M2G 1.5 ESMA Guidelines

1ESMA guidelines are subject to the ‘comply or explain’ process in article 16 Regulation 1095/2010 (establishing ESMA) and are addressed to competent authorities or, as the case may be, market participants. Under article 16(3) Regulation 1095/2010 (establishing ESMA) competent authorities and financial market participants must make every effort to comply with these.

1As a general practice, when the FCA decided2 to comply with the guidelines issued by ESMA it signposted2 a reference to these by means of a note at the beginning of the relevant section of the Handbook. The FCA have issued non-handbook guidance setting out the FCA’s approach to ESMA guidelines after IP completion day. The guide can be found on the FCA website at [URL to be added].2