose a periodic penalty payment until the infringement is corrected. The periodic penalty payment shall be proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
5b. The rights of defence of the institution or entity shall be fully respected during the procedure. The institution or entity shall be entitled to have access to the files of the Authority and of the Commission, subject to the legitimate interest of other persons in protecting their business secrets. The right of access to file shall not extend to confidential information or internal preparatory documents of the Authority or the Commission.
5c. Enforcement of the fine or periodic penalty payment may only be suspended by a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The institutions or entities subject to a fine or periodic penalty payment may institute proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union against a decision of the Commission to impose a fine or periodic penalty payment. The Court may, among others, annul, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty payment imposed by the Commission.
5d. The Commission shall disclose to the public every fine and periodic penalty payment that has been imposed, unless such disclosure to the public would seriously jeopardise financial markets or cause disproportionate damage to the parties involved.
5e. The amounts of the fines and periodic penalty payments shall be allocated to the general budget of the Union. “
▌(24) Article 36 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 3 is deleted.
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to the Authority, the Authority shall discuss that warning or recommendation at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors or, where appropriate, earlier, in order to assess the implications of, and possible follow-up to, such a warning or recommendation for the fulfilment of its tasks.
It shall decide, by the relevant decision-making procedure, whether any actions are to be taken in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation for addressing the issues identified in the warnings and recommendations and on the content of that action.
If the Authority does not act on a warning or recommendation, it shall explain to the ESRB its reasons for not doing so. The ESRB shall inform the European Parliament thereof in accordance with Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. The ESRB shall also inform the Council and the Commission thereof.”
(c) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to a competent authority, the Authority may, where relevant, use the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation to ensure a timely follow-up.
Where the addressee intends not to follow the recommendation of the ESRB, it shall inform and discuss with the Board of Supervisors its reasons for not acting."
(d) paragraph 6 is deleted.
(25) Article 37 is ▐ replaced by the following:
"Article 37Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group and Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group
1. To help facilitate consultation with stakeholders in areas relevant to the tasks of the Authority, an Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group and an Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group shall be established (hereinafter collectively referred to as the ‘Stakeholder Groups’). The Stakeholder Groups shall be consulted on actions taken in accordance with Articles 10 to 15 concerning regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards, and, to the extent that these do not concern individual financial institutions, Article 16 concerning guidelines and recommendations, Article 16a concerning opinions and Article 16b concerning questions and answers. If actions must be taken urgently and consultation becomes impossible, the Stakeholder Groups shall be informed as soon as possible.
The Stakeholder Groups shall meet at least four times a year. They may, together, discuss areas of mutual interest and shall inform each other of the other issues being discussed.
Members of one stakeholder group may be also members of the other stakeholder group.
2. The Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group shall be composed of 30 members, 13 members representing in balanced proportions insurance and reinsurance undertakings and insurance intermediaries operating in the Union, three of whom shall represent cooperative and mutual insurers or reinsurers,13 members representing their employees’ representatives, as well as consumers, users of insurance and reinsurance services, representatives of SMEs and representatives of relevant professional associations and four of its members shall be independent top-ranking academics. ▐
3. The Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group shall be composed of 30 members, 13 members representing in balanced proportions institutions for occupational retirement provision operating in the Union, 13 members representing representatives of employees, representatives of beneficiaries, representatives of SMEs and representatives of relevant professional associations and four of its members shall be independent top-ranking academics. ▐
4. The members of the Stakeholder Groups shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, following an open and transparent selection procedure. In making its decision, the Board of Supervisors shall, to the extent possible, ensure an appropriate reflection of diversity of the insurance, reinsurance and occupational pensions sectors, geographical and gender balance and representation of stakeholders across the Union. Members of the Stakeholder Groups shall be selected according to their qualifications, skills, relevant knowledge and proven expertise.
4a. Members of the relevant Stakeholder Group shall elect the Chair of that Group from among its Members. The position of Chair shall be held for a period of two years.
The European Parliament may invite the Chair of any Stakeholder Group to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.
5. The Authority shall provide all necessary information subject to professional secrecy as set out in Article 70 and ensure adequate secretarial support for the Stakeholder Groups. Adequate compensation shall be provided to members of the Stakeholder Groups representing non-profit organisations, excluding industry representatives. This compensation shall take into account the members' preparatory and follow-up work and shall be at least equivalent to the reimbursement rates of officials pursuant to Title V, Chapter 1, Section 2 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (Staff Regulations). The Stakeholder Groups may establish working groups on technical issues. Members of the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group and of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group shall serve for a period of four years, following which a new selection procedure shall take place.
The members of the Stakeholder Groups may serve two successive terms.
6. The Stakeholder Groups may submit opinions and advice to the Authority on any issue related to the tasks of the Authority with particular focus on the tasks set out in Articles 10 to 16b, and Articles 29, 30 , 32 and 35.
Where members of the Stakeholder Groups cannot agree on advice, one third of its members or the members representing one group of stakeholders shall be permitted to issue a separate advice.
The Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group, and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group, the Banking Stakeholder Group, the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group may issue joint opinions and advice on issues related to the work of the European Supervisory Authorities under Article 56 of this Regulation on joint positions and common acts.
7. The Stakeholder Groups shall adopt their rules of procedure on the basis of the agreement of a two-thirds majority of their respective members.
8. The Authority shall make public the ▐ advice of the Stakeholder Groups, the separate advice of its Members, and the results of their consultations as well as how advice and results of consultations have been taken into account.";
(25a) Article 38(1) is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall ensure that no decision adopted pursuant to Article 18, 19 or 20 impinges in any way on the fiscal responsibilities of Member States.”
(26) Article 39 is replaced by the following:
"Article 39Decision-making procedures
1. The Authority shall act in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 6 when adopting decisions pursuant to Articles 17, 18 and 19.
2. The Authority shall inform any addressee of a decision of its intention to adopt the decision, in the official language of the addressee, setting a time limit within which the addressee may express its views on the subject-matter of the decision, taking full account of the urgency, complexity and potential consequences of the matter. The addressee may express its views in its official language. The provision laid down in the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis to recommendations as referred to in Article 17(3).
3. The decisions of the Authority shall state the reasons on which they are based.
4. The addressees of decisions of the Authority shall be informed of the legal remedies available under this Regulation.
5. Where the Authority has taken a decision pursuant to Article 18(3) or Article 18(4), it shall review that decision at appropriate intervals.
6. The adoption of the decisions which the Authority takes pursuant to Articles ▌ 18 or 19 shall be made public. The adoption of decisions that the Authority takes pursuant to Article 17 may be made public. The publication shall disclose the identity of the competent authority or financial institution concerned and the main content of the decision, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of those financial institutions or with the protection of their business secrets or could seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system of the Union.";
(27) Article 40 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following points (aa) and (ab) are inserted:
"(aa) the full time members of the Executive Board referred to Article 45(1), who shall be non-voting;";
(ab) the head of the Member State’s administration in charge of negotiating and adopting the acts referred to in Article 1(2) for the purpose of acting within the scope of Articles 10 to 15";
(ia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the head of the national public authority competent for the supervision of financial institutions in each Member State for the purpose of acting within the scope of any competence except those laid down in Articles 10 to 15, who shall meet in person at least twice a year;”
(ib) point (d) is replaced by the following:
“(d) one representative of the ESRB, who shall be non-voting and who shall refrain from taking positions induced by the conduct of monetary policies;
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Each ▌authority shall be responsible for nominating a high-level alternate from its authority, who may replace the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in paragraphs 1(ab) and 1(b), where that person is prevented from attending.”
(ab) the following paragraph is inserted:
“4a. For the purpose of actions to be taken within the scope of Articles 10 to 15, one representative of the Commission shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Supervisors, and one representative of the European Parliament shall be observer and one representative of each Member State’s administrations may be observer on the Board of Supervisors.”
(ac) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The Board of Supervisors may invite observers.”
▌(c) the following paragraph 5a is added;
"5a. Where the national public authority referred to in paragraph 1(b) is not responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection rules, the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in that point may decide to invite a representative from the Member State’s consumer protection authority, who shall be non-voting. In the case where the responsibility for consumer protection is shared by several authorities in a Member State, those authorities shall agree on a common representative.";
(28) Article 41 is replaced by the following:
"Article 41Internal committees
"The Board of Supervisors may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it. The Board of Supervisors may provide for the delegation of certain clearly defined tasks and decisions to internal committees, to the Executive Board or to the Chairperson.";
(29) ▌Article 42▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 42Independence
of the Board of Supervisors
When carrying out the tasks conferred upon them by this Regulation, the Chairperson and the ▌members of the Board of Supervisors shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Board of Supervisors in the performance of their tasks.
When the degree of independence referred to in point (a) of Article 30(2) has been assessed to be insufficient in accordance with that Article, the Board of Supervisors may decide either to temporarily suspend the voting rights of the individual member or to temporarily suspend his or her membership of the Authority until the deficiency has been remedied.";
(30) Article 43 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. The Board of Supervisors shall give guidance to the work of the Authority and be the main decision making body for strategic decisions and major policy decisions.
Save as otherwise provided in this Regulation the Board of Supervisors shall adopt ▌recommendations, guidelines, opinions and decisions of the Authority, and issue the advice referred to in Chapter II▌.";
(b) paragraphs 2 and 3 are deleted;
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌ is replaced by the following:
"The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, before 30 September of each year, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the work programme of the Authority for the coming year, and shall transmit it for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
The Authority shall set out its priorities with regard to reviews identifying, where appropriate, competent authorities and activities subject to reviews in accordance with Article 30. If duly justified, the Authority may identify additional competent authorities to review;
The work programme shall be adopted without prejudice to the annual budgetary procedure and shall be made public.";
(d) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in Article 47(9f) and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.";
(e) paragraph 8 is deleted;
(30a) the following Article 43a is inserted:
"Article 43a
Transparency of decisions adopted by the Board of Supervisors
Notwithstanding Article 70, within at most six weeks from the date of a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the Authority shall, at the minimum, provide the European Parliament with a comprehensive and meaningful record of the proceedings of that meeting of the Board of Supervisors that enables a full understanding of the discussions, including an annotated list of decisions. "
(31) Article 44 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Decisions of the Board of Supervisors shall be taken by a simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
With regard to the decisions on the development and adoption of acts, drafts and instruments specified in Articles 10 to 16 and measures and decisions adopted under the third subparagraph of Article 9(5), Article 9a and Chapter VI and by way of derogation from the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the Board of Supervisors shall take decisions on the basis of a qualified majority of its members, as defined in Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union and in Article 3 of the Protocol (No 36) on transitional provisions. The full time members of the Executive Board and the Chairperson shall not vote on these decisions.
1a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 32, 31a and 35b to 35h pursuant to Article 47(3) by a simple majority of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 32, 31a and 35b to 35h, it may amend these decisions. The Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt these amended decisions by a majority of three quarters of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the amended decisions referred to in the second subparagraph as soon as possible and within a period of four months at the latest, the Executive Board shall take the decision.";
(aa) paragraph 1a is inserted:
1a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35h pursuant to Article 47(3) by a simple majority of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35h, it may amend these decisions. The Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt these amended decisions by a majority of three quarters of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the amended decisions referred to in the second subparagraph as soon as possible and within a period of four months at the latest, the Executive Board shall take the decision.";
(b) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure. The rules of procedure shall set out in detail the arrangements governing voting.”
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The non-voting members and the observers shall not participate in any discussions within the Board of Supervisors relating to individual financial institutions, unless otherwise provided for in Article 75(3) or in the acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
The first subparagraph shall not apply to the Chairperson and the members that are also members of the Executive Board. ▌";
(32) in Chapter III, the title of Section 2 is replaced by the following:
"Section 2
Executive Board";
(33) Article 45 is replaced by the following:
"Article 45Composition
"1. The Executive Board shall be composed of the Chairperson and three full time members, which shall be nationals of a Member State. The Chairperson shall assign clearly defined policy and managerial tasks to each of the full time members, in particular responsibilities for budgetary matters and for matters relating to the work programme of the Authority, and for convergence matters. One of the full time members shall act as a Vice Chairperson and carry out the tasks of the Chairperson in his or her absence or reasonable impediment, in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The full time members shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge and practical experience of financial institutions within their different business models, and markets particularly in insurance and occupational pensions, including consumer interests and experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation. The full time members shall have extensive management experience. At least one of the full time members should during the one year prior to being appointed not have been employed by a national competent authority. The selection shall be based on an open call for candidates, to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, following which the Commission shall draw up a shortlist of qualified candidates, while consulting the Board of Supervisors.
The Commission shall submit the shortlist to the European Parliament for approval. Following the approval of that shortlist, the Council shall adopt a decision to appoint the full time members of the Executive Board ▌. The composition of the Executive Board shall be balanced and proportionate and shall reflect the Union as a whole.
3. Where a full time member of the Executive Board no longer fulfil the conditions set out in Article 46 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on their own initiative or on a proposal from the Commission which has been approved by the European Parliament, adopt a decision to remove him or her from office.
4. The term of office of the full time members shall be 5 years and shall be renewable once. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 5-year term of office of the full time member, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way in which they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
Taking into account the evaluation, the Commission shall submit the list of the full time members to be renewed to the Council. Based on this list and taking into account the evaluation, the Council may extend the term of office of the full time members.";
(34) the following Article 45a is inserted:
"Article 45aDecision-making
1. Decisions by the Executive Board shall be adopted by simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. If requested by the Chairperson or at least by three members of the Executive Board, the decisions shall be referred to the Board of Supervisors.
2. The representative of the Commission shall participate in meetings of the Executive Board without the right to vote save in respect of matters referred to in Article 63.
3. The Executive Board shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure.
4. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be convened by the Chairperson at his own initiative or at the request of one of its members, and shall be chaired by the Chairperson.
The Executive Board shall meet prior to every meeting of the Board of Supervisors and as often as the Executive Board deems necessary. It shall report regularly to the Board of Supervisors and meet at least eleven times a year.
5. ▌The non-voting participants shall not attend any discussions within the Executive Board relating to individual financial institutions.
5a. The Board of Supervisors shall be entitled to send specific requests for information to the Executive Board.";
(35) the following Article 45b is inserted:
"Article 45bInternal committees
The Executive Board may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it.";
(36) Article 46 is replaced by the following:
"Article 46Independence
of the Executive Board
"The members of the Executive Board shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌or from any other public or private body.
Members of the Executive Board shall not hold any office at national, Union, or international level.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Executive Board in the performance of their tasks.";
(37) Article 47 is replaced by the following:
"Article 47Tasks
1. The Executive Board shall ensure that the Authority carries out its mission and performs the tasks assigned to it in accordance with this Regulation. It shall take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The Executive Board shall propose, for adoption by the Board of Supervisors, an annual and multi-annual work programme.
3. The Executive Board shall exercise its budgetary powers in accordance with Articles 63 and 64.
For the purposes of Articles 17, 19, 22(4) and 30, ▌ the Executive Board shall be competent to act and to take decisions. For the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35d, the Executive Board shall be competent to prepare decisions which shall be subject to the decision-making procedure laid down in paragraph 1a of Article 44. The Executive Board shall keep the Board of Supervisors informed of all decisions it prepares and takes.
3a. The Executive Board shall examine and give an opinion ▌on all matters to be decided by the Board of Supervisors.
4. The Executive Board shall adopt the Authority’s staff policy plan and, pursuant to Article 68(2), the necessary implementing measures of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities ('the Staff Regulations’).
5. The Executive Board shall adopt the special provisions on right of access to the documents of the Authority, in accordance with Article 72.
6. The Executive Board shall propose an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in Article paragraph 9(f) to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
7. The Executive Board shall appoint and remove the members of the Board of Appeal in accordance with Article 58(3) and (5), taking duly into account a proposal by the Board of Supervisors.
8 The members of the Executive Board shall make public all meetings held and any hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations.
9. The Member in charge shall have the following specific tasks:
(a) to implement the annual work programme of the Authority under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors and under the control of the Executive Board;
(b) to take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation;
(c) to prepare a multi-annual work programme, as referred to in Article 47(2);
(d) to prepare a work programme by 30 June of each year for the following year, as referred to in Article 47(2) ;
(e) to draw up a preliminary draft budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 63 and to implement the budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 64;
(f) to prepare an annual draft report to include a section on the regulatory and supervisory activities of the Authority and a section on financial and administrative matters;
(g) to exercise in respect to the Authority’s staff the powers laid down in Article 68 and to manage staff matters.";
(38) Article 48 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
"The Chairperson shall be be a national of a Member State and shall responsible for preparing the work of and chairing the meetings of the Board of Supervisors and the Executive Board.";
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. For the purpose of selection of the Chairperson, the Commission shall establish a Selection Committee composed of six high level independent individuals. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall each appoint two members of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee shall appoint its Chair from among its members. The Selection Committee shall decide by a simple majority on the publication of the vacancy notice, the selection criteria and the specific job profile, the composition of the pool of applicants as well as on the method by which the pool of applicants is screened in order to draw up a gender-balanced shortlist of at least two candidates. In the event of a tie, the Chair of the Selection Committee shall have a casting vote.
The Chairperson shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge of financial institutions and markets, particularly in insurance and occupational pensions , following an open call for candidates to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Chairperson shall have a significant number of years of recognised experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation and also of senior management experience, be able to demonstrate leadership skills and high standards of efficiency, ability and integrity, and have proven knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union.
The Selection Committee shall submit the shortlist of candidates for the position of the Chairperson to the European Parliament and the Council. The European Parliament may invite the selected candidates to in camera or public hearings, submit written questions to the candidates, object to the designation of a candidate and recommend its preferred candidate. The European Parliament and the Council shall adopt a joint decision to appoint the Chairperson from the shortlist of candidates.
2a. Where the Chairperson no longer fulfil the conditions required for the performance of his duties including those referred to in Article 49 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on a proposal from the Commission or on their own initiative, adopt a joint decision to remove him or her from office. When drafting its proposal, the European Commission shall consult with national competent authorities.";
(ba) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Chairperson’s term of office shall be eight years and shall not be renewable.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌ is replaced by the following:
"4. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 8-year term of office of the Chairperson, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
For the purpose of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a temporary alternate Chair from among its members.";
(d) paragraph 5 is deleted;
(38a) Article 49 is replaced by the following:
“Article 49
Independence of the Chairperson
Without prejudice to the role of the Board of Supervisors in relation to the tasks of the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▐ or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the Chairperson in the performance of his tasks.
In accordance with the Staff Regulations referred to in Article 68, the Chairperson shall, after leaving service, continue to be bound by the duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance of certain appointments or benefits.”
(39) the following Article 49a is inserted:
"Article 49aExpenses
The Chairperson shall make public all meetings held with external stakeholders within a period of two weeks following the meeting and any hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations.";
(40) Articles 50, 51, 52 and 53 are deleted;
(41) Article 54 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely to ensure cross-sectoral consistency, while taking full account of sectoral specificities, with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), in particular, where required by Union law, regarding:
– financial conglomerates and cross-border consolidation,
– accounting and auditing,
– micro-prudential analyses of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities for financial stability,
– retail investment products,
– cybersecurity,
– information and best practice exchange with the ESRB and ▌the ESAs,
– retail financial services and consumer and investor protection issues,
– the application of the principle of proportionality."
▌
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. The Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely with the European Banking Authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority on matters relating to the interaction between the tasks of the Authority and of the European Securities and Markets Authority and the specific tasks referred to in point (l) of Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 conferred on the European Banking Authority.";
(42) ▌Article 55 ▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 55
Composition
1. The Joint Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the ESA ▌s.
2. One member of the Executive Board, Ta representative of the Commission and the second chair of ESRB and, where relevant, the Chairperson of any Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee shall be invited to the meetings of the Joint Committee, as well as where relevant of any Sub-Committees referred to in Article 57, as observers.
3. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be appointed on an annual rotational basis from among the Chairpersons of the ESAs. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be the second Vice-Chair of the ESRB.
4. The Joint Committee shall adopt and publish its own rules of procedure. The Joint Committee may invite observers. The Joint Committee shall reach joint positions by consensus. The rules may specify further participants in the meetings of the Joint Committee.
The Joint Committee shall meet at least once every three months.
4a. The Chairperson of the Authority shall regularly consult and inform the Board of Supervisors on any position taken in the meetings of the Joint Committee and its sub-committees.";
(42a) Article 56 is replaced by the following:
“Article 56
Joint positions and common acts
Within the scope of its tasks in Chapter II, and in particular with respect to the implementation of Directive 2002/87/EC, where relevant, the Authority shall seek to reach joint positions with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and with the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), as appropriate.
Where required by Union law, acts pursuant to Articles 10 to ▐ 19 of this Regulation in relation to the application of Directive 2002/87/EC and of any other Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) that also fall within the area of competence of the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) or the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority) shall be adopted, in parallel, by the Authority, the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority), and the European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Market Authority), as appropriate.
Where the decision of the Authority deviates from the joint position referred to in paragraph 1, or where no decision could be taken, the Authority shall without delay inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasons.”
(42b) Article 57 is replaced by the following:
“Article 57
Sub-Committees
1. The Joint Committee may establish sub-committees for the purposes of preparing draft joint positions and common acts to the Joint Committee.
2. The Sub-Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the ESAs, and one high-level representative from the current staff of the relevant competent authority from each Member State.
3. The Sub-Committee shall elect a Chairperson from among representatives of the relevant competent authorities, who shall also be an observer in the Joint Committee.
3a. For the purposes of Article 56, a Sub-Committee on financial conglomerates to the Joint Committee shall be established.
4. The Joint Committee shall make public on its website all established Sub-Committees including their mandates and a list of their members with their respective functions in the Sub-Committee.”
(43) Article 58 is amended as follows:
(-a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Board of Appeal of the European Supervisory Authorities is hereby established.”
(-aa) in paragraph 2, subparagraph 1 is replaced by the following:
2. The Board of Appeal shall be composed of six members and six alternates, who shall be individuals of a high repute with a proven record of relevant knowledge of Union law and of having international professional experience, to a sufficiently high level in the fields of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities markets or other financial services, excluding current staff of the competent authorities or other national or Union institutions involved in the activities of the Authority and members of the Insurance and Reinsurance takeholder Group and members of the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group. Members shall be nationals of a Member State and shall have a thorough knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union. The Board of Appeal shall have sufficient legal expertise to provide expert legal advice on the legality and proportionality of the Authority’s exercise of its powers.”
(a) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. Two members of the Board of Appeal and two alternates shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority from a short-list proposed by the Commission, following a public call for expressions of interest published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and after consultation of the Board of Supervisors.
After having received the shortlist, the European Parliament may invite candidates for members and alternates to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members before they are appointed.
The European Parliament may invite the members of the Board of Appeal to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. A member of the Board of Appeal appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority shall not be removed during his term of office, unless he has been found guilty of serious misconduct and the Executive Board takes a decision to that effect after consulting the Board of Supervisors.";
(ba) paragraph 8 is replaced by the following:
“8. The ESAs shall ensure adequate operational and permanent secretarial support for the Board of Appeal through the Joint Committee.”
(44) in Article 59, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. The members of the Board of Appeal shall be independent in making their decisions. They shall not be bound by any instructions. They shall not perform any other duties in relation to the Authority, its Executive Board or its Board of Supervisors.
2. Members of the Board of Appeal and staff of the Authority providing operational and secretariat support shall not take part in any appeal proceedings in which they have any personal interest, if they have previously been involved as representatives of one of the parties to the proceedings, or if they have participated in the decision under appeal.";
(45) in Article 60 paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. Any natural or legal person, including competent authorities, may appeal against a decision of the Authority referred to in Articles 16, 16a, 17, 18, 19, and 35 including regarding its proportionality and any other decision taken by the Authority in accordance with the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) which is addressed to that person, or against a decision which, although in the form of a decision addressed to another person, is of direct and individual concern to that person.
2. The appeal, together with a statement of grounds, shall be filed in writing at the Authority within three months of the date of notification of the decision to the person concerned, or, in the absence of a notification, of the day on which the Authority published its decision.
The Board of Appeal shall decide upon the appeal within 3 months after the appeal has been lodged."
(46) Article 62 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. The revenues of the Authority shall consist, without prejudice to other types of revenue, of any combination of the following:
(a) a balancing contribution from the Union, entered in the General Budget of the Union (Commission section) which shall be at least 35% of the estimated revenues of the Authority;
(aa) obligatory contributions of up to 65% of the estimated revenues of the Authority from the national public authorities competent for the supervision of financial institutions.
