PERG 7.2 Introduction

Advice is excluded by article 54 of the Regulated Activities Order from the regulated activities of advising on investments, advising on regulated credit agreements for the acquisition of land2,3 advising on a home finance transaction 1and advising on conversion or transfer of pension benefits3 if:

1. (1)

   the advice is given in a publication or service that is in one of three formats (see PERG 7.4.3 G and PERG 7.4.4 G); and

2. (2)

   the principal purpose of the particular format is neither to give certain advice nor to lead to (or enable) certain transactions to be carried out (see PERG 7.4.5 G and PERG 7.4.10 G).

If a person would, but for the exclusion, be carrying on the regulated activities of advising on investments, advising on regulated credit agreements for the acquisition of land,3 advising on a home finance transaction or advising on conversion or transfer of pension benefits3, or any or each of them1, and will be doing so as a business in the United Kingdom (see PERG 7.3), he may wish to apply to the FCA for a certificate that the exclusion applies (see PERG 7.6). However, a person does not need a certificate to get the benefit of the exclusion. In many cases it will be clear that the exclusion in article 54 applies and a certificate is not called for. A certificate may be appropriate, however, where the exclusion appears to apply but there may be an element of doubt. The granting of a certificate would remove any such doubt.

Certificates given under paragraph 25 of Schedule 1 to the Financial Services Act 1986 (Exclusion for periodical publications giving investment advice) ceased to have effect on 1 December 2001. Holders of such certificates must consider their position under the terms of the new exclusion. If a person considers that a certificate might be appropriate, a new application must be made.