For the purposes of this Regulation the following definitions apply:

1. (a)

   "indirect client" means the client of a client of a clearing member;

2. (b)

   "indirect clearing arrangements" means the set of contractual relationships between providers and recipients of indirect clearing services provided by a client, an indirect client or a second indirect client;

3. (c)

   "confirmation" means the documentation of the agreement of the counterparties to all the terms of an over the counter (OTC) derivative contract;

4. (d)

   "second indirect client" means a client of an indirect client;

5. (e)

   ‘third indirect client’ means a client of a second indirect client;

6. (f)

   ‘authorised credit institution’ means a credit institution which is a CRR firm (within the definition in Article 4(1)(2A) of the Capital Requirements Regulation);

7. (g)

   ‘authorised investment firm’ means an investment firm within the meaning given in Article 2(1A) of the MIFIR which:

   1. (i)

      has its registered office or head office in the United Kingdom;

   2. (ii)

      has permission under Part 4A of the FSMA to carry on regulated activities relating to investment services and activities (as defined in Article 2(1)(2) of the MIFIR) in the United Kingdom;

   3. (iii)

      would require authorisation under Directive 2014/65/EU (as it had effect immediately before IP completion day) if it had its registered office (or if it does not have a registered office, its head offices) in an EEA state; and

   4. (iv)

      is not a firm which has permission under Part 4A of the FSMA to carry on regulated activities as an exempt investment firm, within the meaning of regulation 8 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017.

8. (h)

   ‘exit day’ has the meaning given in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2020.

1. (1)

   A client may only provide indirect clearing services to indirect clients provided that all of the following conditions are fulfilled:

   1. (a)

      the client is an authorised credit institution or investment firm or an entity established in a third country that would be considered to be a credit institution or investment firm if that entity were established in the United Kingdom;

   2. (b)

      the client provides indirect clearing services on reasonable commercial terms and publicly discloses the general terms and conditions under which it provides those services;

   3. (c)

      the clearing member has agreed to the general terms and conditions referred to in point (b) of this paragraph.

2. (2)

   The client referred to in paragraph 1 and the indirect client shall conclude, in writing, an indirect clearing arrangement. The indirect clearing arrangement shall include at least the following contractual terms:

   1. (a)

      the general terms and conditions referred to in paragraph 1(b);

   2. (b)

      the client's commitment to honour all obligations of the indirect client towards the clearing member with regard to the transactions covered by the indirect clearing arrangement.

   All aspects of the indirect clearing arrangement shall be clearly documented.

3. (3)

   A CCP shall not prevent the conclusion of indirect clearing arrangements that are entered into on reasonable commercial terms.

1. (1)

   A CCP shall open and maintain any of the accounts referred to in Article 4(4) in accordance with the request of the clearing member.

2. (2)

   A CCP that holds the assets and positions of several indirect clients in an account as referred to in Article 4(4)(b) shall keep separate records of the positions of each indirect client, calculate the margins in respect of each indirect client and collect the sum of those margins on a gross basis, based on the information referred to in Article 4(3).

3. (3)

   A CCP shall identify, monitor and manage any material risks arising from the provision of indirect clearing services that could affect the resilience of the CCP to adverse market developments.

1. (1)

   A clearing member that provides indirect clearing services shall do so on reasonable commercial terms and shall publicly disclose the general terms and conditions under which it provides those services.

   The general terms and conditions referred to in the first subparagraph shall include the minimum financial resources and operational capacity requirements for clients that provide indirect clearing services.

2. (2)

   A clearing member that provides indirect clearing services shall open and maintain at least the following accounts in accordance with the request of the client:

   1. (a)

      an omnibus account with the assets and positions held by that client for the account of its indirect clients;

   2. (b)

      an omnibus account with the assets and positions held by that client for the account of its indirect clients, in which the clearing member shall ensure that the positions of an indirect client do not offset the positions of another indirect client and that the assets of an indirect client cannot be used to cover the positions of another indirect client.