(b) depending on the evolution of the scope of institution-specific supervision, annual contributions from financial institutions, based on the annual estimated expenditure relating to the activities required by this Regulation and by the Union Acts referred to in Article 1(2) for each category of participants within the remit of the Authority;
(c) any fees paid to the Authority in the cases specified in the relevant instruments of Union law.
(d) contributions from Member States or observers;
(e) charges for publications, training and for any other services requested by competent authorities.
1a. The revenues received by the Authority shall not compromise its independence or objectivity.";
(aa) in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph is added:
“Estimates shall be based on the objectives and the expected results of the annual work programme referred to in Article 47(2) and shall take into account the financial resources necessary to achieve those objectives and expected results.”
(b) the following paragraphs paragraph is added:
▐
5. Voluntary contributions from Members States and observers as referred to in point (d) of paragraph 1 shall not be accepted if such acceptance could cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the Authority.";
▐
(48) Article 63 is replaced by the following:
"Article 63Establishment of the budget
1. Each year, the Member in charge shall draw up a provisional draft single programming document of the Authority for the three following financial years setting out the estimated revenue and expenditure, as well as information on staff, from its annual and multi-annual programming and shall forward it to the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors, together with the establishment plan.
1a. The Chairperson shall present the draft single programming document to the European Parliament and the Council, after which the Board of Supervisors shall, on the basis of the draft which has been approved by the Executive Board, adopt the draft single programming document for the three following financial years.
1b. The ▌single programming document shall be transmitted by the Executive Board to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council and the European Court of Auditors by 31 January. Without prejudice to the adoption of the annual budget, the European Parliament shall approve the single programming document.
2. Taking account of the ▌single programming document, the Commission shall enter in the draft budget of the Union the estimates it deems necessary in respect of the establishment plan and the amount of the balancing contribution to be charged to the general budget of the Union in accordance with Articles 313 and 314 of the Treaty.
3. The budgetary authority shall adopt the establishment plan for the Authority. The budgetary authority shall authorise the appropriations for the balancing contribution to the Authority and approve the limit for the total expenditures of the Authority.
4. The budget of the Authority shall be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. It shall become final after the final adoption of the general budget of the Union. Where necessary, it shall be adjusted accordingly.
5. The Executive Board shall, without delay, notify the budgetary authority of its intention to implement any project which may have significant financial implications for the funding of its budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings.
5a. The budgetary authority shall authorise any project which may have significant financial or long term implications for the funding of the Authority’s budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings, including break clauses.";
(49) Article 64 is replaced by the following:
Article 64Implementation and control of the budget
"1. The Member in charge shall act as authorising officer and shall implement the Authority’s annual budget.
2. The Authority’s accounting officer, who shall be independent, shall send the provisional accounts to the Commission’s accounting officer and to the Court of Auditors by 1 March of the following year. Article 70 shall not preclude the Authority from providing to the European Court of Auditors any information requested by the Court that is within the Court’s competence.
3. The Authority's accounting officer shall send by 1 March of the following year the required accounting information for consolidation purposes to the accounting officer of the Commission, in the manner and format laid down by that accounting officer.
4. The Authority’s accounting officer shall send the report on budgetary and financial management to the members of the Board of Supervisors, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors by 31 March of the following year.
5. After taking account of the observations of the Court of Auditors on the provisional accounts of the Authority in accordance with Article 148 of the Financial Regulation, the Authority's accounting officer, acting on its own responsibility, shall draw up the Authority's final accounts. The Member in charge shall send them to the Board of Supervisors, which shall deliver an opinion on these accounts.
6. The Authority's accounting officer shall send the final accounts, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Supervisors, by 1 July of the following year, to the accounting officer of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors.
The Authority's accounting officer shall also send by 1 July, a reporting package to the Commission's accounting officer, in a standardised format as laid down by the Commission's accounting officer for consolidation purposes.
7. The final accounts shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by 15 November of the following year.
8. The Member in charge shall send the Court of Auditors a reply to the latter’s observations by 30 September. He shall also send a copy of that reply to the Executive Board and the Commission.
9. The Member in charge shall submit to the European Parliament, at the latter’s request and as provided for in Article 165(3) of the Financial Regulation, any information necessary for the smooth application of the discharge procedure for the financial year in question.
10. The European Parliament, following a recommendation from the Council acting by qualified majority, shall, before 15 May of the year N + 2, grant a discharge to the Authority for the implementation of the budget for the financial year N.
10a. The Authority shall provide a reasoned opinion on the position of the European Parliament and on any other observations made by the European Parliament provided in the discharge procedure.";
(49a) the following Article 64a is inserted:
“Article 64aInternal Audit of the Authority
“The Authority shall establish an Internal Audit Committee which shall provide an opinion to the European Parliament and the Council on the discharge of that part of the budget which is not financed by the Union budget.”
(50) Article 65 is replaced by the following:
"Article 65Financial rules
The financial rules applicable to the Authority shall be adopted by the Executive Board after consulting the Commission. Those rules may not depart from Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013* for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 unless the specific operational needs for the functioning of the Authority so require and only with the prior agreement of the Commission.
*Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 7.12.2013, p. 42).";
(51) in Article 66, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. For the purposes of combating fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council* shall apply to the Authority without any restriction.
*Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).";
(52) Article 68 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. The Staff Regulations, the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and the rules adopted jointly by the Union institutions for the purpose of applying them shall apply to the staff of the Authority, including the full time members of the Executive Board and its Chairperson.
2. The Executive Board, in agreement with the Commission, shall adopt the necessary implementing measures, in accordance with the arrangements provided for in Article 110 of the Staff Regulations.";
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Executive Board shall adopt provisions to allow national experts from Member States to be seconded to the Authority.";
(53) Article 70 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Members of the Board of Supervisors and all members of the staff of the Authority including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis shall be subject to the requirements of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 339 TFEU and the relevant provisions in Union legislation, even after their duties have ceased.
Article 16 of the Staff Regulations shall apply to all members of staff of the Authority, including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis.";
(b) in paragraph 2, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
"The obligation under paragraph 1 and the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall not prevent the Authority and the competent authorities from using the information for the enforcement of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), and in particular for legal procedures for the adoption of decisions.";
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. The Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors shall ensure that individuals who provide any service, directly or indirectly, permanently or occasionally, relating to the tasks of the Authority, including officials and other persons authorised by the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors or appointed by the competent authorities for that purpose, are subject to the requirements of professional secrecy equivalent to those in the previous paragraphs.
The same requirements for professional secrecy shall also apply to observers who attend the meetings of the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors who take part in the activities of the Authority.";
(d) ▌paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:
"3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not prevent the Authority from exchanging information with competent authorities in accordance with this Regulation and other Union legislation ▌.
Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to any person who reports or discloses information on a threat or harm to the public interest in the context of their work-based relationship.
The information referred to in paragraph 2 shall be subject to the conditions of professional secrecy referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. The Authority shall lay down in its internal rules of procedure the practical arrangements for implementing the confidentiality rules referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. The Authority shall apply Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444
4a. The Authority shall have in place dedicated reporting channels for receiving and handling information provided by a reporting person on actual or potential breaches of Union acts or abuse of law or cases of maladministration.";
(54) ▌Article 71 is replaced by the following:
"This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the obligations of Member States relating to their processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 or the obligations of the Authority relating to its processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) No 2018/XXX (Data Protection Regulation for EU institutions and Bodies) when fulfilling its responsibilities.";
(55) in Article 72, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall adopt practical measures for applying Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.";
(56) in Article 73, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall decide on the internal language arrangements for the Authority.";
(57) in Article 74, the first paragraph is replaced by the following:
"The necessary arrangements concerning the accommodation to be provided for the Authority in the Member State where its seat is located and the facilities to be made available by that Member State, as well as the specific rules applicable in that Member State to the staff of the Authority and members of their families shall be laid down in a Headquarters Agreement between the Authority and that Member State concluded after obtaining the approval of the Executive Board.";
(57a) in Article 75, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
“2. The Authority shall cooperate with the countries referred to in paragraph 1, applying legislation which has been recognised as equivalent in the areas of competence of the Authority referred to in Article 1(2), as provided for in international agreements concluded by the Union in accordance with Article 218 TFEU.
3. Under the relevant provisions of the agreements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, arrangements shall be made specifying, in particular, the nature, scope and procedural aspects of the involvement of the countries referred to in paragraph 1, in particular in relation to countries that are members of the European Economic Area, in the work of the Authority, including provisions relating to financial contributions and to staff. They may provide for representation, as an observer, in the governance of the Authority, but shall ensure that those countries do not attend any discussions relating to individual financial institutions, except where there is a direct interest.”
(58) the following Article 75a is inserted:
"Article 75aExercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
▌
3. The delegation of power referred to in the second subparagraph of 35d(2) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016.
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 35d(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of three months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by three months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.";
(59) Article 76 is replaced by the following:
"Article 76Relationship with CEIOPS
The Authority shall be considered the legal successor of CEIOPS. By the date of establishment of the Authority, all assets and liabilities and all pending operations of CEIOPS shall be automatically transferred to the Authority. CEIOPS shall establish a statement showing its closing asset and liability situation as of the date of that transfer. That statement shall be audited and approved by CEIOPS and by the Commission."
(60) new Article 77a is inserted:
Article 77aTransitional provisions
The tasks and position of the Executive Director appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.
The tasks and position of the Chairperson appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall continue until its expiry.
The tasks and position of the members of the Management Board appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.".
(60a) Article 79 is deleted.
(60b) Article 80 is deleted.
(60c) Article 81 is replaced by the following:
“Article 81
Review
1. By ... [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission shall publish a general report on the experience acquired as a result of the operation of the Authority and the procedures laid down in this Regulation. That report shall evaluate, inter alia:
(a) the effectiveness and convergence in supervisory practices reached by competent authorities:
(i) the ▐ independence of the competent authorities and convergence in standards equivalent to corporate governance;
(ii) the impartiality, objectivity and autonomy of the Authority;
(b) the functioning of the colleges of supervisors;
(c) the progress achieved towards convergence in the fields of crisis prevention, management and resolution, including Union funding mechanisms;
(d) the role of the Authority as regards systemic risk;
(e) the application of the safeguard clause established in Article 38;
(f) the application of the binding mediation role established in Article 19;
(fa) the functioning of the decision-making of the Joint Committee.
2. The report referred to in paragraph 1 shall also examine whether:
(a) it is appropriate to continue separate supervision of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities and financial markets;
(b) it is appropriate to undertake prudential supervision and supervise the conduct of business separately or by the same supervisor;
(c) it is appropriate to simplify and reinforce the architecture of the ESFS in order to increase the coherence between the macro and the micro levels and between the ESAs;
(d) the evolution of the ESFS is consistent with that of the global evolution;
(e) there is sufficient diversity and excellence within the ESFS;
(f) accountability and transparency in relation to publication requirements are adequate;
(g) the resources of the Authority are adequate to carry out its responsibilities;
(h) it is appropriate for the seat of the Authority to be maintained or to move the ESAs to a single seat to enhance better coordination between them.
2a. As part of the general report referred to in paragraph 1 the Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the issuance of no-action letters pursuant to Article 9a of this Regulation.
2b. The Commission shall submit the assessments referred to in paragraph 2a, together with legislative proposals, if appropriate, to the European Parliament and the Council by [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation].
3. Concerning the issue of direct supervision of institutions or infrastructures of pan-European reach and taking account of market developments, the stability of the internal market and the cohesion of the Union as a whole, the Commission shall draw up an annual report on the appropriateness of entrusting the Authority with further supervisory responsibilities in this area.
4. The report and any accompanying proposals, as appropriate, shall be forwarded to the European Parliament and to the Council.”
Article 3
Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010
Regulation (EU) 1095/2010 is amended as follows:
(1) Article 1 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall act within the powers conferred by this Regulation and within the scope of Directive 97/9/EC, Directive 98/26/EC, Directive 2001/34/EC, Directive 2002/47/EC, Directive 2003/71/EC, Directive 2004/39/EC, Directive 2004/109/EC, Directive 2009/65/EC, Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council * Regulation 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council**, Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council***, and Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009, Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council****, Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council*****, Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council****** and Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, and, to the extent that these acts apply to firms providing investment services or to collective investment undertakings marketing their units or shares and the competent authorities that supervise them, within the relevant parts of, Directive 2002/87/EC, Directive 2002/65/EC, including all directives, regulations, and decisions based on those acts, and of any further legally binding Union act which confers tasks on the Authority.
* Directive 2011/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on Alternative Investment Fund Managers and amending Directives 2003/41/EC and 2009/65/EC and Regulations (EC) No 1060/2009 and (EU) No 1095/2010 (OJ L 174, 1.7.2011, p. 1).
**Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the application of international accounting standards (OJ L 243, 11.9.2002, p. 1).
***Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19).
****Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on improving securities settlement in the European Union and on central securities depositories and amending Directives 98/26/EC and 2014/65/EU and Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 1–72).
*****Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 173, 12.6.2014, p. 84–148).
******Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU (OJ L 173, 12.6.2014, p. 349–496).";
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Authority shall also act in the field of activities of market participants relation to issues not directly covered in the acts referred to in paragraph 2, including matters of corporate governance, auditing and financial reporting, taking into account sustainable business models and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors, provided that such actions by the Authority are necessary to ensure the effective and consistent application of those acts. The Authority shall also take appropriate action in the context of take-over bids, clearing and settlement and derivative issues.”
(b) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. This Regulation shall apply without prejudice to other Union acts conferring the functions of authorisation or supervision and corresponding powers upon the Authority.";
(ba) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The objective of the Authority shall be to protect the public interest by contributing to the short, medium and long-term stability and effectiveness of the financial system, for the Union economy, its citizens and businesses. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, contribute to:
(a) improving the functioning of the internal market, including, in particular, a sound, effective and consistent level of regulation and supervision;
(b) ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency and orderly functioning of financial markets;
(c) strengthening international supervisory coordination;
(d) preventing regulatory arbitrage and promoting equal conditions of competition;
(e) ensuring the taking of investment and other risks are appropriately regulated and supervised; ▐
(f) enhancing customer and investor protection;
(fa) enhancing supervisory convergence across the internal market, including promoting a risk-based approach to conduct of business supervision.
For those purposes, the Authority shall contribute to ensuring the consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in paragraph 2, foster supervisory convergence, and provide opinions in accordance with Article 16a to the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission ▌.
In the exercise of the tasks conferred upon it by this Regulation, the Authority shall pay particular attention to any systemic risk posed by financial institutions, the failure of which may impair the operation of the financial system or the real economy.
When carrying out its tasks, the Authority shall act independently, objectively and in a non-discriminatory and transparent manner, in the interests of the Union as a whole and shall respect the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall apply the principles of accountability and integrity and should ensure that all stakeholders are treated fairly in this regard.
The content and form of the Authority's actions and measures shall not exceed what is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Regulation or the acts referred to in paragraph 2 and shall be proportionate to the nature, scale and complexity of the risks inherent in the business of an institution or markets that is affected by the Authority's action.”
(2) ▌Article 2 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall form part of a European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). The main objective of the ESFS shall be to ensure that the rules applicable to the financial sector are adequately implemented to preserve financial stability and to ensure confidence in the financial system as a whole and effective and sufficient protection for the customers of financial services.”
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. In accordance with the principle of sincere cooperation pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union, the parties to the ESFS shall cooperate with trust and full mutual respect, in particular in ensuring the flow of appropriate and reliable information among them and in relation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.”
(c) in paragraph 5 the following subparagraph is inserted:
“References in this Regulation to supervision ▌include all relevant activities, without prejudice to national competences, of all competent authorities to be carried out pursuant to the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
(2a) Article 3 is replaced by the following:
“Article 3Accountability of the
European System of Financial Supervision
1. The Authorities referred to in points (a) to (e) of Article 2(2) shall be accountable to the European Parliament and to the Council.
2. During any investigations carried out by the European Parliament pursuant to Article 226 TFEU, the Authority shall cooperate fully with the European Parliament.
3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.
The Authority shall include in the annual report referred to in the first subparagraph information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, on international organisations or administrations in third countries, on the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions, and on the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with Article 33.
4. At the request of the European Parliament, the Chairperson shall participate in a hearing before the European Parliament on the performance of the Authority. A hearing shall take place at least annually. The Chairperson shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members, whenever so requested.
5. The Chairperson shall report in writing on the activities of the Authority to the European Parliament when requested and at least 15 days before making the statement referred to in paragraph 1c.
6. In addition to the information referred to in Articles 11 to 18 and Articles 20 and 33, the report shall also include any relevant information requested by the European Parliament on an ad hoc basis.
7. The Authority shall reply orally or in writing to questions addressed to it by the European Parliament or by the Council within five weeks of receipt of a question.
8. Upon request, the Chairperson shall hold confidential oral discussions behind closed doors with the Chair, Vice-Chairs and Coordinators of the competent committee of the European Parliament where such discussions are required for the exercise of the European Parliament's powers under Article 226 TFEU. All participants shall respect requirements of professional secrecy.
9. The Authority shall establish a register of documents and their status of accessibility.
10. The Authority shall provide to the European Parliament a meaningful summary of proceedings of any meetings of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, the Financial Stability Board and the International Accounting Standards Board and any other relevant international body or institution concerning or affecting securities and markets supervision.”
(3) in point (3) of Article 4, point (ii) is replaced by the following:
"(ii) with regard to Directives 2002/65/EC and (EU) 2015/849, the authorities competent for ensuring compliance with the requirements of those Directives by firms providing investment services and by collective investment undertakings marketing their units or shares;";
(4) Article 6 is amended as follows:
(a) point (2) is replaced by the following:
"(2) an Executive Board, which shall exercise the tasks set out in Article 47;";
(b) point (4) is deleted;
(4a) Article 7 is replaced by the following:
“Article 7Seat
The Authority shall have its seat in Paris, France.
The location of the seat of the Authority shall not affect the Authority’s execution of its tasks and powers, the organisation of its governance structure, the operation of its main organisation, or the main financing of its activities, while allowing, where applicable, for the sharing with Union agencies of administrative support services and facility management services which are not related to the core activities of the Authority. By ... [date of application of this amending Regulation] and every 12 months thereafter, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the compliance of the European Supervisory Authorities with that requirement.”
(5) Article 8 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(-i) point (a) is amended as follows:
“(a) based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), to contribute to the establishment of high-quality common regulatory and supervisory standards and practices, in particular ▌by developing ▌ draft regulatory and implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations, and other measures, including opinions in accordance with Article 16a;;”
(i) the following point (aa) is inserted:
"(aa) to develop and maintain up-to-date a Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial market participants in the Union which sets out supervisory best practices and high quality methodologies and processes and takes into account, inter alia, changing business practices and business models and the size of financial market participants and markets;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) to contribute to the consistent application of legally binding Union acts, in particular by contributing to a common supervisory culture, ensuring consistent, efficient and effective application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), preventing regulatory arbitrage, fostering and monitoring supervisory independence, mediating and settling disagreements between competent authorities, ensuring effective and consistent supervision of financial market participants, ensuring a coherent functioning of colleges of supervisors and taking actions, inter alia, in emergency situations;"
(ii) points (e) and (f) are replaced by the following:
"(e) to organise and conduct reviews of competent authorities, with the support of national competent authorities, and, in that context, to issue ▐ recommendations addressed to those competent authorities and to identify best practices and in that context to issue guidelines with a view to strengthening consistency in supervisory outcomes;
(f) to monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence including, where relevant, developments relating to trends in innovative financial services and developments relating to trends in environmental, social and governance related factors;";
(iia) point (g) is replaced by the following:
“(g) to undertake market analyses to inform the discharge of the Authority’s functions;”
(iii) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) to foster, where relevant, consumer and investor protection, in particular with regards to short-comings in a cross-border context and taking related risks into account;";
(iiia) the following points (ia) and (ib)are inserted:
“(ia) to coordinate enforcement activities among competent authorities;”
(ib) to contribute to the establishment of a common Union financial data strategy;”
(iiib) the following point (ka) is inserted:
“(ka) to publish on its website, and to update regularly, all regulatory technical standards, implementing technical standards, guidelines, recommendations and Q&As for each legislative act referred to in Article 1(2), including overviews that concern the state of play of ongoing work and the planned timing of the adoption of draft regulatory technical standards, draft implementing technical standards, guidelines recommendations and Q&As. These information shall be made available in all working languages of the European Union;”
(iv) point (l) is deleted;
(b) a new paragraph 1a is inserted:
"1a. When carrying out its tasks in accordance with this Regulation, the authority shall:
(a) use the full powers available to it; and
(b) with due regard to the objective to ensure the safety and soundness of financial market participants, take fully into account the different types, business models and sizes of financial market participants;
(c) take account of technological innovation, innovative and sustainable business models, and the integration of environmental, social and governance related factors.";
(c) in paragraph 2, the following are amended:
(i) point (ca) is inserted:
"(ca) issue recommendations as laid down in Articles 29a and 31a;";
(ia) point (da) is inserted:
“(da) issue warnings in accordance with Article 9(3);”
(ib) points (ga), (gb) and (gc) are inserted:
“(ga) issue opinions to the European Parliament, the Council, or the Commission as provided for in Article 16a;
(gb) issue answers to questions, as laid down in Article 16b;
(gc) issue time-limited no-action letters, as laid down in Article 9a;”
(ii) point (h) is replaced by the following:
"(h) collect the necessary information concerning financial institutions as provided for in Article 35 and Article 35b";
(d) the following paragraph 3 is added:
"3. When carrying out the tasks referred to in this Article, the Authority shall strictly respect level 1 laws and level 2 measures and apply the principles of proportionality and better regulation, including impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses and open public consultations.
The open public consultations referred to in Articles 10, 15, 16 and 16a shall be conducted as widely as possible to ensure an inclusive approach towards all interested parties and shall allow reasonable time for stakeholders to respond. The Authority shall provide and publish feedback on how information and views gathered from the consultation were used in a draft regulatory technical standard, a draft implementing technical standard, guidelines, recommendations and opinions.
The Authority shall summarise the input received from stakeholders in a manner that allows for comparability of the results of public consultations on similar issues.";
(6) Article 9 is amended as follows:
(-a) in paragraph 1, point (a)is replaced by the following:
“(a) collecting, analysing and reporting on consumer trends, such as the development of costs and charges of retail financial services and products in Member States;”
(-aa) in paragraph 1, points (da) and (db) are added:
“(da) contributing to a level playing field in the single market where consumers and other users of financial services have fair access to comparable financial services, products and redress;
(db) coordinating mystery shopping activities of competent authorities.”
▌
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall monitor new and existing financial activities and may adopt guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16 with a view to promoting the safety and soundness of markets, and convergence and effectiveness of regulatory and supervisory practices.
2a. The Authority shall, within its respective competences, develop standards on conduct of business supervision addressed to national competent authorities, such as on minimum powers and tasks. ";
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Authority shall establish, as an integral part of the Authority, a Committee on proportionality, to ensure that the differences in the nature, scale and complexity of risks, changing business models and practice, and the size of financial institutions and markets is reflected in the work of the Authority, and a Committee on consumer protection and financial innovation, which brings together all relevant competent ▌authorities and authorities responsible for consumer protection with a view to enhancing consumer protection and achieving a coordinated approach to the regulatory and supervisory treatment of new or innovative financial activities and providing advice for the Authority to present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Authority shall closely cooperate with the European Data Protection Board to avoid duplication, inconsistencies and legal uncertainty in the sphere of data protection. The Authority may also include national data protection authorities as part of the Committee.";
(ba) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“5. The Authority may temporarily prohibit or restrict the marketing, distribution or sale of certain financial products, instruments or activities that have the potential to cause significant financial damage to customers or threaten the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union in the cases specified and under the conditions laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) or, if so required, in the case of an emergency situation in accordance with and under the conditions laid down in Article 18.
The Authority shall review the decision referred to in the first subparagraph at appropriate intervals, as soon as possible and at least every 6 months. The Authority may renew the prohibition or restriction twice, after which period it shall become permanent, unless the Authority considers otherwise.
A Member State may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. In that case, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
The Authority may also assess the need to prohibit or restrict certain types of financial activity or practice and, where there is such a need, inform the Commission and the competent authorities in order to facilitate the adoption of any such prohibition or restriction.”
