PROF 1.1 Application and Purpose

This sourcebook is also relevant to designated professional bodies.

Under Part XX of the Act (Provision of Financial Services by Members of the Professions) certain individuals, partnerships or corporate entities, known as exempt professional firms, can carry on particular regulated activities (which the Act terms exempt regulated activities) under supervision and regulation by designated professional bodies.

This sourcebook outlines:

1. (1)

   the arrangements for designation of professional bodies;

2. (2)

   the conditions for activities to be treated as exempt regulated activities (see PROF 2.1.3 G);

3. (3)

   the FSA's duty to keep itself informed about how designated professional bodies supervise and regulate the exempt regulated activities of exempt professional firms and how exempt professional firms carry on exempt regulated activities;

4. (4)

   the FSA's power under section 328 of the Act (Directions in relation to the general prohibition) to make a direction to deny the exemption to different classes of person or to different descriptions of regulated activity;

5. (5)

   the implications for an authorised professional firm that carries on an non-mainstream regulated activities; and3

6. (6)

   the arrangements made by the FSA for complying with its obligations under the Insurance Mediation Directive5 in relation to:3

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   1. (a)

      maintaining a record of unauthorised persons, including exempt professional firms, that carry on, or are proposing to carry on, insurance mediation activity; and3

   2. (b)

      exempt professional firms that wish to passport under the Insurance Mediation Directive5.3

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This sourcebook also contains disclosure rules made by the FSA under the power conferred by section 332(1) of the Act (Rules in relation to persons to whom the general prohibition does not apply). These rules apply to exempt professional firms for the purpose of ensuring that their clients are made aware that exempt professional firms are not authorised persons.

The rules and guidance in this sourcebook are intended to:

1. (1)

   assist the protection of clients of exempt professional firms by ensuring that the FSA has information which allows it to keep under review the exercise of the direction power under section 328 of the Act (see PROF 1.1.4 G (4));

2. (2)

   promote public understanding of the UK financial system6 by ensuring that the clients of an exempt professional firm are made aware that the firm is not an authorised person; 3

3. (3)

   enable the FSA to use its resources in an efficient and effective way in the collection of information relevant to its duty to keep itself informed under section325 of the Act (Authority's general duty); and3

4. (4)

   explain the background to and the arrangements made by the FSA for:3

   1. (a)

      the registration of unauthorised persons, including exempt professional firms, that carry on, or are proposing to carry on, insurance mediation activity; and3

   2. (b)

      authorised professional firms and exempt professional firms that wish to exercise their EEA right under the Insurance Mediation Directive5 to establish a branch or provide cross border services in another EEA State.3

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Professional firms should refer to PERG 8 (Financial promotion and related activities) for general guidance on financial promotion and to PERG 8.15 (Financial promotions by members of the professions (articles 55 and 55A)) for guidance on the exemptions which are specifically intended for professional firms.2