3. (3)

   A clearing member holding assets and positions for the account of several indirect clients in an account as referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall provide the CCP on a daily basis with all the necessary information to allow the CCP to identify the positions held for the account of each indirect client. That information shall be based on the information referred to in Article 5(4).

4. (4)

   A clearing member that provides indirect clearing services shall at least open and maintain in the CCP the following accounts in accordance with the request made by the client:

   1. (a)

      a segregated account for the exclusive purpose of holding the assets and positions of indirect clients held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in paragraph 2(a);

   2. (b)

      a segregated account for the exclusive purpose of holding the assets and positions of indirect clients of each client held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in paragraph 2(b).

5. (5)

   A clearing member shall establish procedures to manage the default of a client that provides indirect clearing services.

6. (6)

   A clearing member holding the assets and positions of indirect clients in an account as referred to in paragraph 2(a) shall:

   1. (a)

      ensure that the procedures referred to in paragraph 5 allow for the prompt liquidation of those assets and positions following the default of a client, including the liquidation of those assets and positions at the level of the CCP, and include a detailed procedure to communicate to the indirect clients the default of the client and the expected period of time to liquidate the assets and positions of those indirect clients;

   2. (b)

      after the completion of the default management process for the default of a client, readily return to that client, for the account of the indirect clients, any balance owed from the liquidation of those assets and positions.

7. (7)

   A clearing member holding assets and positions of indirect clients in an account as referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall:

   1. (a)

      include in the procedures referred to in paragraph 5:

      1. (i)

         the steps to transfer the assets and positions held by a defaulting client for the account of its indirect clients to another client or to a clearing member;

      2. (ii)

         the steps to pay each indirect client the proceeds from the liquidation of the assets and positions of that indirect client;

      3. (iii)

         a detailed procedure to communicate to the indirect clients the default of the client and the expected period of time to liquidate the assets and positions of those indirect clients;

   2. (b)

      contractually commit itself to trigger the procedures for the transfer of the assets and positions held by a defaulting client for the account of its indirect clients to another client or clearing member that has been designated by the relevant indirect clients of the defaulting client at the request of those indirect clients and without obtaining the consent of the defaulting client. That other client or clearing member shall be obliged to accept those assets and positions only where that other client or clearing member has previously entered into a contractual relationship with those relevant indirect clients committing to do so;

   3. (c)

      ensure that the procedures referred to in paragraph 5 allow for the prompt liquidation of those assets and positions following the default of a client, including the liquidation of those assets and positions at the level of the CCP, in case the transfer referred to in point (b) has not taken place for any reason within a predefined transfer period specified in the indirect clearing arrangement;

   4. (d)

      following the liquidation of those assets and positions, contractually commit itself to trigger the procedures for the payment of the liquidation proceeds to each of the indirect clients;

   5. (e)

      where the clearing member has not been able to identify the indirect clients or to complete the payment of the liquidation proceeds referred to in point (d) to each of the indirect clients, readily return to the client for the account of the indirect clients any balance owed from the liquidation of those assets and positions.

8. (8)

   A clearing member shall identify, monitor and manage any material risks arising from the provision of indirect clearing services that could affect its resilience to adverse market developments. The clearing member shall establish internal procedures to ensure that the information referred to in Article 5(8) cannot be used for commercial purposes.

1. (1)

   A client that provides indirect clearing services shall offer indirect clients a choice between at least the types of accounts referred to in Article 4(2) and shall ensure that those indirect clients are fully informed about the different levels of segregation and the risks associated with each type of account.

2. (2)

   The client referred to in paragraph 1 shall assign one of the types of accounts referred to in Article 4(2) to indirect clients that have not chosen one within a reasonable period of time established by the client. The client shall inform the indirect client about the risks associated with the type of account assigned without undue delay. The indirect client may choose a different type of account at any time by requesting so in writing to the client.