(6a) the following Article 9a is inserted:
Article 9a
Time-limited no-action letters
1. In exceptional circumstances, and if the conditions set out in this paragraph are met, the Authority may, in coordination with all relevant competent authorities, issue time-limited no-action letters with regard to specific provisions in Union law that are based on the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). These no-action letters are a temporary commitment by the Authority and all relevant competent authorities not to enforce financial market participant’s non-compliance with specific provisions of Union law where the financial market participants cannot comply with such specific provisions because of at least one of the following reasons:
(a) compliance would place the financial market participants in breach of other legal and regulatory requirements of Union law;
(b) compliance without further level 2 measures or level 3 guidance is deemed not feasible by the Authority;
(c) compliance would seriously detriment or threat any of the following: market confidence, costumer or investor protection, the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or commodity markets, the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union.
The Authority shall not issue no-action letters if it deems that they would have a detrimental effect, which is disproportionate to its benefits, on the efficiency of financial markets or on costumer or investor protection.
2. The Authority shall specify in its no-action letter which specific provisions of Union law are subject to the non-enforcement, why it considers that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met and at which date the non-enforcement shall expire. The duration of such non-enforcement shall not exceed six months.
3. If the Authority decides to issue a no-action letter it shall immediately inform the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council thereof. Within two weeks after receiving this information, the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council may request the Authority to reconsider its decision. At the initiative of the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council this period shall be extended by two weeks. In the case that either the Commission, the European Parliament, or the Council request the Authority to reconsider its decision, the Authority shall decide, in accordance with the procedure set out in the second subparagraph of Article 44(1), whether it maintains its decision.
4. If the Authority has issued a no-action letter in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 3, it shall immediately publish it on its website. The Authority shall review its decision to issue a no-action letter at appropriate intervals and may only renew it for one period of 6 months. If a decision to issue a no-action letter is not renewed after a six-month period or a one year, it shall automatically expire.
(6a) Article 10 is replaced by the following:
“Article 10Regulatory technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council delegate power to the Commission to adopt regulatory technical standards by means of delegated acts pursuant to Article 290 TFEU in order to ensure consistent harmonisation in the areas specifically set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft regulatory technical standards. The Authority shall submit its draft regulatory standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Regulatory technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be delimited by the legislative acts on which they are based. The Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council as soon as practicable and in full of the progress made in developing the draft regulatory technical standards.
Before submitting them to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft regulatory technical standards in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of a draft regulatory technical standard whether to adopt the said standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). Any delayed adoption of the draft regulatory standard shall not prevent the European Parliament and the Council from exercising their scrutiny powers in accordance with Article 13.
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft regulatory technical standard or to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send the draft regulatory technical standard back to the Authority, explaining why it does not endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments, and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of that six-week period, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, or has submitted a draft regulatory technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant, or reject it.
The Commission may not change the content of a draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. Where the Authority has not submitted a draft regulatory technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft regulatory technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft regulatory technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt a regulatory technical standard by means of a delegated act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft regulatory technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft regulatory technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft regulatory technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and to the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft regulatory technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard, the Commission may adopt the regulatory technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft regulatory technical standard within the six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft regulatory technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the regulatory technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant. The Commission shall not change the content of the draft regulatory technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The regulatory technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘regulatory technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(6b) In Article 13(1), the second subparagraph is deleted.
(6c) Article 15 is replaced by the following:
“Article 15Implementing technical standards
1. Where the European Parliament and the Council confer implementing powers on the Commission to adopt implementing technical standards by means of implementing acts pursuant to Article 291 TFEU, and in order to ensure uniform conditions for implementing legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may develop draft implementing technical standards. Implementing technical standards shall be technical, shall not imply strategic decisions or policy choices and their content shall be to determine the conditions of application of those acts. The Authority shall submit its draft implementing technical standards to the Commission for endorsement. At the same time, the Authority shall forward those technical standards for information to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Before submitting draft implementing technical standards to the Commission, the Authority shall conduct open public consultations and shall analyse the potential related costs and benefits in accordance with Article 8(2a). The Authority shall also request the advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
▌
Within 3 months of receipt of a draft implementing technical standard, the Commission shall decide whether to endorse it. The Commission may endorse the draft implementing technical standard in part only, or with amendments, where the Union’s interests so require. If the Commission does not, in whole or in part, oppose the proposed implementing technical standard within the assessment period, it shall be deemed to be endorsed.
In the event that the Commission does not reach a decision within three months of receipt of the implementing technical standard, it shall immediately, and in any event before the expiry of the three month period, inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to reach a decision and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2).
Where the Commission intends not to endorse a draft implementing technical standard or intends to endorse it in part or with amendments, it shall send it back to the Authority explaining why it does not intend to endorse it, or, as the case may be, explaining the reasons for its amendments and shall send a copy of its letter to the European Parliament and to the Council. Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Commission’s proposed amendments and resubmit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fifth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, or has submitted a draft implementing technical standard that is not amended in a way consistent with the Commission’s proposed amendments, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant or reject it.
The Commission shall not change the content of a draft implementing technical standard prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
2. In cases where the Authority has not submitted a draft implementing technical standard within the time limit set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), it shall immediately inform the European Parliament and the Council thereof, indicating the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard and the planned timeline for endorsement, taking due account of the implementation and application date of the applicable legislative act referred to in Article 1(2). The Commission may request such a draft within a new time limit. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council of the new time limit without delay. The European Parliament may invite the Chairperson of the Authority to explain the reasons for not being in a position to submit the draft implementing technical standard.
3. Only where the Authority does not submit a draft implementing technical standard to the Commission within the time limits in accordance with paragraph 2, may the Commission adopt an implementing technical standard by means of an implementing act without a draft from the Authority.
The Commission shall conduct open public consultations on draft implementing technical standards and analyse the potential related costs and benefits, unless such consultations and analyses are disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of the draft implementing technical standards concerned or in relation to the particular urgency of the matter. The Commission shall also request the advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37.
The Commission shall immediately forward the draft implementing technical standard to the European Parliament, the Council and the Authority.
▌Within a period of 6 weeks, the Authority may amend the draft implementing technical standard and submit it in the form of a formal opinion to the Commission. The Authority shall send a copy of its formal opinion to the European Parliament and to the Council.
If, on the expiry of the six-week period referred to in the fourth subparagraph, the Authority has not submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard, the Commission may adopt the implementing technical standard.
If the Authority has submitted an amended draft implementing technical standard within that six-week period, the Commission may amend the draft implementing technical standard on the basis of the Authority’s proposed amendments or adopt the implementing technical standard with the amendments it considers relevant.
The Commission shall not change the content of the draft implementing technical standards prepared by the Authority without prior coordination with the Authority, as set out in this Article.
4. The implementing technical standards shall be adopted by means of regulations or decisions. The words ‘implementing technical standard’ shall appear in their title. They shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and shall enter into force on the date stated therein.”
(7) Article 16 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 ▌is replaced by the following:
"1. The Authority shall, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, and to ensuring the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law, issue guidelines or recommendations addressed to competent authorities or financial market participants.
The Authority may also address guidelines and recommendations to the authorities of Member States that are not defined as competent authorities under this Regulation but that are empowered to ensure the application of the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Guidelines and recommendations shall be in accordance with the mandate of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and take into account the principle of proportionality. The Authority shall not issue guidelines and recommendations on issues covered by level 1 empowerments for regulatory technical standards or implementing technical standards.
1a. The Authority may, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, issue guidelines addressed to all competent authorities or financial market participants for the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), based on the comply or explain implementation procedure referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article. Those guidelines shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2). In line with the above, competent authorities and financial market participants may establish additional practices regarding the method of compliance with the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, conduct open public consultations regarding the guidelines and recommendations and, where applicable questions and answers which it issues and shall analyse the related potential costs and benefits of issuing such guidelines and recommendations. Those consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the guidelines or recommendations. The Authority shall, save in exceptional circumstances, also request ▌ advice from the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group referred to in Article 37. The Authority shall provide reasons when it does not conduct open public consultations or does not request advice from the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group.";
(ba) the following paragraphs 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are inserted:
“2a. For the purposes of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may issue recommendations to one or more competent authorities or to one or more financial market participants.
2b. The Authority shall in its guidelines and recommendations state how it contributes to the establishment of consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the ESFS, how it ensures the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and as well as how it respects the provisions in paragraphs 1, 1a and 2a.
2c. Guidelines and recommendations shall not merely refer to, or reproduce, elements of legislative acts. Before issuing a new guideline or recommendation, the Authority shall first review existing guidelines and recommendations, in order to avoid any duplication.
2d. Three months before issuing any of the guidelines and recommendations referred to in paragraph 1a and in paragraph 2a, the Authority shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of the intended content of such guidelines and recommendations.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌is replaced by the following:
"4. In the report referred to in Article 43(5) the Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of the guidelines and recommendations that have been issued, explain how the Authority has justified issuing guidelines pursuant to paragraph 1a and recommendations pursuant to paragraph 2a, and summarise the feedback from public consultations on those guidelines pursuant to Article 8(2a). The report shall also state which competent authority has not complied with the guidelines and recommendations, and outline how the Authority intends to ensure that the competent authority concerned follow its guidelines and recommendations in the future.";
(d) the following paragraphs 5, 5a and 5b are added:
"5. Where two thirds of the members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a guideline pursuant to paragraph 1a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5a. Where at least half of the number of members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group are of the opinion that the Authority has exceeded its competence by issuing a recommendation pursuant to paragraph 2a, they may send a reasoned advice thereon to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
5b. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission may request an explanation justifying the issuance of the guidelines or recommendations concerned from the Authority. The Commission shall, on receipt of the explanation from the Authority, assess the scope of the guidelines or recommendations in view of the Authority's competence and send its assessment to the European Parliament and the Council. Where the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission considers that the Authority has exceeded its competence, and after having given the Authority the opportunity to state its views, the Commission may adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. Before such a decision is taken, and whenever so requested by the European Parliament, the Commission shall make a statement before the European Parliament and answer any questions put by its members. The European Parliament may request the Commission to adopt a decision requiring the Authority to withdraw or amend the guidelines or recommendations concerned. The decision of the Commission shall be made public.";
(7a) Articles 16a and 16b are inserted:
“Article 16aOpinions
1. On all issues related to its area of competence and upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority shall provide opinions to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Those opinions shall not be made public unless so specified in the request.
2. The request referred to in paragraph 1 may include a public consultation or a technical analysis.
3. With regard to prudential assessment of mergers and acquisitions falling within the scope of Directive 2009/138/EC and which, according to that Directive, require consultation between competent authorities from two or more Member States, the Authority may, on application of one of the competent authorities concerned, issue and publish an opinion on a prudential assessment, except in relation to the criteria in Article 59(1)(e) of Directive 2009/138/EC. The opinion shall be issued promptly and in any event before the end of the assessment period in accordance with Directive 2009/138/EC. Articles 35 and 35b shall apply to the areas in respect of which the Authority may issue an opinion.
4. The Authority may, upon a request from the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission provide technical advice to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission during the ordinary legislative procedure and for delegated acts concerning any legislative proposal of the Commission in the areas set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 16bQuestions and answers
1. For the interpretation, practical application or implementation of the provisions of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or associated delegated and implementing acts, guidelines and recommendations adopted under those legislative acts, any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions, may submit a question to the Authority in any official language of the Union.
Before submitting a question to the Authority, financial market participants shall assess whether to first address the question to their competent authority.
The Authority shall publish on its website all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, after collecting and before answering them.
This process shall not preclude any natural or legal person, including competent authorities and Union institutions from seeking confidential technical advice or clarification from the Authority.
2. The Authority shall publish on its website non-binding answers to all admissible questions pursuant to paragraph 1, for each legislative act, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of the natural or legal person that submitted the question or would involve risks to the stability of the financial system.
3. Before publishing answers to admissible questions, the Authority may consult with stakeholders in accordance with Article 16(2).
4. Answers by the Authority shall be considered suitable for compliance with the requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), and with associated delegated and implementing acts and guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to those legislative acts. Competent authorities and financial market participants may establish other practices for compliance with all applicable legal requirements.
5. The Authority shall review answers to questions as soon as it is deemed necessary and appropriate or at the latest 24 months after their publication in order to, where necessary, revise, update or withdraw them.
6. Where appropriate, the Authority shall take published answers into consideration when developing or updating guidelines and recommendations in accordance with Article 16.”
(8) Article 17 is replaced by the following:
"1. Where a competent authority has not applied the acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way which appears to be a breach of Union law, including the regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards established in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, in particular by failing to ensure that a financial market participant satisfies the requirements laid down in those acts, the Authority shall act in accordance with the powers set out in paragraphs 2, 3 and 6 of this Article.
2. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, or on the basis of factual and well reasoned information by relevant organisations or institutions, or on its own initiative, and after having informed the competent authority concerned, the Authority shall respond to the request and, if appropriate, investigate the alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the competent authority shall, without delay, provide the Authority with all information which the Authority considers necessary for its investigation including as to how the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are applied in accordance with Union law.
Without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 35, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request for information directly to other competent authorities or relevant financial market participants, whenever requesting information from the competent authority concerned has proven or it is deemed insufficient to obtain the information necessary for the purpose of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law. Where it is addressed to financial market participants, the reasoned request shall explain why the information is necessary for the purposes of investigating an alleged breach or non-application of Union law.
The addressee of such a request shall provide the Authority with clear, accurate and complete information without undue delay.
Where a request for information has been addressed to a financial market participant, the Authority shall inform the relevant competent authorities of such a request. The competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information, where so requested by the Authority.
3. The Authority may initiate a process of arbitration with the competent authority concerned in order to discuss the action necessary to comply with Union law. The competent authority concerned shall sincerely cooperate in such an arbitration.
The Authority may, as soon as possible but not later than 4 months from initiating its investigation, address a recommendation to the competent authority concerned setting out the action necessary to comply with Union law.
The competent authority shall, within 10 working days of receipt of the recommendation, inform the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to ensure compliance with Union law.
4. Where the competent authority has not complied with Union law within 1 month from receipt of the Authority’s recommendation, the Commission may, after having been informed by the Authority, or on its own initiative, issue a formal opinion requiring the competent authority to take the action necessary to comply with Union law. The Commission’s formal opinion shall take into account the Authority’s recommendation.
The Commission shall issue such a formal opinion no later than 3 months after the adoption of the recommendation. The Commission may extend this period by 1 month.
The Authority and the competent authorities shall provide the Commission with all necessary information.
5. The competent authority shall, within ten working days of receipt of the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4, inform the Commission and the Authority of the steps it has taken or intends to take to comply with that formal opinion.
6. Without prejudice to the powers and obligations of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the formal opinion referred to in paragraph 4 within the period of time specified therein, and where it is necessary to remedy in a timely manner such non-compliance in order to maintain or restore neutral conditions of competition in the market or ensure the orderly functioning and integrity of the financial system, the Authority may, where the relevant requirements of the acts referred to in Article 1(2) are directly applicable to financial market participant, adopt an individual decision addressed to a financial market participant requiring the necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law including the cessation of any practice.
The decision of the Authority shall be in conformity with the formal opinion issued by the Commission pursuant to paragraph 4.
7. Decisions adopted under paragraph 6 shall prevail over any previous decision adopted by the competent authorities on the same matter.
When taking action in relation to issues which are subject to a formal opinion pursuant to paragraph 4 or a decision pursuant to paragraph 6, competent authorities shall comply with the formal opinion or the decision, as the case may be.
8. In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall set out which competent authorities and financial market participants have not complied with the formal opinions or decisions referred to in paragraphs 4 and 6 of this Article.";
(8a) In Article 18, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Where the Council has adopted a decision pursuant to paragraph 2, and in exceptional circumstances where coordinated action by competent authorities is necessary to respond to adverse developments which may seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system in the Union or customer and consumer protection, the Authority may adopt individual decisions requiring competent authorities to take the necessary action in accordance with the legislation referred to in Article 1(2) to address any such developments by ensuring that financial market participants and competent authorities satisfy the requirements laid down in that legislation.”
(9) Article 19 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. In cases specified in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) as well as in cases of significant disagreement between two or more national competent authorities concerning the application of those acts and without prejudice to the powers laid down in Article 17, the Authority may assist the competent authorities in reaching an agreement in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 to 4 in either of the following circumstances:
(a) at the request of one or more of the competent authorities concerned where a competent authority disagrees with the procedure or content of an action, proposed action, or inactivity of another competent authority;
(b) on its own initiative where on the basis of objective reasons, including on the basis of information from market participants or consumer organisations, disagreement can be determined between competent authorities.
In cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken by competent authorities, a disagreement shall be presumed in the absence of a joint decision being taken by those authorities within the time limits set out in those acts;";
(b) the following paragraphs 1a and 1b are inserted:
"1a. The competent authorities concerned shall in the following cases notify the Authority without delay that an agreement has not been reached:
(a) where a time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided for in the Union acts, referred to in Article 1(2), and the earlier of the following occurs :
(i) the time limit has expired;
(ii) one or more of the competent authorities conclude that a disagreement exists, on the basis of objective reasons;
(b) where no time limit for reaching an agreement between competent authorities has been provided in the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) , and the earlier of the following occurs:
(i) one or more of the competent authorities concerned conclude that a disagreement exists on the basis of objective reasons; or
(ii) two months have elapsed from the date of receipt by a competent authority of a request from another competent authority to take certain action in order to comply with Union law and the requested authority has not yet adopted a decision that satisfies the request.
1b. The Chairperson shall assess whether the Authority should act in accordance with paragraph 1. Where the intervention is at the Authority’s own initiative, the Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of its decision regarding the intervention.
Pending the Authority's decision in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 47(3a), in cases where the acts referred to in Article 1(2) require a joint decision to be taken, all competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their individual decisions. Where the Authority decides to act, all the competent authorities involved in the joint decision shall defer their decisions until the procedure set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 is concluded.";
(c) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"Where the competent authorities concerned fail to reach an agreement within the conciliation phase referred to in paragraph 2, the Authority may take a decision requiring those authorities to take specific action or to refrain from certain action in order to settle the matter, in order to ensure compliance with Union law. The decision of the Authority shall be binding on the competent authorities concerned. The Authority’s decision may require competent authorities to revoke or amend a decision that they have adopted or to make use of the powers which they have under the relevant Union law.";
(d) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall notify the competent authorities concerned of the conclusion of the procedures under paragraphs 2 and 3 together, where applicable with its decision taken under paragraph 3.";
(e) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. Without prejudice to the powers of the Commission pursuant to Article 258 TFEU, where a competent authority does not comply with the decision of the Authority, and thereby fails to ensure that a financial market participant complies with requirements directly applicable to it by virtue of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority may adopt an individual decision addressed to a financial market participant requiring the necessary action to comply with its obligations under Union law, including the cessation of any practice.";
(9a) Article 21 is replaced by the following:
“Article 21Colleges of supervisors
1. The Authority shall promote and monitor, within the scope of its powers, the efficient, effective and consistent functioning of the colleges of supervisors where established by legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and foster the coherence and consistency of the application of Union law among the colleges of supervisors. With the objective of converging supervisory best practices, the Authority shall promote joint supervisory plans and joint examinations, and staff from the Authority shall have full participation rights in the colleges of supervisors and, as such, shall be able to participate in and, if duly justified, lead the activities of the colleges of supervisors, including on-site examinations, carried out jointly by two or more competent authorities.
2. The Authority shall lead in ensuring a consistent and coherent functioning of colleges of supervisors for cross-border institutions across the Union, taking account of the systemic risk posed by financial market participants referred to in Article 23, and shall, where appropriate, convene a meeting of a college.
For the purpose of this paragraph and of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall be considered a ‘competent authority’ within the meaning of the relevant legislation.
The Authority may:
(a) collect and share all relevant information in cooperation with the competent authorities in order to facilitate the work of the college and establish and manage a central system to make such information accessible to the competent authorities in the college;
(b) initiate and coordinate Union-wide stress tests in accordance with Article 32 to assess the resilience of financial market participants, in particular the systemic risk posed by financial market participants as referred to in Article 23, to adverse market developments, and evaluate the potential for systemic risk posed by key financial market participants to increase in situations of stress, ensuring that a consistent methodology is applied at the national level to such tests and, where appropriate, address a recommendation to the competent authority to correct issues identified in the stress test, including to conduct specific assessments. It may request competent authorities to carry out on-site inspections, and may participate in such on-site inspections, in order to ensure comparability and reliability of methods, practices and results of Union-wide assessments;
(c) promote effective and efficient supervisory activities, including evaluating the risks to which financial market participants are or might be exposed in stress situations;
(d) oversee, in accordance with the tasks and powers specified in this Regulation, the tasks carried out by the competent authorities; and
(e) request further deliberations of a college in any cases where it considers that the decision would result in an incorrect application of Union law or would not contribute to the objective of convergence of supervisory practices. It may also require to schedule a meeting of the college or add a point to the agenda of a meeting.
3. The Authority may develop draft regulatory and implementing technical standards as specified in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 10 to 15 to ensure uniform conditions of application with respect to the provisions regarding the operational functioning of colleges of supervisors and issue guidelines and recommendations adopted under Article 16 to promote convergence in supervisory functioning and best practices adopted by the colleges of supervisors.
4. The Authority shall have a legally binding mediation role to resolve disputes between competent authorities in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 19. The Authority may take supervisory decisions directly applicable to the financial market participant concerned in accordance with Article 19.”
(10) Article 22 is replaced by the following:
"Article 22
General provisions on systemic risks
1. The Authority shall duly consider systemic risk as defined by Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. It shall address any risk of disruption in financial services that:
(a) is caused by an impairment of all or parts of the financial system; and
(b) has the potential to have serious negative consequences for internal market and the real economy.
The Authority shall consider, where appropriate, the monitoring and assessment of systemic risk as developed by the ESRB and the Authority and respond to warnings and recommendations by the ESRB in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010.
2. The Authority shall, in collaboration with the ESRB, and in accordance with Article 23, develop a common approach for the identification and measurement of systemic risk posed by key financial market participants, including quantitative and qualitative indicators as appropriate.
Those indicators shall be a critical element in the determination of appropriate supervisory actions. The Authority shall monitor the degree of convergence in the determinations made, with a view to promoting a common approach.
3. Without prejudice to the acts referred to in Article 1(2), the Authority shall draw up, as necessary, additional guidelines and recommendations for key financial market participants, to take account of the systemic risk posed by them.
The Authority shall ensure that the systemic risk posed by key financial market participants is taken into account when developing draft regulatory and implementing technical standards in the areas laid down in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
4. Upon a request from one or more competent authorities, the European Parliament, the Council, Member States or the Commission, or on its own initiative, the Authority may conduct an inquiry into a particular type of financial activity or type of product or type of conduct in order to assess potential threats to the integrity of the financial markets or the stability of the financial system or to the protection of customers or consumers and make appropriate recommendations for action to the competent authorities concerned.
For those purposes, the Authority may use the powers ▌conferred on it under this Regulation, including Article 35 and 35b.
5. The Joint Committee shall ensure overall and cross-sectoral coordination of the activities carried out in accordance with this Article.";
(10a) In Article 23, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall, in consultation with the ESRB, develop criteria for the identification and measurement of systemic risk and an adequate stress-testing regime which includes an evaluation of the potential for systemic risk posed by or to financial market participants to increase in situations of stress, including potential environmental-related systemic risk. The financial market participants that may pose a systemic risk shall be subject to strengthened supervision, and where necessary, the recovery and resolution procedures referred to in Article 25.”
(10b) In Article 26, paragraph 4 is deleted.
(10c) In Article 27(2), the second and the third subparagraphs are deleted.
(11) Article 29 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following point (aa) is inserted:
"(aa) issuing the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan in accordance with Article 29a;";
(ii) point (b) is replaced by the following:
"(b) promoting an effective bilateral and multilateral exchange of information between competent authorities, pertaining to all relevant issues, including cyber security and cyber-attacks ▌, with full respect for the applicable confidentiality and data protection provisions provided for in the relevant Union legislation;";
(iii) point (e) is replaced by the following:
"(e) establishing sectoral and cross-sectoral training programmes, including with respect to technological innovation, facilitating personnel exchanges and encouraging competent authorities to intensify the use of secondment schemes and other tools;"
(iiia) the following point (ea) is inserted:
"(ea) putting in place a monitoring system to assess material environmental, social and governance-related risks, taking into account the COP 21 Paris agreement;";
(b) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Authority may, as appropriate, develop new practical instruments and convergence tools to promote common supervisory approaches and practices.
For the purpose of establishing a common supervisory culture, the Authority shall develop and maintain an up-to-date Union supervisory handbook on the supervision of financial markets participants in the Union, taking duly into account nature, scale and complexity of risks, ▌business practices, ▌business models and size including changes due to technological innovation, of financial market participants and markets. The Union supervisory handbook shall set out best practices and high quality methodologies and processes.
