EUROPEAN SECURITIES AND MARKETS AUTHORITY (ESMA)

ESMA is an independent EU Authority that contributes to safeguarding the stability of the European Union's financial system by ensuring the integrity, transparency, efficiency and orderly functioning of securities markets, as well as enhancing investor protection. In particular, ESMA fosters supervisory convergence both amongst securities regulators, and across financial sectors by working closely with the other European Supervisory Authorities competent in the field of banking (EBA), and insurance and occupational pensions (EIOPA). ESMA is located in Paris, France.

ESMA's work on securities legislation contributes to the development of a single rule book in Europe. This serves two purposes; firstly, it ensures the consistent treatment of investors across the Union, enabling an adequate level of protection of investors through effective regulation and supervision. Secondly, it promotes equal conditions of competition for financial service providers, as well as ensuring the effectiveness and cost efficiency of supervision for supervised companies. As part of its role in standard setting and reducing the scope of regulatory arbitrage, ESMA strengthens international supervisory co-operation. Where requested in European law, ESMA undertakes the supervision of certain entities with pan-European reach.

Finally, ESMA also contributes to the financial stability of the European Union, in the short, medium and long-term, through its contribution to the work of the European Systemic Risk Board, which identifies potential risks to the financial system and provides advice to diminish possible threats to the financial stability of the Union. ESMA is also responsible for coordinating actions of securities supervisors or adopting emergency measures when a crisis situation arises.

Whilst ESMA is independent, there is full accountability towards the European Parliament where it will appear before the relevant Committee known as ECON, at their request for formal hearings. Full accountability towards the Council of the European Union and European Commission also exists. The Authority therefore reports on its activities regularly at meetings but also through an Annual Report.

How ESMA works

The creation of ESMA as an EU Authority on 1 January 2011 through the ESMA Regulation, has resulted in some changes regarding the four level legislative:

Level 1 Directives and regulations, continue to set out the high level political objectives on the area concerned by the legislation. Occasionally, at this early stage, ESMA may be asked for technical advice by the Commission as it develops its legislative proposal.

However, ESMA has been given a greater role in Level 2 in drafting what can be considered as subordinate acts (known as delegated acts and implementing acts). Delegated acts are concerned more with the substantive content of the legislative requirement, for example setting out what authorisation information firms must provide to competent authorities, whilst implementing acts are similar to executive measures giving effect to the substantive requirements, this might include for example, standard forms, templates and procedures for communicating information or processes between competent authorities.

At Level 3, ESMA develops guidelines and recommendations with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices within the European System of Financial Supervision, and to ensure the common, uniform and consistent application of Union Law. The guidelines and recommendations are addressed to competent authorities or financial market participants. Whilst not legally binding, these have been strengthened under ESMA and competent authorities must now make every effort to comply and must explain if they do not intend to comply. Financial market participants can also be required to report publically whether they comply. ESMA also takes other steps under Level 3 to ensure supervisory convergence.

At Level 4, a fast track procedure has been introduced by the Regulation establishing ESMA. On this basis, ESMA now has a new role. At the request of a national competent authority, the European Parliament, Council, Commission or the Stakeholder Group, ESMA can be requested to launch an enquiry and can issue a recommendation addressed to the national authority, within two months of launching its investigation. ESMA is also be able to launch investigations on its own initiative. The Commission is also able to follow its usual procedures for referring a case against the Member State to the Court of Justice.

ESMA's Consultation Practices

ESMA, its standing committees and networks work in an open and transparent manner, and consult extensively, and at an early stage, with market participants, consumers and end-users.  In addition, a Securities and Markets Stakeholders Group has been established to advise ESMA on working priorities and assess developments in the Single Market in the field of Financial Services.