3. (3)

   A client that provides indirect clearing services shall keep separate records and accounts that enable it to distinguish between its own assets and positions and those held for the account of its indirect clients.

4. (4)

   Where the assets and positions of several indirect clients are held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in Article 4(2)(b), the client shall provide the clearing member with all the necessary information on a daily basis to allow the clearing member to identify the positions held for the account of each indirect client.

5. (5)

   A client that provides indirect clearing services shall, in accordance with the choice of its indirect clients, request the clearing member to open and maintain in the CCP the accounts referred to in Article 4(4).

6. (6)

   A client shall provide its indirect clients with sufficient information to allow those indirect clients to identify the CCP and the clearing member used to clear their positions.

7. (7)

   Where the assets and positions of one or more indirect clients are held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in Article 4(2)(b), the client shall include in the indirect clearing arrangement with its indirect clients all necessary terms and conditions to ensure that, in the case of default of that client, the clearing member may promptly return to the indirect clients the proceeds from the liquidation of the positions and assets held for the account of those indirect clients in accordance with Article 4(7).

8. (8)

   A client shall provide the clearing member with sufficient information to identify, monitor and manage any material risks arising from the provision of indirect clearing services that could affect the resilience of the clearing member.

9. (9)

   A client shall have arrangements in place to ensure that, when it defaults, all information it holds in respect of its indirect clients is made immediately available to the clearing member, including the identity of the indirect clients referred to in Article 5(4).

1. (1)

   An indirect client may only provide indirect clearing services to second indirect clients provided that the parties to the indirect clearing arrangements fulfil one of the requirements set out in paragraph 2 and that all of the following conditions are met:

   1. (a)

      the indirect client is an authorised credit institution or investment firm or an entity established in a third country that would be considered to be a credit institution or investment firm if that entity were established in the United Kingdom;

   2. (b)

      the indirect client and the second indirect client conclude, in writing, an indirect clearing arrangement. The indirect clearing arrangement shall include at least the following contractual terms:

      1. (i)

         the general terms and conditions referred to in Article 2(1)(b);

      2. (ii)

         the indirect client's commitment to honour all obligations of the second indirect client towards the client with regard to transactions covered by the indirect clearing arrangement;

   3. (c)

      the assets and positions of the second indirect client are held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in Article 4(2)(a).

   All aspects of the indirect clearing arrangement referred to in point (b) shall be clearly documented.

2. (2)

   For the purposes of paragraph 1, the parties to the indirect clearing arrangements shall fulfil one of the following requirements:

   1. (a)

      the clearing member and the client are part of the same group, but the indirect client is not part of that group;

   2. (b)

      the client and the indirect client are part of the same group, but neither the clearing member nor the second indirect client is part of that group.

3. (3)

   For indirect clearing arrangements entered into by parties in the situation referred to in paragraph 2(a):

   1. (a)

      Articles 4(1), 4(5), 4(6) and 4(8) shall apply to the client as if that client were a clearing member;

   2. (b)

      Articles 2(1)(b), 5(2), 5(3), 5(6), 5(8) and 5(9) shall apply to the indirect client as if that indirect client were a client.

4. (4)

   For indirect clearing arrangements entered into by parties in the situation referred to in paragraph 2(b):

   1. (a)

      Articles 4(5) and 4(6) shall apply to the client as if that client were a clearing member;

   2. (b)

      Articles 2(1)(b), 5(2), 5(3), 5(6), 5(8) and 5(9) shall apply to the indirect client as if that indirect client were a client.