The Authority shall take duly into account the supervisory handbook when carrying out its tasks, including assessment of potential breaches of Union law pursuant to Article 17, settling disputes pursuant to Article 19 and laying down laying down and assessing Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives in accordance with Article 29a and carrying out reviews of competent authorities pursuant to Article 30.
The Authority shall, where appropriate, conduct open public consultations regarding the opinions referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 and tools and instruments referred to in paragraph 2 and analyse the related potential costs and benefits. Such consultations and analyses shall be proportionate in relation to the scope, nature and impact of the opinions or tools and instruments. The Authority shall, where appropriate, also request opinions or advice from the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group.”;
(12) the following Article 29a is inserted:
"Article 29a
Union Supervisory Plan
1. The Authority shall, at least every three years and by 31 March, following a debate in the Board of Supervisors and taking into account contributions received from competent authorities, existing work by the EU Institutions and analysis, warnings and recommendations published by the ESRB, issue a recommendation addressed to competent authorities, laying down Union-wide supervisory strategic objectives and priorities ("Union Strategic Supervisory Plan") without prejudice to the specific national objectives and priorities of competent authorities. Competent authorities shall identify in their contributions the supervisory activities that in their view shall be prioritised by the Authority. The Authority shall transmit the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission and shall make it public on its website.
The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall identify specific priorities for supervisory activities in order to promote consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices and the common, uniform and consistent application of Union law and to address relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities, anticipating developments including new business models, identified in accordance with Article 32. The Union Strategic Supervisory Plan shall not prevent national competent authorities from applying national best practices, acting on additional national priorities and developments, and shall consider national specificities.
2. Each competent authority shall ▌ specifically stipulate how their annual work programme is aligned with the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan.
▌
4. Each competent authority shall as part of its annual report dedicate a chapter on the implementation of the annual work programme.
The chapter shall include at least the following information:
(a) a description of the supervisory activities and examinations of financial market participants, market practices and behaviours and of financial market participants, and on the administrative measures and sanctions imposed against financial institutions responsible for breaches of Union and national law;
(b) a description of activities that were carried out and which were not foreseen in the annual work programme;
(c) an account of the activities provided for in the annual work programme that were not carried out and of the objectives of that programme that were not met, as well as the reasons for the failure to carry out those activities and to reach those objectives.
5. The Authority shall assess the information laid down in the dedicated chapter referred to in paragraph 4. Where there are material risks of not attaining the priorities set out in the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan the Authority shall issue a recommendation to each competent authority concerned on how the relevant shortcomings in its activities can be remedied.
Based on the reports and its own assessment of risks, the Authority shall identify the activities of the competent authority that are critical to fulfilling the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan and shall, as appropriate, conduct reviews under Article 30 of those activities.
6. The Authority shall make best practices identified during the assessment of the annual work programmes publicly available.";
(13) Article 30 is amended as follows:
(a) the title of the article is replaced by the following:
"Reviews of competent authorities";
(b) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. On its own initiative or upon request by the European Parliament or the Council, the Authority shall periodically conduct reviews of some or all of the activities of competent authorities, to further strengthen consistency and effectiveness in supervisory outcomes. To that end, the Authority shall develop methods to allow for objective assessment and comparison between the competent authorities reviewed. When identifying competent authorities to be reviewed and conducting reviews, existing information and evaluations already made with regard to the competent authority concerned, including relevant information provided to the Authority in accordance with Article 35, and any relevant information from stakeholders, in particular possible deficiencies of and misconduct by a competent authority, shall be taken into account.";
(c) the following paragraph 1a is inserted:
"1a. For the purposes of this Article, the Authority shall establish an ad hoc review committee chaired by the Authority, and composed of staff from the Authority, accompanied and supported, on a voluntary and rotating basis, by up to five representatives of different competent authorities excluding the competent authority under review ▌."
(d) paragraph 2 is amended as follows:
(i) the introductory sentence is replaced by the following:
"The review shall include an assessment of, but shall not be limited to:";
(ii) point (a) is replaced by the following:
"(a) the adequacy of resources, the degree of independence, and governance arrangements of the competent authority, with particular regard to the effective application of the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) and the capacity to respond to market developments;";
(iia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the effectiveness and the degree of convergence reached in the application of Union law and in supervisory practice, including regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards, guidelines and recommendations adopted pursuant to Articles 10 to 16, and the extent to which the supervisory practice achieves the objectives set out in Union law, including the objectives of common supervisory culture under Article 29 and of the Union Strategic Supervisory Plan under Article 29a;”
(iib) point (c) is replaced by the following:
“(c) the application of best practices developed by some competent authorities;“
(e) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. The Authority shall produce a report setting out the results of the review. That report shall explain and indicate the follow-up measures that are deemed appropriate and necessary, as a result of the review. Those follow-up measures may be adopted in the form of guidelines and recommendations pursuant to Article 16, and opinions pursuant to Article29(1)(a), addressed to the relevant competent authorities.
▌The Authority shall issue a follow-up report regarding compliance with requested follow-up measures. ▌
When developing draft regulatory technical standards or draft implementing standards in accordance with Articles 10 to 15, or guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16, the Authority shall take into account the outcome of reviews conducted in accordance with this Article, along with any other information acquired by the Authority in carrying out its tasks, in order to ensure convergence of the highest quality supervisory practices.";
(f) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
"3a. The Authority shall submit an opinion to the Commission where, having regard to the outcome of the review or to any other information acquired by the Authority in carrying out its tasks, it considers that further harmonisation of Union rules applicable to financial market participants or competent authorities would be necessary from the Union perspective or where it considers that a competent authority has not applied the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2), or has applied them in a way that appears to breach Union law.";
(g) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Authority shall publish the reports referred to in paragraph 3 including any follow-up report, unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system. The competent authority that is subject to the review shall be invited to comment before the publication of any report. Before publication, the Authority shall, where appropriate, take those comments into account. The Authority may publish those comments as an annex to the report unless publication would involve risks to the stability of the financial system or the competent authority objects to the publication. The report produced by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3 and the guidelines, recommendations and opinions adopted by the Authority referred to in paragraph 3a shall be published simultaneously.";
(14) ▌Article 31 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, subparagraph 1, point (e) is replaced by the following:
“(e) taking ▌appropriate measures in case of developments which may jeopardise the functioning of the financial markets with a view to the coordination of actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(b) in paragraph 1, subparagraph 1, point (ea) is inserted:
”(ea) taking appropriate measures to facilitate the uptake of technological innovation with a view to the coordination of actions undertaken by relevant competent authorities;”
(c) a paragraph 1a is added:
“1a. The Authority shall take appropriate measures to facilitate entry into the market of operators or products relying on technological innovation. In order to contribute to the establishment of a common European approach towards technological innovation the Authority shall promote supervisory convergence, with the support, where relevant, of the committee on financial innovation and, in particular through the exchange of information and best practices. Where appropriate, the Authority may adopt guidelines or recommendations in accordance with Article 16.;”
(15) new Article 31a is inserted:
"Article 31aCoordination on delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfers
"1. The Authority shall on an ongoing basis coordinate supervisory actions of competent authorities with a view to promoting supervisory convergence in the fields of delegation and outsourcing of activities by financial market participants as well as in relation to risk transfers conducted by them into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3▐. Within their respective competences, the competent authorities bear ultimate responsibility for authorisation, supervision and enforcement decisions with regard to delegation and outsourcing of activities as well as of risk transfers.
2. The competent authorities shall notify the Authority where they intend to carry out an authorisation or registration of a financial market participant which would be under supervision of the competent authority concerned in accordance with the acts referred to in Article 1(2) and where the business plan of the financial market participant entails the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of the key functions or the risk transfer of a material part of its activities into third countries, to benefit from the EU passport while essentially performing substantial activities or functions outside the Union. The notifications by competent authorities to the Authority shall be sufficiently detailed ▌.
▌
3. Where the Union legislation referred to in Article 1(2) applies and where it does not impose any specific requirement to the notification of outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer, a financial market participant shall notify the competent authority of the outsourcing or delegation of a material part of its activities or any of its key functions, and the risk transfer of a material part of its activities, to another entity or its own branch established in a third country. The competent authority concerned shall inform the Authority of such notifications on a semi-annual basis.
Without prejudice to Article 35, at the request of the Authority, the competent authority shall provide information in relation to the outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements by financial market participants.
The Authority shall monitor whether the competent authorities concerned verify that outsourcing, delegation or risk transfer arrangements referred to in the first subparagraph are concluded in accordance with Union law, comply with guidelines, recommendations or opinions from the Authority and do not prevent effective supervision by the competent authorities and enforcement in a third country.
3a. If a competent authority’s verification arrangements prevent effective supervision or enforcement and entail risks for regulatory arbitrage across Member States, the Authority may issue recommendations to the competent authority concerned on how to improve its verification arrangements including a deadline until which the competent authority should implement the recommended changes. If the concerned competent authority does not follow the recommendations, it shall state the reasons and the Authority shall make its recommendations public together with those reasons.
3b. The Commission shall within [one year from the entry into force of this amending regulation] draw up a report, which takes stock of the different approaches in sectoral legislation with regards to assessing, the materiality of the activity to be outsourced or delegated and which investigates the possibility for a more harmonised approach in this regard via the potential specification of common criteria and methodology. The Commission shall submit this report to the European Parliament and the Council.
In doing so, the Commission shall take into account:
(a) the continuity of activity,
(b) the effective management capacity,
(c) effective capacity to audit delegated and outsourced activities as well as risk transfers."
▌
(16) new Article 31b is inserted:
"Article 31bCoordination function in relation to orders, transactions and activities with significant cross-border effects
1. Where the Authority has evidence or clear indications from several different sources to suspect that orders, transactions or any other activity with significant cross-border effects threaten the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the financial stability in the Union, it shall recommend that competent authorities of the Member States concerned initiate an investigation and shall provide those competent authorities with the relevant information.
2. Where a competent authority has evidence or clear indications from several different sources to suspect that orders, transactions or any other activity with significant cross-border effects threaten the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the financial stability in the Union, it shall promptly notify the Authority and provide the relevant information. The Authority may recommend the competent authorities of the Member States where the suspected activity has occurred to take action after transmitting the relevant information to those competent authorities.
3. The Authority shall facilitate electronic exchange of information between the Authority and the competent authorities and establish and maintain data storage facility designed for that purpose in order to ensure efficiency and to avoid any form of duplication in data flows, in reporting obligations, or in notifications, while taking existing provisions such as in Article 26 MiFIR and in Article 4 MAR into account.";
(17) ▌Article 32 is replaced by the following:
"Article 32Assessment of market developments
, including stress tests
1. The Authority shall monitor and assess market developments in the area of its competence and, where necessary, inform the two other ESAs, the ESRB and the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission about the relevant micro-prudential trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities. The Authority shall include in its assessments an ▌analysis of the markets in which financial market participants operate and an assessment of the impact of potential market developments on such institutions.
2. The Authority shall ▌ initiate and coordinate Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial market participants to adverse market developments in a realistic manner. To that end it shall develop the following, for application by the competent authorities:
(a) common methodologies for assessing the effect of economic scenarios on the financial position of a financial market participant;
(aa) common methodologies for identifying financial institutions to be included in Union-wide assessments;
(b) common approaches to communication on the outcomes of those assessments of the resilience of financial market participants;
(c) common methodologies for assessing the effect of particular products or distribution processes on the financial position of a financial market participant and on investors and customer information; and
(ca) common methodologies for assessing the effect of environmental risks on the financial stability of institutions.
For the purposes of this paragraph, the Authority shall cooperate with the ESRB, which shall avoid any potential conflict of interest with regard to the conduct of monetary policies.
2a. At least annually, the Authority shall consider whether it is appropriate to carry out Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 and shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasoning. Where such Union-wide assessments are carried out, the Authority shall disclose the results for each participating financial market participant, unless it considers such disclosure to be inappropriate having regard to the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or the functioning of the internal market.
Professional secrecy obligations of competent authorities shall not prevent the competent authorities from publishing the outcome of Union-wide assessments referred to in paragraph 2 or from transmitting the outcome of such assessments to the Authority for the purpose of the publication by the Authority of the results of Union-wide assessments of the resilience of financial market participants.
3. Without prejudice to the tasks of the ESRB set out in Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010, the Authority shall, once a year, and more frequently if necessary, provide assessments to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the ESRB of trends, potential risks and vulnerabilities in its area of competence, in combination with the indicators referred to in Article 22(2).
The Authority shall include a classification of the main risks and vulnerabilities in these assessments and, where necessary, recommend preventative or remedial actions.
4. The Authority shall ensure an adequate coverage of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities by closely cooperating with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) through the Joint Committee.";
(18) Article 33 is replaced by the following
"Article 33
International relations including equivalence
1. Without prejudice to the respective competences of the Member States and the Union institutions, the Authority may develop contacts and enter into administrative arrangements with regulatory and supervisory authorities, international organisations and the administrations of third countries. Those arrangements shall not create legal obligations in respect of the Union and its Member States nor shall they prevent Member States and their competent authorities from concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements with those third countries.
Where a third country, in accordance with a delegated act in force adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council, is on the list of jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union, the Authority shall not conclude cooperation arrangements with the regulatory and supervisory authorities of that third country.
2. The Authority shall assist the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions pertaining to regulatory and supervisory regimes in third countries following a specific request for advice from the Commission, on their own initiative, or where required to do so by the acts referred to in Article 1(2).
2a. The Authority shall, on an ongoing basis, monitor regulatory and supervisory developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which equivalence decisions have been adopted by the Commission pursuant to the acts referred to in Article 1(2) in order to verify whether the criteria, on the basis of which those decisions have been taken and any conditions set out therein, are still fulfilled. The Authority shall submit a confidential report on its findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the two other ESAs every three years or more frequently where appropriate or where requested by the European Parliament, the Council or the Commission. The report shall focus in particular on implications for financial stability, market integrity, investor protection or the functioning of the internal market.
Without prejudice to specific requirements set out in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities, and where applicable, also with resolution authorities, of third countries whose regulatory and supervisory regimes have been recognised as equivalent. That cooperation shall be pursued on the basis of administrative arrangements concluded with the relevant authorities of those third countries. When negotiating such administrative arrangements, the Authority shall include provisions on the following:
(a) the mechanisms which would allow the Authority to obtain relevant information, including information on the regulatory regime, as well as the supervisory approach, relevant market developments and any changes that may affect the decision on equivalence;
(b) to the extent necessary for the follow-up of such decisions on equivalence, the procedures concerning the coordination of supervisory activities including on-site inspections conducted under the responsibility of the Authority, where appropriate, accompanied and supported by up to five representatives of different competent authorities on a voluntary and rotating basis, and by the competent authority of the third country.
The Authority shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and the other ESAs where a third-country competent authority refuses to conclude such administrative arrangements or when it refuses to effectively cooperate. The Commission shall take this information into account when reviewing the relevant equivalence decisions.
2b. Where the Authority identifies developments in relation to the regulation, supervision or, where applicable, resolution, or the enforcement practices in the third countries referred to in paragraph 2a that may impact the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, market integrity or investor protection or the functioning of the internal market, it shall inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on a confidential basis and without delay.
▐
2c. The competent authorities shall inform the Authority in advance of their intentions to conclude any administrative arrangements with third-country supervisory authorities in any of the areas governed by the acts referred to in Article 1(2), including in relation to branches of third country entities. They shall provide to the Authority a draft of such planned arrangements as soon as possible.
The Authority may cooperate with the competent authorities to develop model administrative arrangements, with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the Union and to strengthening international supervisory coordination. The competent authorities shall follow such model arrangements as closely as possible.
Where the Authority in cooperation with the competent authorities develops such model administrative arrangements, the competent authorities shall not conclude administrative arrangements with third country authorities before the completion of the model arrangement.
In the report referred to in Article 43(5), the Authority shall include information on the administrative arrangements agreed upon with supervisory authorities, international organisations or administrations in third countries, the assistance provided by the Authority to the Commission in preparing equivalence decisions and the monitoring activity pursued by the Authority in accordance with paragraph 2a.
▐
3a. The Authority shall seek full membership of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions and of the Financial Stability Board, and shall seek observer status on the International Accounting Standards Monitoring Board.
Any position to be taken by the Authority in international fora shall first be discussed and approved by the Board of Supervisors.
3b. The Authority shall, where appropriate, monitor regulatory, supervisory and where applicable, resolution developments and enforcement practices and relevant market developments in third countries for which international agreements have been concluded.
Without prejudice to the specific requirements of the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2) and subject to the conditions set out in the second sentence of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority shall cooperate with the relevant competent authorities and, where applicable, also with resolution authorities, of the third countries referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph.";
(19) ▌Article 34 is deleted.
(20) Article 35 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
"1. At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall provide the Authority with all the necessary information to carry out the tasks conferred on it by this Regulation, provided that they have legal access to the relevant information.
The information provided shall be accurate, complete and submitted within the time limit prescribed by the Authority."
2. The Authority may also request information to be provided at recurring intervals and in specified format or by way of comparable templates approved by the Authority. Such requests shall, always where possible, be made using existing common reporting formats and shall respect the principle of proportionality provided for in national and Union law, including in the legislative acts referred to in Article 1(2).
3. At the request of a competent authority, the Authority may provide any information it holds that is necessary to enable the competent authority to carry out its tasks, in accordance with the professional secrecy obligations laid down in sectoral legislation and in Article 70.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. Where information requested in accordance with paragraph 1 is not available or is not made available by the competent authorities within the time limit set by the Authority, the Authority may address a duly justified and reasoned request to any of the following:
(a) other supervisory authorities with supervisory functions;,
(b) to the ministry responsible for finance in the Member State concerned where it has at its disposal prudential information;,
(c) to the national central bank or to the statistical office of the Member State concerned;
(d) to the statistical office of the Member State concerned.
At the request of the Authority, the competent authorities shall assist the Authority in collecting the information.";
(c) paragraphs 6 and 7 are deleted;
(21) The following Articles 35a to 35da are inserted:
"Article 35aExercise of the powers referred to in Article 35b
The powers conferred on the Authority or any of its official or other person authorised by the Authority in accordance with Article 35 shall not be used to require the disclosure of information or documents that are subject to legal privilege.
Articles 35a and 35b shall apply without prejudice to national law.
Article 35bRequest for information to financial market participants
1. Where information requested under paragraph 1 or paragraph 5 of Article 35 is not available or is not made available within the time limit set by the Authority, it may , without creating any data duplicates, require the relevant financial market participants to provide thenecessary information to enable the Authority to carry out its duties under this Regulation.
▌4. Within a reasonable time limit set by the Authority, the relevant financial market participants or their legal representatives ▌ shall supply the information requested. ▌
5. The authority shall send, without delay, a copy of the ▌request ▌to the competent authority of the Member State where the relevant financial market participant concerned by the request for information is domiciled or established.
6. The Authority may use confidential information received in accordance with this Article only for the purposes of carrying out the tasks assigned to it by this Regulation.";
Article 35cProcedural rules for imposing fines
1. Where, in carrying out its duties under this Regulation, the authority finds that there are serious indications of the possible existence of facts liable to constitute an infringement as referred to in Article 35d(1), the Authority shall request the Commission to investigate the matter. ▌
▌
Article 35dFines
and periodic penalty payments
-1. Before taking any decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment, the Commission shall give the institution or entity subject to the request for information the opportunity to be heard.
The Commission shall base its decision to impose a fine or a periodic penalty payment only on the findings on which the institutions or entities concerned have had the opportunity to comment.
1. The Commission shall adopt a decision to impose a where it finds that a financial market participant has, intentionally or negligently, failed to provide information required or has provided incomplete, incorrect or misleading information in response to a simple request for information ▌pursuant to Article 35b(1).
2. The basic amount of the fine referred to in paragraph 1 shall amount to at least EUR 50 000 and shall not exceed EUR 200 000.
2. The basic ▌fine referred to in paragraph 1 shall amount to at least EUR [X; lower than EUR 50 000] and shall not exceed EUR [Y; lower than EUR 200 000] and shall be dissuasive, effective and proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
The Authority, together with EBA and EIOPA, shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying the methodology for setting fines in accordance with this paragraph.
▌
5. ▌The total fine shall not exceed [X%; lower than 20%] of the annual turnover of the financial market participant concerned in the preceding business year unless the financial market participant has directly or indirectly benefitted financially from the infringement. In that case, the total fine shall be at least equal to that financial benefit.
5a. The Commission may impose a periodic penalty payment until the infringement is corrected. The periodic penalty payment shall be proportionate to the size of the institution or entity and the nature and significance of the infringement.
5b. The rights of defence of the institution or entity shall be fully respected during the procedure. The institution or entity shall be entitled to have access to the files of the Authority and of the Commission, subject to the legitimate interest of other persons in protecting their business secrets. The right of access to file shall not extend to confidential information or internal preparatory documents of the Authority or the Commission.
5c. Enforcement of the fine or periodic penalty payment may only be suspended by a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The institutions or entities subject to a fine or periodic penalty payment may institute proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union against a decision of the Commission to impose a fine or periodic penalty payment. The Court may, among others, annul, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty payment imposed by the Commission.
5d. The Commission shall disclose to the public every fine and periodic penalty payment that has been imposed, unless such disclosure to the public would seriously jeopardise financial markets or cause disproportionate damage to the parties involved.
5e. The amounts of the fines and periodic penalty payments shall be allocated to the general budget of the Union.
Article 35daFines specific to CCPs
Notwithstanding the fines referred to in Article 35d, CCPs may be fined in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, notably pursuant to Articles 25f, 25g, 25h, 25i and 25j and Annexes III and IV.”
▌(22) Article 36 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 3 is deleted.
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
“4. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to the Authority, the Authority shall discuss that warning or recommendation at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors or, where appropriate, earlier, in order to assess the implications of, and possible follow-up to, such a warning or recommendation for the fulfilment of its tasks.
It shall decide, by the relevant decision-making procedure, whether any actions are to be taken in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation for addressing the issues identified in the warnings and recommendations and on the content of that action.
If the Authority does not act on a warning or recommendation, it shall explain to the ESRB its reasons for not doing so. The ESRB shall inform the European Parliament thereof in accordance with Article 19(5) of Regulation (EU) No 1092/2010. The ESRB shall also inform the Council and the Commission thereof.”
(c) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. On receipt of a warning or recommendation from the ESRB addressed to a competent authority, the Authority may, where relevant, use the powers conferred upon it by this Regulation to ensure a timely follow-up.
Where the addressee intends not to follow the recommendation of the ESRB, it shall inform and discuss with the Board of Supervisors its reasons for not acting."
(d) paragraph 6 is deleted.
(23) Article 37 is ▌replaced by the following:
"Article 37Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group
1. To help facilitate consultation with stakeholders in areas relevant to the tasks of the Authority, a Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be established. The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be consulted on actions taken in accordance with Articles 10 to 15 concerning regulatory technical standards and implementing technical standards and, to the extent that these do not concern individual financial market participants, Article 16 concerning guidelines and recommendations, Article 16a concerning opinions and Article 16b concerning questions and answers. If actions must be taken urgently and consultation becomes impossible, the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be informed as soon as possible.
The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall meet at least four times a year.
2. The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be composed of 30 members, 13 members representing in balanced proportions financial market participants operating in the Union, 13 members representing their employees’ representatives consumers, users of financial services and representatives of SMEs and four of its members shall be independent top-ranking academics. ▐
3. The members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, following an open and transparent selection procedure. In making its decision, the Board of Supervisors shall, to the extent possible, ensure an appropriate reflection of diversity of the securities and markets sector, geographical and gender balance and representation of stakeholders across the Union. Members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall be selected according to their qualifications, skills, relevant knowledge and proven expertise.
3a. Members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall elect the Chair of that Group from among its Members. The position of Chair shall be held for a period of two years.
The European Parliament may invite the Chair of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.
4. The Authority shall provide all necessary information, subject to professional secrecy, as set out in Article 70, and ensure adequate secretarial support for the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group. Adequate compensation shall be provided to members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group that are representing non-profit organisations, excluding industry representatives. This compensation shall take into account the members' preparatory and follow-up work and shall be at least equivalent to the reimbursement rates of officials pursuant to Title V, Chapter 1, Section 2 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union laid down in Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 ( 13 ) (Staff Regulations). The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group may establish working groups on technical issues. Members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall serve for a period of four years, following which a new selection procedure shall take place.
The members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group may serve two successive terms.
