REC 2A.3 Guidance on RAP recognition requirements

REC 2A.3.1GRP

4In assessing compliance with the RAP recognition requirements, the FCA will have regard to relevant guidance in REC 2 on the equivalent requirements set out in the Recognition Requirement Regulations. The FCA may also take into account compliance by the RAP or RAP applicant with the recognition requirements (see REC 2A.2.1UK). The FCA will not make a separate assessment of compliance with the recognition requirements during the course of examining an application to become a RAP or as part of its ongoing supervision of a RAP, unless there is a specific reason to do so.

REC 2A.3.2GRP

4The guidance in relation to the recognition requirements in the sections of REC 2 listed in Column A of the table below applies to a RAP in relation to the equivalent RAP recognition requirements listed in Column C and (if shown) with the modifications in Column B.

Table: Guidance on RAP recognition requirements

Column A

REC 2 guidance which applies to a RAP

Column B

Modification to REC 2 guidance for a RAP

Column C

Relevant RAP recognition requirement

REC 2.2.2G to REC 2.2.7G (Relevant circumstances and Outsourcing)

Reg 13

REC 2.3.3G to REC 2.3.9G (Financial resources)

Reg 14

REC 2.4.3G to REC 2.4.6G (Suitability)

In addition to the matters set out in REC 2.4.3G to REC 2.4.6G, the FCA will have regard to whether a key individual has been allocated responsibility for overseeing the auction platform of the UK recognised body.

Reg 15

REC 2.5.3G to REC 2.5.20G (Systems and controls and conflicts) and REC 2.5A (Guidance on Public Interest Disclosure Act: Whistleblowing)

Reg 16 and 17(2)(f)

REC 2.6.26G to REC 2.6.34G (Safeguards for investors)

Reg 17

REC 2.7.3G to REC 2.7.4G (Access to facilities)

The FCA shall have regard to whether a RAP provides access to bid at auctions only to those persons eligible to apply for admission to bid under regulation 16 of the UK auctioning regulations.

Reg 17(2)(a) and 20

REC 2.8.3G to REC 2.8.4G (Settlement and clearing services)

Reg 17(2)(d) and 21

REC 2.9.3G to REC 2.9.4G (Transaction recording)

Reg 17(2)(e)

REC 2.10.3G to REC 2.10.4G (Financial crime and market abuse)

Reg 17(2)(g)

REC 2.11.3G to REC 2.11.4G (Custody)

REC 2.11.4G is replaced with the following for a RAP:

Where a RAP arranges for other persons to provide services for the safeguarding and administration services of assets belonging to users of its facilities, it will also need to satisfy the RAP recognition requirement in regulation 17(2)(h) of the RAP regulations (see REC 2A.2.1UK).

Reg 17(2)(h)

REC 2.12.1G to REC 2.12.2G (Availability of relevant information)

REC 2.12.1G to REC 2.12.2G are replaced with the following for a RAP:

In determining whether appropriate arrangements have been made to make relevant information available to persons engaged in dealing in emissions auction products the FCA may have regard to:

(1) the extent to which auction bidders are able to obtain information in a timely fashion about the terms of those emissions auction products and the terms on which they will be auctioned, either through accepted channels for dissemination of information or through other regularly and widely accessible communication media;

(2) what restrictions, if any, there are on the dissemination of relevant information to auction bidders; and

(3) whether relevant information is, or can be, kept to restricted groups of persons in such a way as to facilitate or encourage market abuse.

REC 2.12.2G

A RAP does not need to maintain its own arrangements for providing information on the terms of emissions auction products to auction bidders where it has made adequate arrangements for other persons to do so on its behalf or there are other effective and reliable arrangements for this purpose.

Reg 17(2)(c)

REC 2.13.3G to REC 2.13.6G (Promotion and maintenance of standards)

Reg 18

REC 2.14.3G to REC 2.14.6G (Rules and consultation)

Reg 19

REC 2.15.3G to REC 2.15.6G (Discipline)

Reg 22

REC 2.16.3G to REC 2.16.4G (Complaints

Reg 23