1. (1)

   A second indirect client may only provide indirect clearing services to third indirect clients provided that all of the following conditions are met:

   1. (a)

      the indirect client and the second indirect client are authorised credit institutions or an investment firms or entities established in a third country that would be considered to be a credit institution or an investment firm if that entity were established in the United Kingdom;

   2. (b)

      the clearing member and the client are part of the same group, but the indirect client is not part of that group;

   3. (c)

      the indirect client and the second indirect client are part of the same group, but the third indirect client is not part of that group;

   4. (d)

      the second indirect client and the third indirect client conclude, in writing, an indirect clearing arrangement. The indirect clearing arrangement shall include at least the following contractual terms:

      1. (i)

         the general terms and conditions referred to in Article 2(1)(b);

      2. (ii)

         the second indirect client's commitment to honour all obligations of the third indirect client towards the indirect client with regard to transactions covered by the indirect clearing arrangement;

   5. (e)

      the assets and positions of the third indirect client are held by the clearing member in an account as referred to in Article 4(2)(a).

   All aspects of the indirect clearing arrangement referred to in point (d) of the first subparagraph shall be clearly documented.

2. (2)

   Where second indirect clients provide indirect clearing services pursuant to paragraph 1:

   1. (a)

      Articles 4(1), 4(5), 4(6) and 4(8) shall apply to both the client and to the indirect client as if they were clearing members;

   2. (b)

      Articles 2(1)(b), 5(2), 5(3), 5(6), 5(8) and 5(9) shall apply to both the indirect client and the second indirect client as if they were clients.

1. (1)

   In relation to the degree of standardisation of the contractual terms and operational processes of the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts, the Bank of England shall take into consideration:

   1. (a)

      whether the contractual terms of the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts incorporate common legal documentation, including master netting agreements, definitions, standard terms and confirmations which set out contract specifications commonly used by counterparties;

   2. (b)

      whether the operational processes of that relevant class of OTC derivative contracts are subject to automated post-trade processing and lifecycle events that are managed in a common manner according to a timetable which is widely agreed among counterparties.

2. (2)

   In relation to the volume and liquidity of the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts, the Bank of England shall take into consideration:

   1. (a)

      whether the margins or financial requirements of the CCP would be proportionate to the risk that the clearing obligation intends to mitigate;

   2. (b)

      the stability of the market size and depth in respect of the product over time;

   3. (c)

      the likelihood that market dispersion would remain sufficient in the event of the default of a clearing member;

   4. (d)

      the number and the value of the transactions.

3. (3)

   In relation to the availability of fair, reliable and generally accepted pricing information in the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts, the Bank of England shall take into consideration whether the information needed to accurately price the contracts within the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts is easily accessible to market participants on a reasonable commercial basis and whether it would continue to be easily accessible if the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts became subject to the clearing obligation.

1. (1)

   The Bank of England public register shall include for each class of OTC derivative contracts subject to the clearing obligation:

   1. (a)

      the asset class of OTC derivative contracts;

   2. (b)

      the type of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   3. (c)

      the underlyings of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   4. (d)

      for underlyings which are financial instruments, an indication of whether the underlying is a single financial instrument or issuer or an index or portfolio;

   5. (e)

      for other underlyings an indication of the category of the underlying;

   6. (f)

      the notional and settlement currencies of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   7. (g)

      the range of maturities of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   8. (h)

      the settlement conditions of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   9. (i)

      the range of payment frequency of OTC derivative contracts within the class;

   10. (j)

       the product identifier of the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts;

   11. (k)

       any other characteristic required to distinguish one contract in the relevant class of OTC derivative contracts from another.

2. (2)

   In relation to CCPs that are authorised or recognised for the purpose of the clearing obligation, the Bank of England’s public register shall include for each CCP:

   1. (a)

      the identification code, in accordance with Article 3 of Implementing Commission Regulation (EU) No 1247/2012;

   2. (b)

      the full name;

   3. (c)

      the country of establishment;

3. (3)

   In relation to the dates from which the clearing obligation takes effect, including any phased-in implementation, the Bank of England’s public register shall include:

   1. (a)

      the identification of the categories of counterparties to which each phase-in period applies;

   2. (b)

      any other condition required pursuant to the technical standards made, or adopted (and forming part of domestic law), under Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, in order for the phase-in period to apply.