5. The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group may submit opinions and advice to the Authority on any issue related to the tasks of the Authority with particular focus on the tasks set out in Articles 10 to 16band Articles 29, 30, 32 and 35.
Where members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group cannot agree on advice, one third of its members or the members representing one group of stakeholders shall be permitted to issue a separate advice.
The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, the Banking Stakeholder Group, the Insurance and Reinsurance Stakeholder Group, and the Occupational Pensions Stakeholder Group may issue joint opinions and advice on issues related to the work of the European Supervisory Authorities under Article 56 of this Regulation on joint positions and common acts.
6. The Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group shall adopt its rules of procedure by a majority of two-thirds of its members.
7. The Authority shall make public the opinions and advice of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, the separate advice of its Members, and the results of its consultations as well as how advice and results of consultations have been taken into account."
(23a) Article 38(1) is replaced by the following:
“1. The Authority shall ensure that no decision adopted pursuant to Article 18, 19 or 20 impinges in any way on the fiscal responsibilities of Member States.”
(24) Article 39 is replaced by the following:
"Article 39Decision making procedure
1. The Authority shall act in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 6 when adopting decisions pursuant to Articles 17, 18 and 19.
2. The Authority shall inform any addressee of a decision of its intention to adopt the decision, in the official language of the addressee, setting a time limit within which the addressee may express its views on the subject-matter of the decision, taking full account of the urgency, complexity and potential consequences of the matter. The addressee may express its views in its official language. The provision laid down in the first sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis to recommendations as referred to in Article 17(3).
3. The decisions of the Authority shall state the reasons on which they are based.
4. The addressees of decisions of the Authority shall be informed of the legal remedies available under this Regulation.
5. Where the Authority has taken a decision pursuant to Article 18(3) or Article 18(4), it shall review that decision at appropriate intervals.
6. The adoption of the decisions which the Authority takes pursuant to Articles ▌18 or 19 shall be made public. The adoption of decisions that the Authority takes pursuant to Article 17 may be made public. The publication shall disclose the identity of the competent authority or financial market participant concerned and the main content of the decision, unless such publication is in conflict with the legitimate interest of financial market participants or with the protection of their business secrets or could seriously jeopardise the orderly functioning and integrity of financial markets or the stability of the whole or part of the financial system of the Union.";
(25) Article 40 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is amended as follows:
(i) the following points (aa) and (ab) are inserted:
"(aa) the full time members of the Executive Board referred to Article 45(1), who shall be non-voting;";
(ab) the head of the Member State’s administration in charge of negotiating and adopting the acts referred to in Article 1(2) for the purpose of acting within the scope of Articles 10 to 15";
(ia) point (b) is replaced by the following:
“(b) the head of the national public authority competent for the supervision of financial markets participants in each Member State for the purpose of acting within the scope of any competence except those laid down in Articles 10 to 15, who shall meet in person at least twice a year;”
(ib) point (d) is replaced by the following:
“(d) one representative of the ESRB, who shall be non-voting and who shall refrain from taking positions induced by the conduct of monetary policies;
(aa) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Each ▌authority shall be responsible for nominating a high-level alternate from its authority, who may replace the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in paragraphs 1(ab) and 1(b), where that person is prevented from attending.”
(ab) the following paragraph is inserted:
“4a. For the purpose of actions to be taken within the scope of Articles 10 to 15, one representative of the Commission shall be a non-voting member of the Board of Supervisors, and one representative of the European Parliament shall be observer and one representative of each Member State’s administrations may be observer on the Board of Supervisors.”
(b) paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:
“6. The Board of Supervisors may invite observers.”
(c) the following paragraph 7 is added:
"7. Where the national public authority referred to in paragraph 1(b) is not responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection rules, the member of the Board of Supervisors referred to in that point may decide to invite a representative from the Member State’s consumer protection authority, who shall be non-voting. In the case where the responsibility for consumer protection is shared by several authorities in a Member State, those authorities shall agree on a common representative.";
(26) Article 41 is replaced by the following:
"Article 41Internal committees
(27) "The Board of Supervisors may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it. The Board of Supervisors may provide for the delegation of certain clearly defined tasks and decisions to internal committees, to the Executive Board or to the Chairperson."
(28) ▌Article 42▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 42Independence
of the Board of Supervisors
When carrying out the tasks conferred upon them by this Regulation, the Chairperson and the ▌members of the Board of Supervisors, as well as the voting CCP specific and permanent members of the CCP Supervisory Committee, shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌ or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Board of Supervisors in the performance of their tasks.
When the degree of independence referred to in point (a) of Article 30(2) has been assessed to be insufficient in accordance with that Article, the Board of Supervisors may decide either to temporarily suspend the voting rights of the individual member or to temporarily suspend his or her membership of the Authority until the deficiency has been remedied.";
(29) Article 43 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"The Board of Supervisors shall give guidance to the work of the Authority and be the main decision making body for strategic decisions and major policy decisions.
It shall adopt ▌recommendations, guidelines, opinions and decisions of the Authority, and issue the advice referred to in Chapter II, except for those tasks and powers for which the CCP Supervisory Committee is responsible pursuant to Article 44a.";
(b) paragraphs 2 and 3 are deleted;
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌ is replaced by the following:
"The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, before 30 September of each year, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the work programme of the Authority for the coming year, and shall transmit it for information to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.
The Authority shall set out its priorities with regard to reviews identifying, where appropriate, competent authorities and activities subject to reviews in accordance with Article 30. If duly justified, the Authority may identify additional competent authorities to review.
The work programme shall be adopted without prejudice to the annual budgetary procedure and shall be made public.";
(d) Paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt, on the basis of a proposal by the Executive Board, the annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the performance of the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in Article 47(9f) and shall transmit that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Auditors and the European Economic and Social Committee by 15 June each year. The report shall be made public.";
(e) paragraph 8 is deleted.
(29a) the following Article 43a is inserted:
"Article 43a
Transparency of decisions adopted by the Board of Supervisors
Notwithstanding Article 70, within at most six weeks from the date of a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the Authority shall, at the minimum, provide the European Parliament with a comprehensive and meaningful record of the proceedings of that meeting of the Board of Supervisors that enables a full understanding of the discussions, including an annotated list of decisions. "(30) Article 44 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Decisions of the Board of Supervisors shall be taken by a simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
With regard to the decisions on the development and adoption of acts, drafts and instruments specified in Articles 10 to 16 and measures and decisions adopted under the third subparagraph of Article 9(5) and Chapter VI and by way of derogation from the first subparagraph of this paragraph, the Board of Supervisors shall take decisions on the basis of a qualified majority of its members, as defined in Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union and in Article 3 of the Protocol (No 36) on transitional provisions. The full time members of the Executive Board and the Chairperson shall not vote on those decisions.
(aa) paragraph 1a is inserted:
1a. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35h pursuant to Article 47(3) by a simple majority of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the decisions prepared by the Executive Board for the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35h, it may amend these decisions. The Board of Supervisors shall be competent to adopt these amended decisions by a majority of three quarters of its members.
In the event that the Board of Supervisors does not adopt the amended decisions referred to in the second subparagraph as soon as possible and within a period of four months at the latest, the Executive Board shall take the decision.";
(b) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Board of Supervisors shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure. The rules of procedure shall set out in detail the arrangements governing voting.”
(c) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The non-voting members and the observers shall not participate in any discussions within the Board of Supervisors relating to individual financial institutions, unless otherwise provided for in Article 75(3) or in the acts referred to in Article 1(2).";
The first subparagraph shall not apply to the Chairperson, the members that are also members of the Executive Board ▌";
(30a) Article 44a is inserted as follows:
“Article 44a
ESMA CCP Supervisory Committee
ESMA shall establish a permanent internal committee pursuant to Article 41 for the purposes of preparing decisions and carrying out the tasks relating to the supervision of Union and third country CCPs (CCP Supervisory Committee).”
(31) in Chapter III, the title of Section 2 is replaced by the following:
"Executive Board";
(32) Article 45 is replaced by the following:
"Article 45Composition
1. The Executive Board shall be composed of the Chairperson and four full time members, which shall be nationals of a Member State. The Chairperson shall assign clearly defined policy and managerial tasks to each of the full time members, in particular responsibilities for budgetary matters and for matters relating to the work programme of the Authority, and for convergence matters . One of the full time members shall act as a Vice Chairperson and carry out the tasks of the Chairperson in his or her absence or reasonable impediment, in accordance with this Regulation. ▐
2. The full time members shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge and practical experience of financial market participants and markets, particularly in securities and markets, including consumer interests and experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation. The full time members shall have extensive management experience. At least one of the full time members should during the one year prior to being appointed not have been employed by a national competent authority. The selection shall be based on an open call for candidates, to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, following which the Commission shall draw up a shortlist of qualified candidates, while consulting the Board of Supervisors.
The Commission shall submit the shortlist to the European Parliament for approval. Following the approval of that shortlist, the Council shall adopt a decision to appoint the full time members of the Executive Board ▌. The composition of the Executive Board shall be balanced and proportionate and shall reflect the Union as a whole.
3. Where a full time member of the Executive Board no longer fulfil the conditions set out in Article 46 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on their own initiative or on a proposal from the Commission which has been approved by the European Parliament, adopt a decision to remove him or her from office.
4. The term of office of the full time members shall be 5 years and shall be renewable once. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 5-year term of office of the full time member, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way in which they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
Taking into account the evaluation, the Commission shall submit the list of the full time members to be renewed to the Council. Based on this list and taking into account the evaluation, the Council may extend the term of office of the full time members.";
(33) the following Article 45a is inserted:
"Article 45aDecision-making
1. Decisions by the Executive Board shall be adopted by simple majority of its members. Each member shall have one vote. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote. If requested by the Chairperson or at least by three members of the Executive Board, the decisions shall be referred to the Board of Supervisors.
2. The representative of the Commission shall participate in meetings of the Executive Board without the right to vote save in respect of matters referred to in Article 63.
3.The Executive Board shall adopt and make public its rules of procedure.
4. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be convened by the Chairperson at his own initiative or at the request of one of its members, and shall be chaired by the Chairperson.
The Executive Board shall meet prior to every meeting of the Board of Supervisors and as often as the Executive Board deems necessary. It shall report regularly to the Board of Supervisors and meet at least eleven times a year.
5. ▌The non-voting participants shall not attend any discussions within the Executive Board relating to individual financial market participants.
5a. The Board of Supervisors shall be entitled to send specific requests for information to the Executive Board.";
(34) the following Article 45b is inserted:
"Article 45bInternal committees
The Executive Board may establish internal committees for specific tasks attributed to it.";
(35) Article 46 is replaced by the following:
"Article 46Independence
of the Executive Board
The members of the Executive Board shall act independently and objectively in the sole interest of the Union as a whole and shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▌or from any other public or private body.
Members of the Executive Board shall not hold any office at national, Union, or international level.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the members of the Executive Board in the performance of their tasks.";
(36) Article 47 is replaced by the following:
"Article 47Tasks
1. The Executive Board shall ensure that the Authority carries out its mission and performs the tasks assigned to it in accordance with this Regulation. It shall take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The Executive Board shall propose, for adoption by the Board of Supervisors, an annual and multi-annual work programme, which includes a part on CCP matters.
3. The Executive Board shall exercise its budgetary powers in accordance with Articles 63 and 64.
For the purposes of Articles 17, 19, 22(4) and 30, ▌the Executive Board shall be competent to act and to take decisions, except with regard to CCP matters for which the CCP Supervisory Committee shall be competent. For the purposes of Articles 22(1), 22(2), 22(3), 22(5), 29a, 31a, 32 and 35b to 35da,, the Executive Board shall be competent to prepare decisions which shall be subject to the decision-making procedure laid down in paragraph 1a of Article 44. The Executive Board shall keep the Board of Supervisors informed of all decisions it prepares and takes.
3a. The Executive Board shall examine and give an opinion ▌on all matters to be decided by the Board of Supervisors.
4. The Executive Board shall examine and prepare decisions for adoption by the Board of Supervisors on all matters where acts referred to in Article 1(2) have conferred functions of authorisation or supervision and corresponding powers upon the Authority.4. The Executive Board shall adopt the Authority’s staff policy plan and, pursuant to Article 68(2), the necessary implementing measures of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities ('the Staff Regulations’).
5. The Executive Board shall adopt the special provisions on right of access to the documents of the Authority, in accordance with Article 72.
6. The Executive Board shall propose an annual report on the activities of the Authority, including on the Chairperson’s duties, on the basis of the draft report referred to in Article paragraph 9(f) to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
7. The Executive Board shall appoint and remove the members of the Board of Appeal in accordance with Article 58(3) and (5), taking duly into account a proposal by the Board of Supervisors.
8. The members of the Executive Board shall make public all meetings held and hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations. .
9. The Member in charges shall have the following tasks:
(a) to implement the annual work programme of the Authority under the guidance of the Board of Supervisors, and of the CCP Supervisory Committee and under the control of the Executive Board;
(b) to take all necessary measures, notably the adoption of internal administrative instructions and the publication of notices, to ensure the functioning of the Authority, in accordance with this Regulation;
(c) to prepare a multi-annual work programme, as referred to in paragraph 2;
(d) to prepare a work programme by 30 June of each year for the following year, as referred to in Article 47(2);
(e) to draw up a preliminary draft budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 63 and implement the budget of the Authority pursuant to Article 64;
(f) to prepare an annual draft report to include a section on the regulatory and supervisory activities of the Authority and a section on financial and administrative matters;
(g) to exercise in respect to the Authority’s staff the powers laid down in Article 68 and to manage staff matters.
However, in respect of the part on CCP matters, as referred to in paragraph 2, the CCP Supervisory Committee shall carry out the tasks referred to in points (c) and (d) of the first subparagraph.
In respect of the annual draft report referred to in point (f) of the first subparagraph, the CCP Supervisory Committee shall carry out the tasks referred to therein with regard to CCP matters.";
(37) The title of Section III of Chapter III is replaced by the following:
"Chairperson▐";
(38) Article 48 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, the second sub-paragraph is replaced by the following:
"The Chairperson shall be a national of a Member State and shall be responsible for preparing the work of and chairing the meetings of the Board of Supervisors and the Executive Board.";
(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. For the purpose of selection of the Chairperson, the Commission shall establish a Selection Committee composed of six high level independent individuals. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall each appoint two members of the Selection Committee. The Selection Committee shall appoint its Chair from among its members. The Selection Committee shall decide by a simple majority on the publication of the vacancy notice, the selection criteria and the specific job profile, the composition of the pool of applicants as well as on the method by which the pool of applicants is screened in order to draw up a gender-balanced shortlist of at least two candidates. In the event of a tie, the Chair of the Selection Committee shall have a casting vote.
The Chairperson shall be selected on the basis of merit, skills, knowledge of financial market participants and markets, particularly in securities and markets , following an open call for candidates to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Chairperson shall have a significant number of years of recognised experience relevant to financial supervision and regulation and also of senior management experience, be able to demonstrate leadership skills and high standards of efficiency, ability and integrity, and have proven knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union.
The Selection Committee shall submit the shortlist of candidates for the position of the Chairperson to the European Parliament and the Council. The European Parliament may invite the selected candidates to in camera or public hearings, submit written questions to the candidates, object to the designation of a candidate and recommend its preferred candidate. The European Parliament and the Council shall adopt a joint decision to appoint the Chairperson from the shortlist of candidates.
2a. Where the Chairperson no longer fulfils the conditions required for the performance of his duties including those referred to in Article 49 or has been found guilty of serious misconduct, the European Parliament and the Council may, on a proposal from the Commission or on their own initiative, adopt a joint decision to remove him or her from office. When drafting its proposal, the European Commission shall consult with national competent authorities.";
(ba) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. The Chairperson’s term of office shall be eight years and shall not be renewable.”
(c) ▌paragraph 4 ▌ is replaced by the following:
"4. In the course of the 9 months preceding the end of the 8-year term of office of the Chairperson, the Board of Supervisors shall evaluate:
(a) the results achieved in the first term of office and the way they were achieved;
(b) the Authority’s duties and requirements in the coming years.
For the purpose of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a temporary alternate Chair from among its members.";
(d) paragraph 5 is deleted;
(38a) Article 49 is replaced by the following:
“Article 49
Independence of the Chairperson
Without prejudice to the role of the Board of Supervisors in relation to the tasks of the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall neither seek nor take instructions from the Union institutions or bodies, from any government ▐ or from any other public or private body.
Neither Member States, the Union institutions or bodies, nor any other public or private body shall seek to influence the Chairperson in the performance of his tasks.
In accordance with the Staff Regulations referred to in Article 68, the Chairperson shall, after leaving service, continue to be bound by the duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance of certain appointments or benefits.”
(39) the following Article 49a is inserted:
"Article 49aExpenses
The Chairperson shall make public all meetings held with external stakeholders within a period of two weeks following the meeting and any hospitality received. Expenses shall be recorded publicly in accordance with the Staff Regulations.";
(40) Articles 50, 51, 52 and 53 are deleted;
(41) Article 54 is amended as follows:
(a) ▌paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely to ensure cross-sectoral consistency, while taking full account of sectoral specificities, with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority), in particular, where required by Union law, regarding:
– financial conglomerates and cross-border consolidation,
– accounting and auditing,
– micro-prudential analyses of cross-sectoral developments, risks and vulnerabilities for financial stability,
– retail investment products,
– cybersecurity,
– information and best practice exchange with the ESRB and ▌the ESAs,
– retail financial services and consumer and investor protection issues;
the application of the principle of proportionality." ;
▌
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. The Joint Committee shall serve as a forum in which the Authority shall cooperate regularly and closely with the European Banking Authority and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority on matters relating to the interaction between the tasks of the Authority and of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the specific tasks referred to in point (l) of Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 conferred on the European Banking Authority.";
(42) ▌Article 55 ▌is replaced by the following:
"Article 55
Composition
1. The Joint Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the ESAs ▌.
2. One member of the Executive Board, a representative of the Commission and the second chair of ESRB and, where relevant, the Chairperson of any Sub-Committee of the Joint Committee shall be invited to the meetings of the Joint Committee, as well as where relevant of any Sub-Committees referred to in Article 57, as observers.
3. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be appointed on an annual rotational basis from among the Chairpersons of the ESAs. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee shall be the second Vice-Chair of the ESRB.
4. The Joint Committee shall adopt and publish its own rules of procedure. The Joint Committee may invite observers. The Joint Committee shall reach joint positions by consensus. The rules may specify further participants in the meetings of the Joint Committee.
The Joint Committee shall meet at least once every three months.
4a. The Chairperson of the Authority shall regularly consult and inform the Board of Supervisors on any position taken in the meetings of the Joint Committee and its sub-committees.";
(42a) Article 56 is replaced by the following:
“Article 56
Joint positions and common acts
Within the scope of its tasks in Chapter II, and, in particular with respect to the implementation of Directive 2002/87/EC, where relevant, the Authority shall seek to reach joint positions with the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) and with the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority), as appropriate.
Where required by Union law, acts pursuant to Articles 10 to ▐ 19 of this Regulation in relation to the application of Directive 2002/87/EC and of any other Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) that also fall within the area of competence of the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) or the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) shall be adopted, in parallel, by the Authority, the European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority) and the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority), as appropriate.
Where the decision of the Authority deviates from the joint position referred to in paragraph 1, or where no decision could be taken, the Authority shall without delay inform the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its reasons.”
(42b) Article 57 is replaced by the following:
“Article 57
Sub-Committees
1. The Joint Committee may establish sub-committees for the purposes of preparing draft joint positions and common acts to the Joint Committee.
2. The Sub-Committee shall be composed of Chairpersons of the ESAs, and one high-level representative from the current staff of the relevant competent authority from each Member State.
3. The Sub-Committee shall elect a Chairperson from among representatives of the relevant competent authorities, who shall also be an observer in the Joint Committee.
3a. For the purposes of Article 56, a Sub-Committee on financial conglomerates to the Joint Committee shall be established.
4. The Joint Committee shall make public on its website all established Sub-Committees including their mandates and a list of their members with their respective functions in the Sub-Committee.”
(43) Article 58 is amended as follows:
(-a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. The Board of Appeal of the European Supervisory Authorities is hereby established.”
(-aa) in paragraph 2, subparagraph 1 is replaced by the following:
2. The Board of Appeal shall be composed of six members and six alternates, who shall be individuals of a high repute with a proven record of relevant knowledge of Union law and of having international professional experience, to a sufficiently high level in the fields of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities markets or other financial services, excluding current staff of the competent authorities or other national or Union institutions involved in the activities of the Authority and members of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group. Members shall be nationals of a Member State and shall have a thorough knowledge of at least two official languages of the Union. The Board of Appeal shall have sufficient legal expertise to provide expert legal advice on the legality and proportionality of the Authority’s exercise of its powers.”
(a) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
"3. Two members of the Board of Appeal and two alternates shall be appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority from a short-list proposed by the Commission, following a public call for expressions of interest published in the Official Journal of the European Union, and after consultation of the Board of Supervisors.
After having received the shortlist, the European Parliament may invite candidates for members and alternates to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members before they are appointed.
The European Parliament may invite the members of the Board of Appeal to make a statement before it and answer any questions put by its Members whenever so requested.";
(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
"5. A member of the Board of Appeal appointed by the Executive Board of the Authority shall not be removed during his term of office, unless he has been found guilty of serious misconduct and the Executive Board takes a decision to that effect after consulting the Board of Supervisors.";
(ba) paragraph 8 is replaced by the following:
“8. The ESAs shall ensure adequate operational and permanent secretarial support for the Board of Appeal through the Joint Committee.”
(44) in Article 59, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. The members of the Board of Appeal shall be independent in making their decisions. They shall not be bound by any instructions. They shall not perform any other duties in relation to the Authority, its Executive Board or its Board of Supervisors.
2. Members of the Board of Appeal and staff of the Authority providing operational and secretariat support shall not take part in any appeal proceedings in which they have any personal interest, if they have previously been involved as representatives of one of the parties to the proceedings, or if they have participated in the decision under appeal.";
(45) in Article 60, paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:
"1. Any natural or legal person, including competent authorities, may appeal against a decision of the Authority referred to in Articles 16, 16a, 17, 18, 19, and 35 including regarding its proportionality and any other decision taken by the Authority in accordance with the Union acts referred to in Article 1(2) which is addressed to that person, or against a decision which, although in the form of a decision addressed to another person, is of direct and individual concern to that person.
2. The appeal, together with a statement of grounds, shall be filed in writing at the Authority within three months of the date of notification of the decision to the person concerned, or, in the absence of a notification, of the day on which the Authority published its decision.
The Board of Appeal shall decide upon the appeal within 3 months after the appeal has been lodged."
(46) Article 62 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. The revenues of the Authority shall consist, without prejudice to other types of revenue, of any combination of the following:
(a) a balancing contribution from the Union, entered in the General Budget of the Union (Commission section) which shall be at least 35% of the estimated revenues of the Authority;
(aa) obligatory contributions of up to 65% of the estimated revenues of the Authority from the national public authorities competent for the supervision of financial institutions;
(b) depending on the evolution of the scope of institution-specific supervision, annual contributions from financial institutions, based on the annual estimated expenditure relating to the activities required by this Regulation and by the Union Acts referred to in Article 1(2) for each category of participants within the remit of the Authority;
(c) any fees paid to the Authority in the cases specified in the relevant instruments of Union law.
(d) contributions from Member States or observers;
(e) charges for publications, training and for any other services requested by competent authorities."
1a. The revenues received by the Authority shall not compromise its independence or objectivity.;
(aa) in paragraph 4, the following subparagraph is added:
“Estimates shall be based on the objectives and the expected results of the annual work programme referred to in Article 47(2) and shall take into account the financial resources necessary to achieve those objectives and expected results.”
(b) the following paragraph is added:
▐
5. Voluntary contributions from Members States and observers as referred to in point (d) of paragraph 1 shall not be accepted if such acceptance would cast doubt on the independence and impartiality of the Authority.";
▐
(47a) the following Article 62b is inserted:
“Article 62b
Supervisory fees for CCPs
1. The Authority shall charge, in accordance with this Regulation and in accordance with the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 3, the following fees:
(a) fees associated with applications for authorisation referred to in Article 17 or with applications for recognition pursuant to Article 25, and
(b) annual fees associated with the Authority’s tasks in accordance with this Regulation.
2. The fees referred to in paragraph 1 shall be proportionate to the turnover of the CCP concerned and shall fully cover the Authority’s necessary expenditure relating to either the authorisation or recognition of the CCP, as applicable, and to the performance of its tasks in accordance with this Regulation.
