Consultation Paper on periodic information to be submitted to ESMA by Credit Rating Agencies

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is consulting on new supervisory guidelines regarding the information that is periodically submitted to ESMA by credit rating agencies. Good quality, relevant and timely data is key to the efficient and effective supervision of the CRA sector and the aim of this consultation paper is to ensure that the information that CRAs are requested to submit supports ESMA's supervisory work in identifying the key risks in the CRA sector.In addition to the periodic reporting to CEREP and SOCRAT, registered CRAs must notify ESMA of changes to their initial conditions for registration and submit periodically to ESMA information in accordance with ESMA’s Guidance on the enforcement practices and activities. CRAs must also submit annually to ESMA information regarding their revenues for the calculation of the supervisory fees and market share. Finally, CRAs submit to ESMA periodically other information that is used for on-going supervisory purposes.The guidelines are proposed under Article 16 of EU No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010, which enables ESMA to publish guidelines addressed to financial market participants with a view to establishing consistent, efficient and effective supervisory practices. These proposed guidelines will replace CESR’s Guidance on the enforcement practices and activities to be conducted under Article 21.3(a) of the Regulation (ESMA/2010/944) of 30 August 2010.The consultation paper should be by read by credit rating agencies (as defined in Article 3(1)(b) of the CRA Regulation), companies which have applied for registration or are considering applying for registration, competent authorities, and consumer groups.