4. (4)

   The Bank of England’s public register shall include the reference of the technical standards made, or adopted (and forming part of domestic law), under Article 5(2) of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, according to which each clearing obligation was established.

1. (1)

   Liquidity fragmentation shall be deemed to occur when the participants in a trading venue are unable to conclude a transaction with one or more other participants in that venue because of the absence of clearing arrangements to which all participants have access.

2. (2)

   Access by a CCP to a trading venue which is already served by another CCP shall not be deemed to give rise to liquidity fragmentation within the trading venue if, without the need to impose a requirement on clearing members of the incumbent CCP to become clearing members of the requesting CCP, all participants to the trading venue can clear, directly or indirectly, through one of the following:

   1. (a)

      at least one CCP in common;

   2. (b)

      clearing arrangements established by the CCPs.

3. (3)

   The arrangements for the fulfilment of the conditions under point (a) or (b) of paragraph 2 shall be established before the requesting CCP starts providing clearing services to the relevant trading venue.

4. (4)

   Access to a common CCP as referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 may be established through two or more clearing members, or two or more clients or through indirect clearing arrangements.

5. (5)

   Clearing arrangements referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2 may foresee the transfer of transactions executed by such market participants to clearing members of other CCPs. Although access by a CCP to a trading venue should not require interoperability, an interoperability arrangement which has been agreed by the relevant CCPs and approved by the Bank of England may be used to fulfil the requirement for access to common clearing arrangements.

1. (1)

   An OTC derivative contract shall be objectively measurable as reducing risks directly relating to the commercial activity or treasury financing activity of the non-financial counterparty or of that group, when, by itself or in combination with other derivative contracts, directly or through closely correlated instruments, it meets one of the following criteria:

   1. (a)

      it covers the risks arising from the potential change in the value of assets, services, inputs, products, commodities or liabilities that the non-financial counterparty or its group owns, produces, manufactures, processes, provides, purchases, merchandises, leases, sells or incurs or reasonably anticipates owning, producing, manufacturing, processing, providing, purchasing, merchandising, leasing, selling or incurring in the normal course of its business;

   2. (b)

      it covers the risks arising from the potential indirect impact on the value of assets, services, inputs, products, commodities or liabilities referred to in point (a), resulting from fluctuation of interest rates, inflation rates, foreign exchange rates or credit risk;

   3. (c)

      it qualifies as a hedging contract pursuant to international accounting standards which are adopted for use within the United Kingdom by virtue of Chapter 2 or 3 of Part 2 of the International Accounting Standards and European Public Limited-Liability Company (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

The clearing thresholds values for the purpose of the clearing obligation shall be:

1. (a)

   EUR 1 billion in gross notional value for OTC credit derivative contracts;

2. (b)

   EUR 1 billion in gross notional value for OTC equity derivative contracts;

3. (c)

   EUR 3 billion in gross notional value for OTC interest rate derivative contracts;

4. (d)

   EUR 3 billion in gross notional value for OTC foreign exchange derivative contracts;

5. (e)

   EUR 3 billion in gross notional value for OTC commodity derivative contracts and other OTC derivative contracts not provided for under points (a) to (d).

1. (1)

   An OTC derivative contract concluded between financial counterparties or non-financial counterparties referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 and which is not cleared by a CCP shall be confirmed, where available via electronic means, as soon as possible and at the latest:

   1. (a)

      for credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are concluded up to and including 28 February 2014, by the end of the second business day following the date of execution of the OTC derivative contract;

   2. (b)

      for credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are concluded after 28 February 2014, by the end of the business day following the date of execution of the OTC derivative contract;

   3. (c)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded up to and including 31 August 2013, by the end of the third business day following the date of execution of the derivative contract;

   4. (d)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded after 31 August 2013 up to and including 31 August 2014, by the end of the second business day following the date of execution of the derivative contract;

   5. (e)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded after 31 August 2014, by the end of the business day following the date of execution of the derivative contract.