3. The Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 82 in order to further specify the following:
(a) the types of fees;
(b) the matters for which fees are due;
(c) the amount of the fees;
(d) the manner in which fees are to be paid by the following entities:
(i) CCPs established in the Union which are authorised or applying for authorisation;
(ii) CCPs established in a third country which are recognised in accordance with Article 25(2) of Regulation 648/2012;”
(48) Article 63 is replaced by the following:
"Article 63Establishment of the Budget
1. Each year, the Member in charge shall draw up a provisional draft single programming document of the Authority for the three following financial years setting out the estimated revenue and expenditure, as well as information on staff, from its annual and multi-annual programming and shall forward it to the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors, together with the establishment plan.
the Authority’s expenditure and fees relating to the tasks and powers referred to in Article 44b (1) shall be separately identifiable within the statement of estimates referred to in the first subparagraph. Prior to the adoption of that statement of estimates, the draft prepared by the Member in charge relating to such expenditure and fees shall be approved by the CCP Supervisory Committee.
The annual accounts of ESMA drawn up and published in accordance with Article 64(6) shall include the income and expenses related to the tasks referred to in Article 44b(1).
1a. The Chairperson shall present the draft single programming document to the European Parliament and the Council, after which the Board of Supervisors shall, on the basis of the draft which has been approved by the Executive Board▌ and by the CCP Supervisory Committee for expenditures and fees relating to tasks and powers referred to in Article 44b(1), adopt the draft single programming document for the three following financial years..
1b. The ▌single programming document shall be transmitted by the Executive Board to the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council and the European Court of Auditors by 31 January. Without prejudice to the adoption of the annual budget, the European Parliament shall approve the single programming document.
2. Taking account of the ▌single programming document, the Commission shall enter in the draft budget of the Union the estimates it deems necessary in respect of the establishment plan and the amount of the balancing contribution to be charged to the general budget of the Union in accordance with Articles 313 and 314 of the Treaty.
3. The budgetary authority shall adopt the establishment plan for the Authority. The budgetary authority shall authorise the appropriations for the balancing contribution to the Authority and approve the limit for the total expenditures of the Authority.
4. The budget of the Authority shall be adopted by the Board of Supervisors. It shall become final after the final adoption of the general budget of the Union. Where necessary, it shall be adjusted accordingly.
5. The Executive Board shall, without delay, notify the budgetary authority of its intention to implement any project which may have significant financial implications for the funding of its budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings.
5a. The budgetary authority shall authorise any project which may have significant financial or long term implications for the funding of the Authority’s budget, in particular any project relating to property, such as the rental or purchase of buildings, including break clauses.";
(49) Article 64 is replaced by the following:
"Article 64Implementation and control of the budget
"1. The Member in charge shall act as authorising officer and shall implement the Authority’s annual budget.
2. The Authority’s accounting officer, who shall be independent, shall send the provisional accounts to the Commission’s accounting officer and to the Court of Auditors by 1 March of the following year. Article 70 shall not preclude the Authority from providing to the European Court of Auditors any information requested by the Court that is within the Court’s competence.
3. The Authority's accounting officer shall send by 1 March of the following year the required accounting information for consolidation purposes to the accounting officer of the Commission, in the manner and format laid down by that accounting officer.
4. The Authority’s accounting officer shall send the report on budgetary and financial management to the members of the Board of Supervisors, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors by 31 March of the following year.
5. After taking account of the observations of the Court of Auditors on the provisional accounts of the Authority in accordance with Article 148 of the Financial Regulation, the Authority's accounting officer, acting on its own responsibility, shall draw up the Authority's final accounts. The Member in charge shall send them to the Board of Supervisors, which shall deliver an opinion on these accounts.
6. The Authority's accounting officer shall send the final accounts, accompanied by the opinion of the Board of Supervisors, by 1 July of the following year, to the accounting officer of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council and the Court of Auditors.
The Authority's accounting officer shall also send by 1 July a reporting package to the Commission's accounting officer, in a standardised format as laid down by the Commission's accounting officer for consolidation purposes.
7. The final accounts shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by 15 November of the following year.
8. The Member in charge shall send the Court of Auditors a reply to the latter’s observations by 30 September. He shall also send a copy of that reply to the Executive Board and the Commission.
9. The Member in charge shall submit to the European Parliament, at the latter’s request and as provided for in Article 165(3) of the Financial Regulation, any information necessary for the smooth application of the discharge procedure for the financial year in question.
10. The European Parliament, following a recommendation from the Council acting by qualified majority, shall, before 15 May of the year N + 2, grant a discharge to the Authority for the implementation of the budget for the financial year N.
10a. The Authority shall provide a reasoned opinion on the position of the European Parliament and on any other observations made by the European Parliament provided in the discharge procedure.";
(49a) the following Article 64a is inserted:
“Article 64aInternal Audit of the Authority
The Authority shall establish an Internal Audit Committee which shall provide an opinion to the European Parliament and the Council on the discharge of that part of the budget which is not financed by the Union budget.”
(50) Article 65 is replaced by the following:
"Article 65Financial Rules
The financial rules applicable to the Authority shall be adopted by the Executive Board after consulting the Commission. Those rules may not depart from Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013* for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 unless the specific operational needs for the functioning of the Authority so require and only with the prior agreement of the Commission.
*Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( OJ L 328, 7.12.2013, p. 42).";
(51) in Article 66, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. For the purposes of combating fraud, corruption and any other illegal activity, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council* shall apply to the Authority without any restriction.
*Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).";
(52) Article 68 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraphs 1 and 2 is replaced by the following:
"1. The Staff Regulations, the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants and the rules adopted jointly by the Union institutions for the purpose of applying them shall apply to the staff of the Authority, including the full time members of the Executive Board, the Chairperson, the Head of the CCP Supervisory Committee and the Directors referred to in point (i) of Article 44a(1)(a).
2. The Executive Board, in agreement with the Commission, shall adopt the necessary implementing measures, in accordance with the arrangements provided for in Article 110 of the Staff Regulations.";
(b) paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. The Executive Board shall adopt provisions to allow national experts from Member States to be seconded to the Authority.";
(53) Article 70 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
"1. Members of the Board of Supervisors and all members of the staff of the Authority including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis shall be subject to the requirements of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 339 TFEU and the relevant provisions in Union legislation, even after their duties have ceased.
Article 16 of the Staff Regulations shall apply to all members of staff of the Authority, including officials seconded by Member States on a temporary basis and all other persons carrying out tasks for the Authority on a contractual basis.";
(b) in paragraph 2, the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:
"The obligation under paragraph 1 and the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall not prevent the Authority and the competent authorities from using the information for the enforcement of the acts referred to in Article 1(2), and in particular for legal procedures for the adoption of decisions.";
(c) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
"2a. The Executive Board, the CCP Supervisory Committee and the Board of Supervisors shall ensure that individuals who provide any service, directly or indirectly, permanently or occasionally, relating to the tasks of the Authority, including officials and other persons authorised by the Executive Board and the Board of Supervisors or appointed by the competent authorities for that purpose, are subject to the requirements of professional secrecy equivalent to those in the previous paragraphs.
The same requirements for professional secrecy shall also apply to observers who attend the meetings of the Executive Board, the CCP Supervisory Committee and the Board of Supervisors who take part in the activities of the Authority.";
(d) ▌paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:
"3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not prevent the Authority from exchanging information with competent authorities in accordance with this Regulation and other Union legislation applicable to financial institutions.
Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to any person who reports or discloses information on a threat or harm to the public interest in the context of their work-based relationship.
The information referred to in paragraph 2 shall be subject to the conditions of professional secrecy referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. The Authority shall lay down in its internal rules of procedure the practical arrangements for implementing the confidentiality rules referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
4. The Authority shall apply Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444.
4a. The Authority shall have in place dedicated reporting channels for receiving and handling information provided by a reporting person on actual or potential breaches of Union acts or abuse of law or cases of maladministration.";
(54) Article 71 is replaced by the following:
"This Regulation shall be without prejudice to the obligations of Member States relating to their processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 or the obligations of the Authority relating to its processing of personal data under Regulation (EU) No 2018/XXX (Data Protection Regulation for EU institutions and Bodies) when fulfilling its responsibilities.";
(55) in Article 72, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall adopt practical measures for applying Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001."
(56) in Article 73, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
"2. The Executive Board shall decide on the internal language arrangements for the Authority.";
(57) in Article 74, the first paragraph is replaced by the following:
"The necessary arrangements concerning the accommodation to be provided for the Authority in the Member State where its seat is located and the facilities to be made available by that Member State, as well as the specific rules applicable in that Member State to the staff of the Authority and members of their families shall be laid down in a Headquarters Agreement between the Authority and that Member State concluded after obtaining the approval of the Executive Board.";
(57a) in Article 75, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:
“2. The Authority shall cooperate with the countries referred to in paragraph 1, applying legislation which has been recognised as equivalent in the areas of competence of the Authority referred to in Article 1(2), as provided for in international agreements concluded by the Union in accordance with Article 218 TFEU.
3. Under the relevant provisions of the agreements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, arrangements shall be made specifying, in particular, the nature, scope and procedural aspects of the involvement of the countries referred to in paragraph 1, in particular in relation to countries that are members of the European Economic Area, in the work of the Authority, including provisions relating to financial contributions and to staff. They may provide for representation, as an observer, in the governance of the Authority, but shall ensure that those countries do not attend any discussions relating to individual financial institutions, except where there is a direct interest.”
(58) the following Article 75a is inserted:
"Article 75aExercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
▌
3. The delegation of power referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 35d(2) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making of 13 April 2016.
5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 35d(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of three months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by three months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.";
(59) Article 76 is replaced by the following:
"Article 76Relationship with the CESR
The Authority shall be considered the legal successor of CESR. By the date of establishment of the Authority, all assets and liabilities and all pending operations of CESR shall be automatically transferred to the Authority. The CESR shall establish a statement showing its closing assets and liability situation as of the date of that transfer. That statement shall be audited and approved by CESR and by the Commission."
(60) new Article 77a is inserted:
Article 77aTransitional provisions
The tasks and position of the Executive Director appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.
The tasks and position of the Chairperson appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall continue until its expiry.
The tasks and position of the members of the Management Board appointed in accordance with this Regulation as last amended by Directive 2014/51/EU and in office on [PO: please insert date 3 months after the entry into force of this Regulation] shall cease on that date.".
(60a) Article 79 is deleted.
(60b) Article 80 is deleted.
(60c) Article 81 is replaced by the following:
“Article 81
Review
1. By ... [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission shall publish a general report on the experience acquired as a result of the operation of the Authority and the procedures laid down in this Regulation. That report shall evaluate, inter alia:
(a) the effectiveness and convergence in supervisory practices reached by competent authorities:
(i) the ▐ independence of the competent authorities and convergence in standards equivalent to corporate governance;
(ii) the impartiality, objectivity and autonomy of the Authority;
(b) the functioning of the colleges of supervisors;
(c) the progress achieved towards convergence in the fields of crisis prevention, management and resolution, including Union funding mechanisms;
(d) the role of the Authority as regards systemic risk;
(e) the application of the safeguard clause established in Article 38;
(f) the application of the binding mediation role established in Article 19;
(fa) the functioning of the decision-making of the Joint Committee.
2. The report referred to in paragraph 1 shall also examine whether:
(a) it is appropriate to continue separate supervision of banking, insurance, occupational pensions, securities and financial markets;
(b) it is appropriate to undertake prudential supervision and supervise the conduct of business separately or by the same supervisor;
(c) it is appropriate to simplify and reinforce the architecture of the ESFS in order to increase the coherence between the macro and the micro levels and between the ESAs;
(d) the evolution of the ESFS is consistent with that of the global evolution;
(e) there is sufficient diversity and excellence within the ESFS;
(f) accountability and transparency in relation to publication requirements are adequate;
(g) the resources of the Authority are adequate to carry out its responsibilities;
(h) it is appropriate for the seat of the Authority to be maintained or to move the ESAs to a single seat to enhance better coordination between them.
2a. As part of the general report referred to in paragraph 1 the Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the implementation, functioning and effectiveness of the issuance of no-action letters pursuant to Article 9a of this Regulation.
2b. As part of the general report referred to in paragraph 1 of the Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the potential supervision of third-county trading venues by ESMA exploring aspects such as recognition based on systemic importance, organisational requirements, ongoing compliance, fines and periodic penalty payments as well as staff and resources. In its assessment, the Commission shall take into account the effects on liquidity, including the availability of best price for investors, best execution for EU clients, access barriers and economic benefits for EU counterparties to trade globally as well as the development of the Capital Markets Union.
2c. As part of the general report referred to in paragraph 1 of the Commission shall, after consulting all relevant authorities and stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive assessment on the potential supervision of third-county CSDs by ESMA exploring aspects such as recognition based on systemic importance, organisational requirements, ongoing compliance, fines and periodic penalty payments as well as staff and resources.
2d. The Commission shall submit the assessments referred to in paragraphs 2a, 2b and 2c, together with legislative proposals, if appropriate, to the European Parliament and the Council by [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation].
3. Concerning the issue of direct supervision of institutions or infrastructures of pan-European reach and taking account of market developments, the stability of the internal market and the cohesion of the Union as a whole, the Commission shall draw up an annual report on the appropriateness of entrusting the Authority with further supervisory responsibilities in this area.
4. The report and any accompanying proposals, as appropriate, shall be forwarded to the European Parliament and to the Council.”
▐
Article 6Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments
Regulation (EU) No 600/2104 is amended as follows:
(25) Article 1 is amended as follows:
(a) in paragraph 1, the following point (g) is added:
'(g) the authorisation and supervision of data reporting service providers';
(b) in Article 1, the following paragraph 5a is inserted:
‘‘5a. Articles 40 and 42 also apply to in respect of management companies of undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) and UCITS investment companies authorised in accordance with Directive 2009/65/EC and of managers of alternative investment funds (AIFMs) authorized in accordance with Directive 2011/61/EU .";
(26) Article 2(1) is amended as follows:
(a) points (34), (35) and (36) are replaced by the following:
"(34) ‘approved publication arrangement’ or ‘APA’ means a person authorised under this Regulation to provide the service of publishing trade reports on behalf of investment firms pursuant to Articles 20 and 21;
(35) ‘consolidated tape provider’ or ‘CTP’ means a person authorised under this Regulation to provide the service of collecting trade reports for financial instruments listed in Articles 6, 7, 10, 12 and 13, 20 and 21 from regulated markets, MTFs, OTFs and APAs and consolidating them into a continuous electronic live data stream providing price and volume data per financial instrument;
(36) ‘approved reporting mechanism’ or ‘ARM’ means a person authorised under this Regulation to provide the service of reporting details of transactions to competent authorities or to ESMA on behalf of investment firms;";
(b) the following point (36a) is inserted:
'(36a) ‘data reporting service providers’ means the persons referred to in points (34) to (36) and persons referred to in Article 38a27a(2)];';
(27) Article 22 is replaced by the following:
'Article 22Providing information for the purposes of transparency and other calculations
1. In order to carry out calculations for determining the requirements for the pre-trade and post-trade transparency and the trading obligation regimes referred to in Articles 3 to 11, Articles 14 to 21 and Article 32, which are applicable to financial instruments and for determining whether an investment firm is a systematic internaliser, ESMA and competent authorities may require information from:
(a) trading venues;
(b) APAs; and
(c) CTPs.
2. Trading venues, APAs and CTPs shall store the necessary data for a sufficient period of time.
3. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify the content and frequency of data requests and the formats and the timeframe in which trading venues, APAs and CTPs are to respond to data requests referred to in paragraph 1, the type of data that is to be stored, and the minimum period of time for which trading venues, APAs and CTPs are to store data in order to be able to respond to data requests in accordance with paragraph 2.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in this paragraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.';
(28) Article 26 is replaced by the following:
'Article 26Obligation to report transactions
1. Investment firms which execute transactions in financial instruments shall report complete and accurate details of such transactions to the competent authority as quickly as possible, and no later than the close of the following working day.
The competent authorities shall, in accordance with Article 85 of Directive 2014/65/EU, establish the necessary arrangements in order to ensure that the competent authority of the most relevant market in terms of liquidity for those financial instruments also receives that information.
The competent authorities shall without delay make available to ESMA any information reported in accordance with this Article.
2. The obligation laid down in paragraph 1 shall apply to:
(a) financial instruments which are admitted to trading or traded on a trading venue or for which a request for admission to trading has been made;
(b) financial instruments where the underlying is a financial instrument traded on a trading venue; and
(c) financial instruments where the underlying is an index or a basket composed of financial instruments traded on a trading venue
The obligation shall apply to transactions in financial instruments referred to in points (a) to (c) irrespective of whether or not such transactions are carried out on the trading venue.
3. The reports shall, in particular, include details of the names and numbers of the financial instruments bought or sold, the quantity, the dates and times of execution, the transaction prices, a designation to identify the clients on whose behalf the investment firm has executed that transaction, a designation to identify the persons and the computer algorithms within the investment firm responsible for the investment decision and the execution of the transaction, a designation to identify the applicable waiver under which the trade has taken place, means of identifying the investment firms concerned, and a designation to identify a short sale as defined in Article 2(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 236/2012 in respect of any shares and sovereign debt within the scope of Articles 12, 13 and 17 of that Regulation. For transactions not carried out on a trading venue, the reports shall include a designation identifying the types of transactions in accordance with the measures to be adopted pursuant to Article 20(3)(a) and Article 21(5)(a). For commodity derivatives, the reports shall indicate whether the transaction reduces risk in an objectively measurable way in accordance with Article 57 of Directive 2014/65/EU.
4. Investment firms which transmit orders shall include in the transmission of that order all the details as specified in paragraphs 1 and 3. Instead of including the mentioned details when transmitting orders, an investment firm may choose to report the transmitted order, if it is executed, as a transaction in accordance with the requirements under paragraph 1. In that case, the transaction report by the investment firm shall state that it pertains to a transmitted order.
5. The operator of a trading venue shall report details of transactions in financial instruments traded on its platform which are executed through its systems by a firm which is not subject to this Regulation in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3.
6. In reporting the designation to identify the clients as required under paragraphs 3 and 4, investment firms shall use a legal entity identifier established to identify clients that are legal persons.
ESMA shall develop by [PO: Please insert date 24 months after date of entry into force] guidelines in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 to ensure that the application of legal entity identifiers within the Union complies with international standards, in particular those established by the Financial Stability Board.
7. The reports shall be made to the competent authority either by the investment firm itself, an ARM acting on its behalf or by the trading venue through whose system the transaction was completed, in accordance with paragraphs 1, 3 and 9.
Investment firms shall have responsibility for the completeness, accuracy and timely submission of the reports which are submitted to the competent authority.
By way of derogation from that responsibility, where an investment firm reports details of those transactions through an ARM which is acting on its behalf or a trading venue, the investment firm shall not be responsible for failures in the completeness, accuracy or timely submission of the reports which are attributable to the ARM or trading venue. In those cases and subject to Article 66(4) of Directive 2014/65/EU the ARM or trading venue shall be responsible for those failures.
Investment firms must nevertheless take reasonable steps to verify the completeness, accuracy and timeliness of the transaction reports which were submitted on their behalf.
The home Member State shall require the trading venue, when making reports on behalf of the investment firm, to have sound security mechanisms in place designed to guarantee the security and authentication of the means of transfer of information, to minimise the risk of data corruption and unauthorised access and to prevent information leakage maintaining the confidentiality of the data at all times. The home Member State shall require the trading venue to maintain adequate resources and have back-up facilities in place in order to offer and maintain its services at all times.
Trade-matching or reporting systems, including trade repositories registered or recognised in accordance with Title VI of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, may be approved by the competent authority as an ARM in order to transmit transaction reports to the competent authority in accordance with paragraphs 1, 3 and 9.
Where transactions have been reported to a trade repository in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 which is approved as an ARM and where those reports contain the details required under paragraphs 1, 3 and 9 and are transmitted to the competent authority by the trade repository within the time limit set in paragraph 1, the obligation on the investment firm laid down in paragraph 1 shall be considered to have been complied with.
Where there are errors or omissions in the transaction reports, the ARM, investment firm or trading venue reporting the transaction shall correct the information and submit a corrected report to the competent authority.
8. When, in accordance with Article 35(8) of Directive 2014/65/EU, reports provided for under this Article are transmitted to the competent authority, it shall transmit that information to the competent authorities of the home Member State of the investment firm, unless the competent authorities of the home Member State decide that they do not want to receive that information.
9. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify:
(a) data standards and formats for the information to be reported in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3, including the methods and arrangements for reporting financial transactions and the form and content of such reports;
(b) the criteria for defining a relevant market in accordance with paragraph 1;
(c) the references of the financial instruments bought or sold, the quantity, the dates and times of execution, the transaction prices, the information and details of the identity of the client, a designation to identify the clients on whose behalf the investment firm has executed that transaction, a designation to identify the persons and the computer algorithms within the investment firm responsible for the investment decision and the execution of the transaction, a designation to identify the applicable waiver under which the trade has taken place, the means of identifying the investment firms concerned, the way in which the transaction was executed, data fields necessary for the processing and analysis of the transaction reports in accordance with paragraph 3; and
(d) the designation to identify short sales of shares and sovereign debt as referred to in paragraph 3;
(e) the relevant categories of financial instrument to be reported in accordance with paragraph 2;
(f) the conditions upon which legal entity identifiers are developed, attributed and maintained, by Member States in accordance with paragraph 6, and the conditions under which those legal entity identifiers are used by investment firms so as to provide, pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, for the designation to identify the clients in the transaction reports they are required to establish pursuant to paragraph 1;
(g) the application of transaction reporting obligations to branches of investment firms;
(h) what constitutes a transaction and execution of a transaction for the purposes of this Article.
(i) when an investment firm is deemed to have transmitted an order for the purposes of paragraph 4.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
10. By [PO: Please insert date 24 months after date of entry into force], ESMA shall submit a report to the Commission on the functioning of this Article, including its interaction with the related reporting obligations under Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, and whether the content and format of transaction reports received and exchanged between competent authorities comprehensively enables monitoring of the activities of investment firms in accordance with Article 24 of this Regulation. The Commission may take steps to propose any changes in this regard, including providing for transactions to be transmitted only to a single system. The Commission shall forward ESMA’s report to the European Parliament and to the Council.';
(29) Article 27 is replaced by the following:
'Article 27Obligation to supply financial instrument reference data
1. With regard to financial instruments admitted to trading on regulated markets or traded on MTFs or OTFs, trading venues shall provide ESMA with identifying reference data for the purposes of transaction reporting under Article 26.
With regard to other financial instruments covered by Article 26(2) traded on its system, each systematic internaliser shall provide ESMA with reference data relating to those financial instruments.
Identifying reference data shall be made ready for submission to ESMA in an electronic and standardised format before trading commences in the financial instrument that it refers to. The financial instrument reference data shall be updated whenever there are changes to the data with respect to a financial instrument. ESMA shall publish those reference data immediately on its website. ESMA shall give competent authorities access without delay to those reference data.
2. In order to allow competent authorities to monitor, pursuant to Article 26, the activities of investment firms to ensure that they act honestly, fairly and professionally and in a manner which promotes the integrity of the market, ESMA shall, after consultation with the competent authorities, establish the necessary arrangements in order to ensure that:
(a) ESMA effectively receives the financial instrument reference data pursuant to paragraph 1;
(b) the quality of the data so received is appropriate for the purpose of transaction reporting under Article 26;
(c) the financial instrument reference data received pursuant to paragraph 1 is efficiently and without delay transmitted to the relevant competent authorities.
(d) there are effective mechanisms in place between ESMA and the competent authorities to resolve data delivery or data quality issues.
3. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify:
(a) data standards and formats for the financial instrument reference data in accordance with paragraph 1, including the methods and arrangements for supplying the data and any update thereto to ESMA and transmitting it to competent authorities in accordance with paragraph 1, and the form and content of such data;
(b) the technical measures that are necessary in relation to the arrangements to be made by ESMA and the competent authorities pursuant to paragraph 2.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
3a. ESMA may suspend the reporting obligations specified in paragraph 1 for certain or all financial instruments where all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The suspension is necessary in order to preserve the integrity and quality of the reference data subject to reporting obligation as specified in Article 27(1) of MiFIR which may be put at risk by any of the following:
(i) serious incompleteness, inaccuracy or corruption of the submitted data, or
(ii) unavailability in a timely manner, disruption or damage of the functioning of systems used for the submission, collection, procession or storage of the respective reference data by ESMA, national competent authorities, market infrastructures, clearing and settlement systems and important market participants.
