DEPP 6A.1 Introduction

1DEPP 6A sets out the FCA's2 statement of policy with respect to the imposition of suspensions or restrictions under sections 88A, 89Q and 206A of the Act3, and the period for which those suspensions or restrictions are to have effect, as required by sections3 88C(1), 89S(1)2 and 210(1) of the Act. It also sets out the FCA's statement of policy on the imposition of suspensions, conditions or limitations under section 66 of the Act, the period for which suspensions or conditions are to have effect, and the period for which approvals under section 59 have effect as a result of a limitation, as required by section 69(1). DEPP 6A does not concern limitations or conditions imposed under section 61(2B), 63ZA or 63ZB of the Act.3

1. (1)

   For the purposes of DEPP 6A, "suspension" refers to the suspension of:2

   1. (a)

      any permission which an authorised person has to carry on a regulated activity (under section 206A of the Act),2

   2. (b)

      any approval of the performance by an approved person of any function to which the approval relates (under section 66 of the Act),2

   3. (c)

      a sponsor's approval (under section 88A(2)(b) of the Act),2

   4. (d)

      and a primary information provider's approval (under section 89Q(2)(b) of the Act);

      2
2. (2)

   "restriction" refers to limitations or other restrictions in relation to:2

   1. (a)

      the carrying on of a regulated activity by an authorised person (under section 206A of the Act), 2

   2. (b)

      [deleted]3

      2
   3. (c)

      the performance of services to which a sponsor's approval relates (under section 88A(2)(c) of the Act), and2

   4. (d)

      the dissemination of regulated information by a primary information provider (under section 89Q(2)(c) of the Act);5 .2

3. (3)

   “condition” refers to a condition imposed in relation to any approval of the performance by an approved person of any function to which the approval relates (under section 66 of the Act); and3

4. (4)

   “limitation” refers, apart from in DEPP 6A.1.2G(2), to a limitation of the period for which any approval of the performance by an approved person of any function to which the approval relates is to have effect (under section 66 of the Act).3

The power to impose a suspension, restriction, condition or limitation3 is a disciplinary measure which the FCA2 may use in addition to, or instead of, imposing a financial penalty or issuing a public censure. The principal purpose of imposing such a measure3 is to promote high standards of regulatory and/or market conduct by deterring persons who have committed breaches from committing further breaches, helping to deter other persons from committing similar breaches, and demonstrating generally the benefits of compliant behaviour. These measures3 are tools that the FCA may employ to help it to achieve its statutory objectives. Examples of measures3 that we may impose include:

1. (1)

   we may restrict3 an authorised person's carrying on of a regulated activity so that they can only sell certain products or provide certain services;

2. (2)

   we may place a condition on3 an approved person's performance of their controlled functions so that they can only give advice to consumers or deal in certain products if they are appropriately supervised.

The powers to impose a suspension, restriction, condition or limitation3 in relation to authorised persons and approved persons are disciplinary measures;2 where the FCA2 considers it necessary to take action, for example, to protect consumers from an authorised person, the FCA2 will seek to cancel or vary the authorised person's permissions. If the FCA2 has concerns with a person's fitness to be approved, and considers it necessary to take action, the FCA2 will seek to prohibit the approved person or withdraw their3 approval. For an SMF manager, the FCA may instead vary their approval by imposing one or more conditions, if the FCA is satisfied that they would be a fit and proper person to perform functions in relation to regulated activities if the conditions are imposed, and that it is appropriate to do so.3 While the powers to impose a suspension or a restriction in relation to sponsors and primary information providers under sections 88A(2)(b)/(c) and 89Q(2)(b)/(c) of the Act are disciplinary measures, the FCA can impose suspensions, limitations or other restrictions in relation to sponsors and primary information providers in other circumstances.2

3The FCA expects to impose a limitation in two situations. The FCA may impose a limitation where it considers it appropriate for an approval to cease to have effect:

1. (1)

   after a certain period, unless the approved person demonstrates during the period of limitation that it is appropriate for them to be reapproved without the limitation;

2. (2)

   after a short period, without giving the approved person the opportunity to demonstrate that they should be re-approved.

The imposition of a limitation in (2) is equivalent to a withdrawal of approval, apart from that it is carried out for disciplinary reasons and the FCA will have made no finding of lack of fitness or propriety. The FCA recognises that the use of this power will have serious consequences for the approved person concerned; therefore, it will exercise its power in a proportionate manner. The FCA’s policy on determining the length of the limitation is set out in DEPP 6A.3AG.