Release: 5182-06

For Release: May 15, 2006

Facilitating Transatlantic Derivatives Business: U.S. (CFTC) and EU Regulators, Through CESR, Take Joint Steps to Respond to Industry Concerns and to Facilitate Transatlantic Business by Use of Online Guides

To enhance transparency in the transatlantic derivatives business, a joint task force of regulators from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Committee of European Securities Regulators (CESR), today published ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ in the form of “online guides” for conducting derivatives business in the U.S. and the European Union (EU). These guides include country specific information regarding regulation and supervision in the U.S. and in Europe, with information provided by CESR members in Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the UK. Further country profiles will be added for other European countries in the coming months.

The information published today marks the first step in addressing the proposals articulated in the joint work program and announced on June 28, 2005, by the CFTC and CESR. The joint task force from the CFTC and CESR was established in June 2005 to implement the proposals set out in the work program. The priorities identified are intended to enhance transparency and clarity of regulatory developments in the U.S. and Europe, and to simplify access and recognition procedures.

The online guides are intended to be practical in nature and are divided into sections for each category of user: exchanges, investment services and end-users. In addition, the guides provide useful contact details for specialists within the authorities and links to detailed information (including rules) applicable in the U.S. and in each Member State, and general information on the regulators, exchanges, clearing organizations, investment services, and how to find information about the end-users in each jurisdiction.

The country profiles may be accessed through the country profiles link at CESR’s website or via the web pages of the individual EU national supervisors.

The initiatives proposed under the joint work program, of which today’s country profiles form one part, are intended to facilitate transatlantic derivatives business, and they reflect considerable industry input. In particular, the work program was developed after a Roundtable with U.S. and EU practitioners and a public comment period which took place in early 2005. As such, the work program incorporates the views and priorities identified by organized derivatives markets, intermediaries and end-users from the United States and the European Union concerning practical operational issues that they encounter when conducting transatlantic business in exchange-traded derivatives and related transactions. The objective of this dialogue has been to promote the establishment of a transatlantic business environment that will ensure, to the extent possible, that compatible business and regulatory initiatives can be developed and adopted.

Jacqueline H. Mesa, Director of the CFTC’s Office of International Affairs stated:

“I am extremely pleased with the publication today of these practical guides to conducting transatlantic derivatives business. The ability of the CFTC and CESR to respond to the industry’s request to provide transparency and clarity to the regulatory framework for this activity is a true testament to the strong and committed working relationship that has existed...and continues to exist...between our two organizations.”

Fabrice Demarigny, CESR’s Secretary General commented:

“CESR is committed to developing a strong transatlantic dialogue with our US counterparts, the CFTC. The development of this work has provided us with an important opportunity to take concrete steps towards an effective dialogue which brings tangible benefits to industry wishing to undertake transatlantic business by ensuring greater transparency in regulatory processes.”

Media Contacts
Alan Sobba
202-418-5080

R. David Gary
202-418-5085

Last Updated: February 17, 2011