(b) The existing Union regulatory requirements under Union law that are applicable do not address the threat.
(c) The suspension does not have any detrimental effect on the efficiency of financial markets or investors that are disproportionate to the benefits of the action.
(d) The suspension does not create any regulatory arbitrage.
When taking the measure referred to in the first subparagraph, ESMA shall take into account the extent to which the measure ensures the accuracy and completeness of the reported data for the purposes specified in paragraph 2.
Before deciding to take the measure referred to in the first subparagraph, ESMA shall notify the relevant competent authorities.
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 50 specifying criteria and factors to be taken into account by ESMA in determining in which cases the measure referred to in the first subparagraph may be adopted and cease to apply.’
(30) the following Title IVa is inserted:
‘TITLE IVa
DATA REPORTING SERVICES
CHAPTER 1
Authorisation of data reporting service providers
Article 27a Requirement for authorisation
1. The operation of an APA, a CTP or an ARM as a regular occupation or business shall be subject to prior authorisation by ESMA in accordance with this Title.
2. An investment firm or a market operator operating a trading venue may also provide the services of an APA, a CTP or an ARM, subject to the prior verification by ESMA that the investment firm or the market operator comply with this Title. The provision of those services shall be included in their authorisation.
3. ESMA shall establish a register of all data reporting services providers in the Union. The register shall be publicly available and shall contain information on the services for which the data reporting services provider is authorised and it shall be updated on a regular basis.
Where ESMA has withdrawn an authorisation in accordance with Article 27d, that withdrawal shall be published in the register for a period of 5 years..
4. Data reporting services providers shall provide their services under the supervision of ESMA. ESMA shall regularly review the compliance of data reporting services providers with this Title. ESMA shall monitor that data reporting services providers comply at all times with the conditions for initial authorisation established under this Title.
Article 27bAuthorisation of data reporting service providers
1. Data reporting service providers shall be authorised by ESMA for the purposes of Title IVa where:
(a) the data service provider is a legal person established in the Union; and
(b) the data service provider meets the requirements laid down in Title IVa.
2. The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 shall specify the data reporting service which the data reporting services provider is authorised to provide. Where an authorised data reporting services provider seeks to extend its business to additional data reporting services, it shall submit a request to ESMA for extension of that authorisation.
3. An authorised data reporting service provider shall comply at all times with the conditions for authorisation referred to in Title IVa. An authorised data reporting service provider shall, without undue delay, notify ESMA of any material changes to the conditions for authorisation.
4. The authorisation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be effective and valid for the entire territory of the Union and shall allow the data reporting service provider to provide the services for which it has been authorised, throughout the Union.
Article 27cProcedures for granting and refusing applications for authorisation
1. The applicant data reporting service provider shall submit an application providing all information necessary to enable ESMA to confirm that the data reporting service provider has established, at the time of initial authorisation, all the necessary arrangements to meet its obligations under the provisions of this Title, including a programme of operations setting out, inter alia, the types of services envisaged and the organisational structure..
2. ESMA shall assess whether the application for authorisation is complete within 20 working days of receipt of the application.
Where the application is not complete, ESMA shall set a deadline by which the data reporting service provider is to provide additional information.
After assessing an application as complete, ESMA shall notify the data reporting service provider accordingly.
3. ESMA shall, within six months from the receipt of a complete application, assess the compliance of the data reporting service provider with this Title and shall adopt a fully reasoned decision granting or refusing authorisation and shall notify the applicant data service provider accordingly within five working days.
4. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to determine:
(a) the information to be provided to it under paragraph 6, including the programme of operations;
(b) the information included in the notifications under Article 27b(3).
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
8. ESMA shall develop draft implementing technical standards to determine standard forms, templates and procedures for the notification or provision of information provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article and in Article 27e(3)..
Power is conferred on the Commission to adopt the implementing technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Article 27dWithdrawal of authorisation
1. ESMA may withdraw the authorisation of a data reporting service provider where the latter:
(a) does not make use of the authorisation within 12 months, expressly renounces the authorisation or has provided no services for the preceding six months;
(b) obtained the authorisation by making false statements or by any other irregular means;
(c) no longer meets the conditions under which it was authorised;
(d) has seriously and systematically infringed the provisions of this Regulation.
2. ESMA shall, without undue delay, notify the competent authority in the Member State where the data reporting service provider is established of a decision to withdraw the authorisation of a data reporting service provider.';
Article 27eRequirements for the management body of a data reporting services provider
1. The management body of a data reporting services provider shall at all times be of sufficiently good repute, possess sufficient knowledge, skills and experience and commit sufficient time to perform their duties.
The management body shall possess adequate collective knowledge, skills and experience to be able to understand the activities of the data reporting services provider. Each member of the management body shall act with honesty, integrity and independence of mind to effectively challenge the decisions of the senior management where necessary and to effectively oversee and monitor management decision-making where necessary.
Where a market operator seeks authorisation to operate an APA, a CTP or an ARM pursuant to Article 27c and the members of the management body of the APA, the CTP or the ARM are the same as the members of the management body of the regulated market, those persons are deemed to comply with the requirement laid down in the first subparagraph.
2. Data reporting services provider shall notify to ESMA all members of its management body and of any changes to its membership, along with all information needed to assess whether the entity complies with paragraph 1.
3. The management body of a data reporting services provider shall define and oversee the implementation of the governance arrangements that ensure effective and prudent management of an organisation including the segregation of duties in the organisation and the prevention of conflicts of interest, and in a manner that promotes the integrity of the market and the interest of its clients.
4. ESMA shall refuse authorisation if it is not satisfied that the person or the persons who shall effectively direct the business of the data reporting services provider are of sufficiently good repute, or if there are objective and demonstrable grounds for believing that proposed changes to the management of the provider pose a threat to its sound and prudent management and to the adequate consideration of the interest of its clients and the integrity of the market.
5. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards [PO: Please insert date 24 months after entry into force] for the assessment of the suitability of the members of the management body described in paragraph 1, taking into account different roles and functions carried out by them and the need to avoid conflicts of interest between members of the management body and users of the APA, CTP or ARM.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in this paragraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Chapter 2
CONDITIONS FOR APAS, CTPS AND ARMS
Article 27fOrganisational requirements for APAs
1. An APA shall have adequate policies and arrangements in place to make public the information required under Articles 20 and 21 as close to real time as is technically possible, on a reasonable commercial basis. The information shall be made available free of charge 15 minutes after the APA has published it. The APA shall efficiently and consistently disseminate such information in a way that ensures fast access to the information, on a non-discriminatory basis and in a format that facilitates the consolidation of the information with similar data from other sources.
2. The information made public by an APA in accordance with paragraph 1 shall include, at least, the following details:
(a) the identifier of the financial instrument;
(b) the price at which the transaction was concluded;
(c) the volume of the transaction;
(d) the time of the transaction;
(e) the time the transaction was reported;
(f) the price notation of the transaction;
(g) the code for the trading venue the transaction was executed on, or where the transaction was executed via a systematic internaliser the code ‘SI’ or otherwise the code ‘OTC’;
(h) if applicable, an indicator that the transaction was subject to specific conditions.
3. An APA shall operate and maintain effective administrative arrangements designed to prevent conflicts of interest with its clients. In particular, an APA who is also a market operator or investment firm shall treat all information collected in a non-discriminatory fashion and shall operate and maintain appropriate arrangements to separate different business functions.
4. An APA shall have sound security mechanisms in place designed to guarantee the security of the means of transfer of information, minimise the risk of data corruption and unauthorised access and to prevent information leakage before publication. The APA shall maintain adequate resources and have back-up facilities in place in order to offer and maintain its services at all times.
5. The APA shall have systems in place that can effectively check trade reports for completeness, identify omissions and obvious errors and request re-transmission of any such erroneous reports.
6. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to determine common formats, data standards and technical arrangements facilitating the consolidation of information as referred to in paragraph 1.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
7. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 50 specifying what constitutes a reasonable commercial basis to make information public as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
8. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying:
(a) the means by which an APA may comply with the information obligation referred to in paragraph 1;
(b) the content of the information published under paragraph 1, including at least the information referred to in paragraph 2 in such a way as to enable the publication of information required under this Article;
(c) the concrete organisational requirements laid down in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Article 27g Organisational requirements for CTPs
1. A CTP shall have adequate policies and arrangements in place to collect the information made public in accordance with Articles 6 and 20, consolidate it into a continuous electronic data stream and make the information available to the public as close to real time as is technically possible, on a reasonable commercial basis.
That information shall include, at least, the following details:
(a) the identifier of the financial instrument;
(b) the price at which the transaction was concluded;
(c) the volume of the transaction;
(d) the time of the transaction;
(e) the time the transaction was reported;
(f) the price notation of the transaction;
(g) the code for the trading venue the transaction was executed on, or where the transaction was executed via a systematic internaliser the code ‘SI’ or otherwise the code ‘OTC’;
(h) where applicable, the fact that a computer algorithm within the investment firm was responsible for the investment decision and the execution of the transaction;
(i) if applicable, an indicator that the transaction was subject to specific conditions;
(j) if the obligation to make public the information referred to in Article 3(1) was waived in accordance with point (a) or (b) of Article 4(1), a flag to indicate which of those waivers the transaction was subject to.
The information shall be made available free of charge 15 minutes after the CTP has published it. The CTP shall be able to efficiently and consistently disseminate such information in a way that ensures fast access to the information, on a non-discriminatory basis and in formats that are easily accessible and utilisable for market participants.
2. A CTP shall have adequate policies and arrangements in place to collect the information made public in accordance with Article 10 and Article 21, consolidate it into a continuous electronic data stream and make following information available to the public as close to real time as is technically possible, on a reasonable commercial basis including, at least, the following details:
(a) the identifier or identifying features of the financial instrument;
(b) the price at which the transaction was concluded;
(c) the volume of the transaction;
(d) the time of the transaction;
(e) the time the transaction was reported;
(f) the price notation of the transaction;
(g) the code for the trading venue the transaction was executed on, or where the transaction was executed via a systematic internaliser the code ‘SI’ or otherwise the code ‘OTC’;
(h) if applicable, an indicator that the transaction was subject to specific conditions.
The information shall be made available free of charge 15 minutes after the CTP has published it. The CTP shall be able to efficiently and consistently disseminate such information in a way that ensures fast access to the information, on a non-discriminatory basis and in generally accepted formats that are interoperable and easily accessible and utilisable for market participants.
3. The CTP shall ensure that the data provided is consolidated from all the regulated markets, MTFs, OTFs and APAs and for the financial instruments specified by regulatory technical standards under point (c) of paragraph 8.
4. The CTP shall operate and maintain effective administrative arrangements designed to prevent conflicts of interest. In particular, a market operator or an APA, who also operate a consolidated tape, shall treat all information collected in a non-discriminatory fashion and shall operate and maintain appropriate arrangements to separate different business functions.
5. The CTP shall have sound security mechanisms in place designed to guarantee the security of the means of transfer of information and to minimise the risk of data corruption and unauthorised access. The CTP shall maintain adequate resources and have back-up facilities in place in order to offer and maintain its services at all times.
ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to determine data standards and formats for the information to be published in accordance with Articles 6, 10, 20 and 21 , including financial instrument identifier, price, quantity, time, price notation, venue identifier and indicators for specific conditions the transactions was subject to as well as technical arrangements promoting an efficient and consistent dissemination of information in a way ensuring for it to be easily accessible and utilisable for market participants as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, including identifying additional services the CTP could perform which increase the efficiency of the market.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
6. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 89 clarifying what constitutes a reasonable commercial basis to provide access to data streams as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article.
7. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying:
(a) the means by which the CTP may comply with the information obligation referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2;
(b) the content of the information published under paragraphs 1 and 2;
(c) the financial instruments data of which must be provided in the data stream and for non-equity instruments the trading venues and APAs which need to be included;
(d) other means to ensure that the data published by different CTPs is consistent and allows for comprehensive mapping and cross-referencing against similar data from other sources, and is capable of being aggregated at Union level;
(e) the concrete organisational requirements laid down in paragraphs 4 and 5.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Article 27hOrganisational requirements
for ARMs
1. An ARM shall have adequate policies and arrangements in place to report the information required under Article 26 as quickly as possible, and no later than the close of the working day following the day upon which the transaction took place.
2. The ARM shall operate and maintain effective administrative arrangements designed to prevent conflicts of interest with its clients. In particular, an ARM that is also a market operator or investment firm shall treat all information collected in a non-discriminatory fashion and shall operate and maintain appropriate arrangements to separate different business functions.
3. The ARM shall have sound security mechanisms in place designed to guarantee the security and authentication of the means of transfer of information, minimise the risk of data corruption and unauthorised access and to prevent information leakage, maintaining the confidentiality of the data at all times. The ARM shall maintain adequate resources and have back-up facilities in place in order to offer and maintain its services at all times.
4. The ARM shall have systems in place that can effectively check transaction reports for completeness, identify omissions and obvious errors caused by the investment firm and where such error or omission occurs, to communicate details of the error or omission to the investment firm and request re-transmission of any such erroneous reports.
The ARM shall have systems in place to enable the ARM to detect errors or omissions caused by the ARM itself and to enable the ARM to correct and transmit, or re-transmit as the case may be, correct and complete transaction reports to the competent authority.
5. ESMA shall develop draft regulatory technical standards specifying:
(a) the means by which the ARM may comply with the information obligation referred to in paragraph 1; and
(b) the concrete organisational requirements laid down in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4.
Power is delegated to the Commission to adopt the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
(31) the following Title VIa is inserted:
'TITLE VIa
ESMA powers and competences
CHAPTER 1
COMPETENCES AND PROCEDURES
Article 38a Exercise of ESMA's powers
The powers conferred on ESMA or any official of or other person authorised by ESMA by Articles 38b to 38e shall not be used to require the disclosure of information or documents which are subject to legal privilege.
Article 38bRequest for information
1. ESMA may by simple request or by decision require the following persons to provide all information to enable ESMA to carry out its duties under this Regulation:
(a) an APA, a CTP, an ARM, and an investment firm or a market operator operating a trading venue to operate the data reporting services of an APA, a CTP or an ARM, and the persons that control them or are controlled by them;
(b) the managers of the persons referred to in point (a);
(c) the auditors and advisors of the persons referred to in point (a);
2. Any simple request for information referred to in paragraph 1 shall:
(a) refer to this Article as the legal basis of that request;
(b) state the purpose of the request;
(c) specify the information required;
(d) include a time limit within which the information is to be provided;
(e) include a statement that there is no obligation on the person from whom the information is requested to provide that information but that in case of a voluntary reply to the request, the information provided must not be incorrect or misleading;
(f) indicate the amount of the fine to be issued in accordance with Article 38e where the information provided is incorrect or misleading.
3. When requiring to supply information under paragraph 1 by decision, ESMA shall:
(a) refer to this Article as the legal basis of that request;
(b) state the purpose of the request;
(c) specify the information required;
(d) set a time limit within which the information is to be provided;
(e) indicate the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 38g where the production of the required information is incomplete;
(f) indicate the fine provided for in Article 38f, where the answers to questions asked are incorrect or misleading;
(g) indicate the right to appeal the decision before ESMA’s Board of Appeal and to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice of the European Union (‘Court of Justice’) in accordance with Articles 60 and 61 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
4. The persons referred to in paragraph 1 or their representatives and, in the case of legal persons or associations having no legal personality, the persons authorised to represent them by law or by their constitution shall supply the information requested. Lawyers duly authorised to act may supply the information on behalf of their clients. The latter shall remain fully responsible if the information supplied is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
5. ESMA shall, without delay, send a copy of the simple request or of its decision to the competent authority of the Member State where the persons referred to in paragraph 1 concerned by the request for information are domiciled or established.
Article 38c General investigations
1. In order to carry out its duties under this Regulation, ESMA may conduct necessary investigations of persons referred to in Article 38b(1). To that end, the officials and other persons authorised by ESMA shall be empowered to:
(a) examine any records, data, procedures and any other material relevant to the execution of its tasks irrespective of the medium on which they are stored;
(b) take or obtain certified copies of or extracts from such records, data, procedures and other material;
(c) summon and ask any person referred to in Article 38b(1) or their representatives or staff for oral or written explanations on facts or documents relating to the subject matter and purpose of the inspection and to record the answers;
(d) interview any other natural or legal person who consents to be interviewed for the purpose of collecting information relating to the subject matter of an investigation;
(e) request records of telephone and data traffic.
2. The officials and other persons authorised by ESMA for the purposes of the investigations referred to in paragraph 1 shall exercise their powers upon production of a written authorisation specifying the subject matter and purpose of the investigation. That authorisation shall also indicate the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 38i where the production of the required records, data, procedures or any other material, or the answers to questions asked to persons referred to in Article 38b(1) are not provided or are incomplete, and the fines provided for in Article 38h, where the answers to questions asked to persons referred to in Article 38b(1) are incorrect or misleading.
3. The persons referred to in Article 38b(1) are required to submit to investigations launched on the basis of a decision of ESMA. The decision shall specify the subject matter and purpose of the investigation, the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 38i, the legal remedies available under Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 and the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice.
4. In good time before an investigation referred to in paragraph 1, ESMA shall inform the competent authority of the Member State where the investigation is to be carried out of the investigation and of the identity of the authorised persons. Officials of the competent authority concerned shall, upon the request of ESMA, assist those authorised persons in carrying out their duties. Officials of the competent authority concerned may also attend the investigations upon request.
5. If a request for records of telephone or data traffic referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1 requires authorisation from a judicial authority according to applicable national law, such authorisation shall be applied for. Such authorisation may also be applied for as a precautionary measure.
6. Where a national judicial authority receives an application for the authorisation of a request for records of telephone or data traffic referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1, that authority shall verify the following:
(a) the decision adopted by ESMA referred to in paragraph 3 is authentic;
(b) any measures to be taken are proportionate and not arbitrary or excessive.
For the purposes of point (b), the national judicial authority may ask ESMA for detailed explanations, in particular relating to the grounds ESMA has for suspecting that an infringement of this Regulation has taken place and the seriousness of the suspected infringement and the nature of the involvement of the person subject to the coercive measures. However, the national judicial authority shall not review the necessity for the investigation or demand that it be provided with the information on ESMA’s file. The lawfulness of ESMA’s decision shall be subject to review only by the Court of Justice following the procedure set out in Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Article 38dOn-site inspections
1. In order to carry out its duties under this Regulation, ESMA may conduct all necessary on-site inspections at any business premises of the persons referred to in Article 38b(1).
2. The officials and other persons authorised by ESMA to conduct an on-site inspection may enter any business premises of the persons subject to an investigation decision adopted by ESMA and shall have all the powers stipulated in Article 38b(1). They shall also have the power to seal any business premises and books or records for the period of, and to the extent necessary for, the inspection.
3. In sufficient time before the inspection, ESMA shall give notice of the inspection to the competent authority of the Member State where the inspection is to be conducted. Where the proper conduct and efficiency of the inspection so require, ESMA, after informing the relevant competent authority, may carry out the on-site inspection without prior notice. Inspections in accordance with this Article shall be conducted provided that the relevant authority has confirmed that it does not object to those inspections.
4. The officials and other persons authorised by ESMA to conduct an on-site inspection shall exercise their powers upon production of a written authorisation specifying the subject matter and purpose of the inspection and the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 38g where the persons concerned do not submit to the inspection.
5. The persons referred to in Article 38b(1) shall submit to on-site inspections ordered by decision of ESMA. The decision shall specify the subject matter and purpose of the inspection, appoint the date on which it is to begin and indicate the periodic penalty payments provided for in Article 38i, the legal remedies available under Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 as well as the right to have the decision reviewed by the Court of Justice
6. Officials of, as well as those authorised or appointed by, the competent authority of the Member State where the inspection is to be conducted shall, at the request of ESMA, actively assist the officials and other persons authorised by ESMA. Officials of the competent authority of the Member State concerned may also attend the on-site inspections.
7. ESMA may also require competent authorities to carry out specific investigatory tasks and on-site inspections as provided for in this Article and in Article 38b(1) on its behalf.
8. Where the officials and other accompanying persons authorised by ESMA find that a person opposes an inspection ordered pursuant to this Article, the competent authority of the Member State concerned shall afford them the necessary assistance, requesting, where appropriate, the assistance of the police or of an equivalent enforcement authority, so as to enable them to conduct their on-site inspection.
9. If the on-site inspection provided for in paragraph 1 or the assistance provided for in paragraph 7 requires authorisation by a judicial authority according to national law, such authorisation shall be applied for. Such authorisation may also be applied for as a precautionary measure.
10. Where a national judicial authority receives an application for the authorisation of an on-site inspection provided for in paragraph 1 or the assistance provided for in paragraph 7, that authority shall verify the following:
(a) the decision adopted by ESMA referred to in paragraph 4 is authentic;
(b) any measures to be taken are proportionate and not arbitrary or excessive.
For the purposes of point (b), the national judicial authority may ask ESMA for detailed explanations, in particular relating to the grounds ESMA has for suspecting that an infringement of this Regulation has taken place and the seriousness of the suspected infringement and the nature of the involvement of the person subject to the coercive measures. However, the national judicial authority shall not review the necessity for the investigation or demand that it be provided with the information on ESMA’s file. The lawfulness of ESMA’s decision shall be subject to review only by the Court of Justice following the procedure set out in Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
Article 38e Exchange of information
ESMA and the competent authorities shall, without undue delay, provide each other with the information required for the purposes of carrying out their duties under this Regulation.
Article 38f Professional secrecy
The obligation of professional secrecy referred to in Article 76 of Directive 2014/65/EU shall apply to ESMA and all persons who work or who have worked for ESMA or for any other person to whom ESMA has delegated tasks, including auditors and experts contracted by ESMA.
Article 38gSupervisory measures by ESMA
1. Where ESMA finds that a person listed in point (a) of Article 38a(1) has committed one of the infringements listed in Title IVa, it shall take one or more of the following actions:
(a) adopt a decision requiring the person to bring the infringement to an end;
(b) adopt a decision imposing fines pursuant to Articles 38h and 38i;
(c) issue public notices.
2. When taking the actions referred to in paragraph 1, ESMA shall take into account the nature and seriousness of the infringement, having regard to the following criteria:
(a) the duration and frequency of the infringement;
(b) whether financial crime has been occasioned, facilitated or otherwise attributable to the infringement;
(c) whether the infringement has been committed intentionally or negligently.
(d) the degree of responsibility of the person responsible for the infringement;
(e) the financial strength of the person responsible for the infringement, as indicated by the total turnover of the responsible legal person or the annual income and net assets of the responsible natural person;
(f) the impact of the infringement on investors’ interests;
(g) the importance of the profits gained, losses avoided by the person responsible for the infringement or the losses for third parties derived from the infringement, insofar as they can be determined;
(h) the level of cooperation of the person responsible for the infringement with ESMA, without prejudice to the need to ensure disgorgement of profits gained or losses avoided by that person;
(i) previous infringements by the person responsible for the infringement;
(j) measures taken after the infringement by the person responsible for the infringement to prevent its repetition.
3. Without undue delay, ESMA shall notify any action taken pursuant to paragraph 1 to the person responsible for the infringement, and shall communicate it to the competent authorities of the Member States and to the Commission. It shall publicly disclose any such decision on its website within 10 working days from the date when it was adopted.
The disclosure to the public referred to in the first subparagraph shall include the following:
(a) a statement affirming the right of the person responsible for the infringement to appeal the decision;
(b) where relevant, a statement affirming that an appeal has been lodged and specifying that such an appeal does not have suspensive effect;
(c) a statement asserting that it is possible for ESMA’s Board of Appeal to suspend the application of the contested decision in accordance with Article 60(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
CHAPTER 2
ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS AND OTHER MEASURES
Article 38hFines
1. Where in accordance with Article 38k(5), ESMA finds that any person has, intentionally or negligently, committed one of the infringements listed in Title IVa, it shall adopt a decision imposing a fine in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article..
An infringement shall be considered to have been committed intentionally if ESMA finds objective factors which demonstrate that a person acted deliberately to commit the infringement.
2. The maximum amount of the fine referred to in paragraph 1 shall be EUR 200 000 or, in the Member States whose currency is not the euro, the corresponding value in the national currency. .
3. When determining the level of a fine pursuant to paragraph 1, ESMA shall take into account the criteria set out in Article 38g(2).
Article 38iPeriodic penalty payments
1. ESMA shall, by decision, impose periodic penalty payments in order to compel:
(a) a person to put an end to an infringement in accordance with a decision taken pursuant to Article 38b(1)(a);
(b) a person referred to in Article 38b(1):
– to supply complete information which has been requested by a decision pursuant to Article 38b;
– to submit to an investigation and in particular to produce complete records, data, procedures or any other material required and to complete and correct other information provided in an investigation launched by a decision pursuant to Article 38c;
– to submit to an on-site inspection ordered by a decision taken pursuant to Article 38d.
2. A periodic penalty payment shall be effective and proportionate. The periodic penalty payment shall be imposed for each day of delay.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, the amount of the periodic penalty payments shall be 3 % of the average daily turnover in the preceding business year, or, in the case of natural persons, 2 % of the average daily income in the preceding calendar year. It shall be calculated from the date stipulated in the decision imposing the periodic penalty payment.
4. A periodic penalty payment shall be imposed for a maximum period of six months following the notification of ESMA’s decision. Following the end of the period, ESMA shall review the measure.
Article 38j Disclosure, nature, enforcement and allocation of fines and periodic penalty payments
1. ESMA shall disclose to the public every fine and periodic penalty payment that has been imposed pursuant to Articles 38h and 38i unless such disclosure to the public would seriously jeopardise the financial markets or cause disproportionate damage to the parties involved. Such disclosure shall not contain personal data within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001.
2. Fines and periodic penalty payments imposed pursuant to Articles 38h and 38i shall be of an administrative nature.
3. Where ESMA decides to impose no fines or penalty payments, it shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and the competent authorities of the Member State concerned accordingly and shall set out the reasons for its decision.
4. Fines and periodic penalty payments imposed pursuant to Articles 38h and 38i shall be enforceable.
5. Enforcement shall be governed by the rules of civil procedure in force in the State in the territory of which it is carried out.
6. The amounts of the fines and periodic penalty payments shall be allocated to the general budget of the European Union.
Article 38kProcedural rules for taking supervisory measures and imposing fines
1. Where, in carrying out its duties under this Regulation, ESMA finds that there are serious indications of the possible existence of facts liable to constitute one or more of the infringements listed in Title IVa, ESMA shall appoint an independent investigation officer within ESMA to investigate the matter. The appointed officer shall not be involved or have been directly or indirectly involved in the supervision or the authorisation process of the data reporting service provider concerned and shall perform its functions independently from ESMA.
2. The investigation officer referred to in paragraph 1 shall investigate the alleged infringements, taking into account any comments submitted by the persons who are subject to the investigations, and shall submit a complete file with his findings to ESMA.
3. In order to carry out its tasks, the investigation officer may exercise the power to request information in accordance with Article 38b and to conduct investigations and on-site inspections in accordance with Articles 38c and 38d.
4. Where carrying out his tasks, the investigation officer shall have access to all documents and information gathered by ESMA in its supervisory activities.
5. Upon completion of his investigation and before submitting the file with his findings to ESMA, the investigation officer shall give the persons subject to the investigations the opportunity to be heard on the matters being investigated. The investigation officer shall base his findings only on facts on which the persons concerned have had the opportunity to comment.
6. The rights of the defence of the persons concerned shall be fully respected during investigations under this Article.
7. When submitting the file with his findings to ESMA, the investigation officer shall notify the persons who are subject to the investigations. The persons subject to the investigations shall be entitled to have access to the file, subject to the legitimate interest of other persons in the protection of their business secrets. The right of access to the file shall not extend to confidential information affecting third parties.
8. On the basis of the file containing the investigation officer’s findings and, when requested by the persons subject to the investigations, after having heard the those persons in accordance with Article 38l, ESMA shall decide if one or more of the infringements listed in Title IVa have been committed by the persons subject to the investigations and, in such a case, shall take a supervisory measure in accordance with Article 38m.
9. The investigation officer shall not participate in ESMA’s deliberations or in any other way intervene in ESMA’s decision-making process.
10. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 50 [PO: Please insert date 24 months after entry into force] by to specifying further the rules of procedure for the exercise of the power to impose fines or periodic penalty payments, including provisions on the rights of the defence, temporal provisions, and the collection of fines or periodic penalty payments, and the limitation periods for the imposition and enforcement of fines and periodic penalty payments.
11. ESMA shall refer matters for criminal prosecution to the relevant national authorities where, in carrying out its duties under this Regulation, it finds that there are serious indications of the possible existence of facts liable to constitute criminal offences. In addition, ESMA shall refrain from imposing fines or periodic penalty payments where a prior acquittal or conviction arising from identical fact or facts which are substantially the same has already acquired the force of res judicata as the result of criminal proceedings under national law.
Article 38lHearing of the persons concerned
1. Before taking any decision pursuant to Articles 38g, 38h and 38i, ESMA shall give the persons subject to the proceedings the opportunity to be heard on its findings. ESMA shall base its decisions only on findings on which the persons subject to the proceedings have had an opportunity to comment.
The first subparagraph shall not apply if urgent action is needed in order to prevent significant and imminent damage to the financial system. In such a case ESMA may adopt an interim decision and shall give the persons concerned the opportunity to be heard as soon as possible after taking its decision.
2. The rights of the defence of the persons subject to investigations shall be fully respected in the proceedings. They shall be entitled to have access to ESMA’s file, subject to the legitimate interest of other persons in the protection of their business secrets. The right of access to the file shall not extend to confidential information or ESMA’s internal preparatory documents.
Article 38mReview by the Court of Justice
The Court of Justice shall have unlimited jurisdiction to review decisions whereby ESMA has imposed a fine or a periodic penalty payment. It may annul, reduce or increase the fine or periodic penalty payment imposed.
Article 38nAuthorisation and supervisory fees
1. ESMA shall charge fees to the data reporting service providers in accordance with this Regulation and in accordance with the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 3. Those fees shall fully cover ESMA’s necessary expenditure relating to the authorisation and supervision of data reporting service providers and the reimbursement of any costs that the competent authorities may incur carrying out work pursuant to this Regulation, in particular as a result of any delegation of tasks in accordance with Article 38o.
2. The amount of an individual fee charged to a particular data reporting service providers shall cover all administrative costs incurred by ESMA for its activities in relation to the prospectus, including supplements thereto, drawn up by such issuer, offeror or person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market. It shall be proportionate to the turnover of the issuer, offeror or person asking for admission to trading on a regulated market.
3. The Commission shall adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 50 by [PO: Please insert date 24 months after entry into force] by to specifying further the type of fees, the matters for which fees are due, the amount of the fees and the manner in which they are to be paid.'
Article 38oDelegation of tasks by ESMA to competent authorities
1. Where necessary for the proper performance of a supervisory task, ESMA may delegate specific supervisory tasks to the competent authority of a Member State in accordance with the guidelines issued by ESMA pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010. Such specific supervisory tasks may, in particular, include the power to carry out requests for information in accordance with Article 38b and to conduct investigations and on-site inspections in accordance with Article 38c and Article 38d.
2. Prior to delegation of a task, ESMA shall consult the relevant competent authority about:
(a) the scope of the task to be delegated;
(b) the timetable for the performance of the task; and
(c) the transmission of necessary information by and to ESMA.
3. In accordance with the regulation on fees adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 38n(3), ESMA shall reimburse a competent authority for costs incurred as a result of carrying out delegated tasks.
4. ESMA shall review the decision referred to in paragraph 1 at appropriate intervals. A delegation may be revoked at any time.
(32) 5. A delegation of tasks shall not affect the responsibility of ESMA and shall not limit ESMA’s ability to conduct and oversee the delegated activity."; Article 50 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
'2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 1(9), Article 2(2), Article 13(2), Article 15(5), Article 17(3), Article 19(2) and (3), Article 27(3a), Article 27c, Article 31(4), Article 40(8), Article 41(8), Article 42(7), Article 45(10) and Article 52(10) and (12) shall be conferred for an indeterminate period of time from 2 July 2014.';
(b) in paragraph 3, the first sentence is replaced by the following:
'The delegation of power referred to in Article 1(9), Article 2(2), Article 13(2), Article 15(5), Article 17(3), Article 19(2) and (3), Article 27(3a), Article 27c, Article 31(4), Article 40(8), Article 41(8), Article 42(7), Article 45(10) and Article 52(10) and (12) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council.';
(c) in paragraph 5, the first sentence is replaced by the following:
'A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 1(9), Article 2(2), Article 13(2), Article 15(5), Article 17(3), Article 19(2) and (3), Article 27(3a), Article 27c, Article 31(4), Article 40(8), Article 41(8), Article 42(7), Article 45(10) and Article 52(10) or (12) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of three months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object.';
(32a) in Article 39, a new paragraph 2a is inserted:
“2a. In accordance with point (dc) of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 and point (db) of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, EBA and ESMA may coordinate mystery shopping activities of competent authorities concerning the conduction of inquiries into a particular type of financial institution or type of product or type of conduct, including approaching financial institutions in the role of a potential consumer. The information obtained from such inquiries may be used in support of tasks related to consumer protection, financial activities and financial innovation.”
(32b) in Article 40, paragraph 6 is replaced by the following:
“6. ESMA shall review a prohibition or restriction imposed under paragraph 1 at appropriate intervals, as soon as possible and at least every 6 months. The Authority may renew the prohibition or restriction twice, after which period it shall become permanent, unless the Authority considers otherwise.”
(32c) in Article 41, paragraph 6 is amended as follows:
“6. EBA shall review a prohibition or restriction imposed under paragraph 1 at appropriate intervals, as soon as possible and at least every 6 months. The Authority may renew the prohibition or restriction twice, after which period it shall become permanent, unless the Authority considers otherwise.”
(33) in Article 52, the following paragraphs 13 and 14 are added:
'13. The Commission shall, after consulting ESMA, present reports to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the consolidated tape established in accordance with Title IVa. The report relating to Article 27d(1) shall be presented by 3 September 2019. The report relating to Article 27d(2) shall be presented by 3 September 2021.
The reports referred to in the first subparagraph shall assess the functioning of the consolidated tape against the following criteria:
(a) the availability and timeliness of post trade information in a consolidated format capturing all transactions irrespective of whether they are carried out on trading venues or not;
(b) the availability and timeliness of full and partial post trade information that is of a high quality, in formats that are easily accessible and usable for market participants and available on a reasonable commercial basis.
Where the Commission concludes that the CTPs have failed to provide information in a way that meets the criteria set out in the second subparagraph, the Commission shall attach a request to its report for ESMA to launch a negotiated procedure for the appointment though a public procurement process run by ESMA of a commercial entity operating a consolidated tape. ESMA shall launch the procedure after receiving the request from the Commission on the conditions specified in the Commission’s request and in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (**).
14. The Commission shall, where the procedure outlined in paragraph 13 is initiated, adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 50, by specifying measures in order to:
(a) provide for the contract duration of the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape and the process and conditions for renewing the contract and the launching of new public procurement;
(b) provide that the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape shall do so on an exclusive basis and that no other entity shall be authorised as a CTP in accordance with Article 27a;
(c) empower ESMA to ensure adherence with tender conditions by the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape appointed through a public procurement;
(d) ensure that the post-trade information provided by the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape is of a high quality, in formats that are easily accessible and usable for market participants and in a consolidated format capturing the entire market;
(e) ensure that the post trade information is provided on a reasonable commercial basis, on both a consolidated and unconsolidated basis, and meets the needs of the users of that information across the Union;
(f) ensure that trading venues and APAs shall make their trade data available to the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape appointed through a public procurement process run by ESMA at a reasonable cost;
(g) specify arrangements applicable where the commercial entity operating a consolidated tape appointed through a public procurement fails to fulfil the tender conditions;
(h) specify arrangements under which CTPs authorised under Article 27a may continue to operate a consolidated tape where the empowerment provided for in point (b) of this paragraph is not used or, where no entity is appointed through the public procurement, until such time as a new public procurement is completed and a commercial entity is appointed to operate a consolidated tape.
* Directive 2013/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on the annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related reports of certain types of undertakings, amending Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC (OJ L 182, 29.6.2013, p. 19).
** Regulation (EU, Euroatom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euroatom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).';
(34) the following Articles 54a and 54b are inserted:
'Article 54aTransitional measures related to ESMA
1. All competences and duties related to the supervisory and enforcement activity in the field of data reporting services providers that are conferred on competent authorities pursuant to Article 67 of Directive 2014/65/EU shall be terminated on [PO: Please insert date 36 months after entry into force]. Those competences and duties shall be taken-up by ESMA on the same date.
2. Any files and working documents related to the supervisory and enforcement activity in the field of data reporting services providers, including any ongoing examinations and enforcement actions, or certified copies thereof, shall be taken over by ESMA on the date referred to in paragraph 1.
However, an application for authorisation that has been received by competent authorities before [PO: Please insert date 30 months after entry into force] shall not be transferred to ESMA, and the decision to register or refuse registration shall be taken by the relevant authority.
3. The competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1 shall ensure that any existing records and working papers, or certified copies thereof, shall be transferred to ESMA as soon as possible and in any event by data reporting services providers. Those competent authorities shall also render all necessary assistance and advice to ESMA to facilitate effective and efficient transfer and taking-up of supervisory and enforcement activity in the field of data reporting services providers.
4. ESMA shall act as the legal successor to the competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1 in any administrative or judicial proceedings that result from supervisory and enforcement activity pursued by those competent authorities in relation to matters that fall under this Regulation.
5. Any authorisation of a data reporting services provider granted by a competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall remain valid after the transfer of competences to ESMA
Article 54bRelations with auditors
1. Any person authorised within the meaning of Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (*), performing in a data reporting services provider the task described in Article 34 of Directive 2013/34/EU or Article 73 of Directive 2009/65/EC or any other task prescribed by law, shall have a duty to report promptly to ESMA any fact or decision concerning that undertaking of which that person has become aware while carrying out that task and which is liable to:
(a) constitute a material infringement of the laws, regulations or administrative provisions which lay down the conditions governing authorisation or which specifically govern pursuit of the activities of data reporting services provider;
(b) affect the continuous functioning of the data reporting services provider;
(c) lead to refusal to certify the accounts or to the expression of reservations.
That person shall also have a duty to report any facts and decisions of which the person becomes aware in the course of carrying out one of the tasks referred to in the first subparagraph in an undertaking having close links with the data reporting services provider within which he is carrying out that task.
2. The disclosure in good faith to the competent authorities, by persons authorised within the meaning of Directive 2006/43/EC, of any fact or decision referred to in paragraph 1 shall not constitute a breach of any contractual or legal restriction on disclosure of information and shall not involve such persons in liability of any kind.
* Directive 2006/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts, amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC and repealing Council Directive 84/253/EEC (OJ L 157, 9.6.2006, p. 87).'.
▐
Article 8Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 2016/1011 on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts or to measure the performance of investment funds
Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 is amended as follows:
(-1) in Article 3, paragraph 1, point (24), point (a), the introductory part is amended as follows:
“(a) input data contributed entirely ▌from:”;
(-1a) in Article 3, paragraph 1, point (24), point (a), point (vii) is amended as follows:
“(vii) a service provider to which the benchmark administrator has outsourced the data collection in accordance with Article 10, with the exception of Article 10(3)(f), provided that the service provider receives the data entirely from an entity referred to in points (i) to (vi);”;
(1) in Article 4, the following paragraph is added:
“9. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 to specify the requirements to ensure that the governance arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 are sufficiently robust.”;
(2) in Article 12, the following paragraph is added:
“4. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 to specify the conditions to ensure that the methodology referred to in paragraph 1 complies with points (a) to (e) of that paragraph.”;
(3) in Article 14, the following paragraph is added:
“4. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 to specify the characteristics of the systems and controls referred to in paragraph 1.”;
(4) Article 20 is replaced by the following:
"Article 20Critical benchmarks
1. The Commission shall designate as critical benchmark any benchmark provided by an administrator located within the Union and used directly or indirectly within a combination of benchmarks as a reference for financial instruments or financial contracts or for measuring the performance of investment funds having a total value of at least EUR 500 billion on the basis of all the range of maturities or tenors of the benchmark, where applicable.
Where a competent authority of a Member State or ESMA is of the opinion that a benchmark should be designated as a critical benchmark in accordance with the first sub-paragraph, that competent authority or ESMA, as appropriate, shall notify the Commission thereof and substantiate its opinion in writing.
The Commission shall review its assessment of the criticality of the benchmarks at least every two years.
2. ESMA shall designate as critical any benchmarks referenced by financial instruments or financial contracts or for measuring the performance of investment funds having a total value of less than EUR 500 billion as set out in paragraph (1) that fulfil criterion (a) and either criterion (b) or (c) below:
(a) the benchmark has no, or very few, appropriate market-led substitutes;
(b) there would be significant and adverse impacts on market integrity, financial stability, consumers, the real economy, or the financing of households and businesses in more than one Member State in the event that the benchmark ceased to be provided, was provided on the basis of input data no longer fully representative of the underlying market or economic reality, or was provided on the basis of unreliable input data;
(c)(i) the benchmark is based on submissions by contributors the majority of which are located in that Member State, and
(c)(ii) there would be significant and adverse impacts on market integrity, financial stability, consumers, the real economy, or the financing of households and businesses in one Member State, in the event that the benchmark ceased to be provided, was provided on the basis of input data no longer fully representative of the underlying market or economic reality, or was provided on the basis of unreliable input data.
3. When assessing whether the criteria laid down in points (a) and (b) are fulfilled, ESMA shall take into account all of the consideration:
(i) the value of financial instruments and financial contracts that reference the benchmark and the value of investment funds referencing the benchmark for measuring their performance and their relevance in terms of the total value of financial instruments and of financial contracts outstanding, and of the total value of investment funds, in the Member States concerned;
(ii) the value of financial instruments and financial contracts that reference the benchmark and the value of investment funds referencing the benchmark for measuring their performance within the Member States concerned and their relevance in terms of the gross national product of those Member States;
(iii) any other figure to assess on objective grounds the potential impact of the discontinuity or unreliability of the benchmark on market integrity, financial stability, consumers, the real economy, or the financing of households and businesses in the Member States concerned.
4. Before designating a benchmark as a critical benchmark, ESMA shall consult the competent authority of the administrator of that benchmark and take into account the assessment made by that competent authority.
ESMA shall review its assessment of the criticality of the benchmark at least every two years.
ESMA shall notify the Commission without undue delay of any designation of a benchmark as a critical benchmark and of any decision to revise a designation of a benchmark as a critical benchmark in case the review referred to in the fourth subparagraph of this paragraph leads to the conclusion that a benchmark ESMA had designated as critical is no longer assessed as critical.
Where a competent authority of a Member State is of the opinion that a benchmark should be designated as a critical benchmark in accordance with this paragraph, that competent authority shall notify ESMA thereof and substantiate its opinion in writing. ESMA shall provide that competent authority with a reasoned opinion if it decides not to designate that benchmark as critical benchmark.
3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 50(2) to establish a list of benchmarks which have been designated as critical benchmarks in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 50(2) to update that list without undue delay in the following situations:
(a) the Commission designates a benchmark as a critical benchmark or reviews that designation in accordance with paragraph 1;
(b) the Commission receives notifications from ESMA as referred to in the fifth subparagraph of paragraph 2.
4. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 in order to:
(a) specify how the nominal amount of financial instruments other than derivatives, the notional amount of derivatives and the net asset value of investment funds are to be assessed, including in the event of an indirect reference to a benchmark within a combination of benchmarks, in order to be compared with the thresholds referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in point (a) of Article 24(1);
(b) review the calculation method used to determine the thresholds referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article in the light of market, price and regulatory developments as well as the appropriateness of the classification of benchmarks with a total value of financial instruments, financial contracts, or investment funds referencing them that is close to the thresholds; such review shall take place at least every two years as from ... [18 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation];
(c) specify how the criteria laid down in points (i) to (iii) in the second subparagraph paragraph 2 of this Article are to be applied, taking into consideration any data which help assess on objective grounds the potential impact of the discontinuity or unreliability of the benchmark concerned on market integrity, financial stability, consumers, the real economy, or the financing of households and businesses in one or more Member States.
The Commission shall take into account relevant market or technological developments..”;
(5) Article 21 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
“2. Upon receipt of the assessment by the administrator referred to in paragraph 1, the competent authority shall:
(a) inform ESMA thereof;
(b) within four weeks following the receipt of that assessment, make its own assessment of how the benchmark is to be transitioned to a new administrator or be ceased to be provided, taking into account the procedure established in accordance with Article 28(1).
During the period of time referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph, the administrator shall not cease the provision of the benchmark without the written consent of ESMA.”
(b) a new paragraph 5 is added:
“5. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 to specify the criteria on which the assessment referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2 is to be based.”;
(6) in Article 23, paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following :
“3. A supervised contributor to a critical benchmark that intends to cease contributing input data shall promptly notify the administrator thereof in writing. The administrator shall thereupon inform ESMA thereof without delay.
ESMA shall inform the competent authority of that supervised contributor thereof without delay. The administrator shall submit to ESMA an assessment of the implications on the capability of the critical benchmark to measure the underlying market or economic reality, as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the notification made by the supervised contributor.
4. Upon receipt of the assessment referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3, ESMA shall on the basis of that assessment make its own assessment on the capability of the benchmark to measure the underlying market and economic reality, taking into account the administrator's procedure for cessation of the benchmark established in accordance with Article 28(1).”;
(7) in Article 26, the following paragraph is added:
“6. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 49 to specify the criteria under which competent authorities may require changes to the compliance statement as referred to in paragraph 4.”;
(8) Article 30 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
“2. The Commission may adopt an implementing decision stating that the legal framework and supervisory practice of a third country ensures the following:
(a) administrators authorised or registered in that third country comply with binding requirements which are equivalent to the requirements under this Regulation. When assessing the equivalence the Commission may take into account whether the legal framework and supervisory practice of that third country ensures compliance with the IOSCO principles for financial benchmarks or with the IOSCO principles for PRAs;
(b) those binding requirements are subject to effective supervision and enforcement on an on-going basis in that third country.
The Commission may subject the application of the implementing decision referred to in the first subparagraph to the effective fulfilment by that third country of any condition set out in that implementing decision on an ongoing basis and to the ability of ESMA to effectively exercise the monitoring responsibilities referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
That implementing decision shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 50(2) of this Regulation.”;
(b) the following paragraph 2a is inserted:
“2a. The Commission may adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 49 to specify the conditions referred to in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 2.”;
(c) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
“3. Where no implementing decision has been adopted pursuant to paragraph 2, the Commission may adopt an implementing decision stating all of the following:
(a) binding requirements in a third country with respect to specific administrators, benchmarks or families of benchmarks, are equivalent to the requirements under this Regulation taking into account, in particular, whether the legal framework and supervisory practice of that third country ensures compliance with the IOSCO principles for financial benchmarks or with the IOSCO principles for PRAs;
(b) those specific administrators, benchmarks or families of benchmarks are subject to effective supervision and enforcement on an on-going basis in that third country.
The Commission may subject the application of the implementing decision referred to in the first subparagraph to the effective fulfilment by that third country of any condition set out in that implementing decision on an ongoing basis and to the ability of ESMA to effectively exercise the monitoring responsibilities referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.
That implementing decision shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 50(2) of this Regulation.”;
(d) the following paragraph 3a is inserted:
“3a. The Commission may adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 49 to specify the conditions referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 3.”;
(e) the introductory subparagraph of paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
"4. ESMA shall establish cooperation arrangements with the competent authorities of third countries whose legal framework and supervisory practices have been recognised as equivalent in accordance with paragraph 2 or 3 unless that third country, in accordance with a delegated act in force adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 9 of Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European Parliament and of the Council, is on the list of jurisdictions which have strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regimes that pose significant threats to the financial system of the Union. Such arrangements shall specify at least:";
(f) in paragraph 4, the following point (d) is added:
“(d) the procedures for the exchange of information on a regular basis, and at least quarterly, about benchmarks provided in that third country that fulfil any of the conditions set out in points (a) or (c) of Article 20(1).”;
(g) the second subparagraph of paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:
“ESMA shall submit those draft regulatory technical standards to the Commission by [PO: please insert date 24 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation].”;
(9) Article 32 is amended as follows:
(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
“1. Until such time as an equivalence decision is adopted in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 30, a benchmark provided by an administrator located in a third country may be used by supervised entities in the Union, provided that that administrator acquires prior recognition by ESMA in accordance with this Article.”;
(b) the second subparagraph of paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
“To determine whether the condition referred to in the first subparagraph is fulfilled and to assess compliance with the IOSCO principles for financial benchmarks or the IOSCO principles for PRAs, as applicable, ESMA may take into account an assessment by an independent external