2. (2)

   An OTC derivative contract concluded with a non-financial counterparty not referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, shall be confirmed as soon as possible, where available via electronic means, and at the latest:

   1. (a)

      for credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are concluded up to and including 31 August 2013, by the end of the fifth business day following the date of execution of the OTC derivative contract;

   2. (b)

      for credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are concluded after 31 August 2013 up to and including 31 August 2014, by the end of the third business day following the date of execution of the OTC derivative contract;

   3. (c)

      for credit default swaps and interest rate swaps that are concluded after 31 August 2014, by the end of the second business day following the date of execution of the OTC derivative contract;

   4. (d)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded up to and including 31 August 2013, by the end of the seventh business day following the date of execution of the derivative contract;

   5. (e)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded after 31 August 2013 up to and including 31 August 2014, by the end of the fourth business day following the date of execution of the derivative contract;

   6. (f)

      for equity swaps, foreign exchange swaps, commodity swaps and all other derivatives not provided for in point (a) that are concluded after 31 August 2014, by the end of the second business day following the date of execution.

3. (3)

   Where a transaction referred to in paragraph 1 or 2 is concluded after 16.00 local time, or with a counterparty located in a different time zone which does not allow confirmation by the set deadline, the confirmation shall take place as soon as possible and, at the latest, one business day following the deadline set in paragraph 1 or 2 as relevant.

4. (4)

   Financial counterparties shall have the necessary procedure to report on a monthly basis to the FCA the number of unconfirmed OTC derivative transactions referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 that have been outstanding for more than five business days.

1. (1)

   Financial and non-financial counterparties to an OTC derivative contract shall agree in writing or other equivalent electronic means with each of their counterparties on the arrangements under which portfolios shall be reconciled. Such agreement shall be reached before entering into the OTC derivative contract.

2. (2)

   Portfolio reconciliation shall be performed by the counterparties to the OTC derivative contracts with each other or by a qualified third party duly mandated to this effect by a counterparty. The portfolio reconciliation shall cover key trade terms that identify each particular OTC derivative contract and shall include at least the valuation attributed to each contract in accordance with Article 11(2) of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.

3. (3)

   In order to identify at an early stage any discrepancy in a material term of the OTC derivative contract, including its valuation, the portfolio reconciliation shall be performed:

   1. (a)

      for a financial counterparty or a non-financial counterparty referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012:

      1. (i)

         each business day when the counterparties have 500 or more OTC derivative contracts outstanding with each other;

      2. (ii)

         once per week when the counterparties have between 51 and 499 OTC derivative contracts outstanding with each other at any time during the week;

      3. (iii)

         once per quarter when the counterparties have 50 or less OTC derivative contracts outstanding with each other at any time during the quarter;

   2. (b)

      for a non-financial counterparty not referred to in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012:

      1. (i)

         once per quarter when the counterparties have more than 100 OTC derivative contracts outstanding with each other at any time during the quarter;

      2. (ii)

         once per year when the counterparties have 100 or less OTC derivative contracts outstanding with each other.

Financial counterparties and non-financial counterparties with 500 or more OTC derivative contracts outstanding with a counterparty which are not centrally cleared shall have in place procedures to regularly, and at least twice a year, analyse the possibility to conduct a portfolio compression exercise in order to reduce their counterparty credit risk and engage in such a portfolio compression exercise.

Financial counterparties and non-financial counterparties shall ensure that they are able to provide a reasonable and valid explanation to the relevant competent authority for concluding that a portfolio compression exercise is not appropriate.

1. (1)

   When concluding OTC derivative contracts with each other, financial counterparties and non-financial counterparties shall have agreed detailed procedures and processes in relation to:

   1. (a)

      the identification, recording, and monitoring of disputes relating to the recognition or valuation of the contract and to the exchange of collateral between counterparties. Those procedures shall at least record the length of time for which the dispute remains outstanding, the counterparty and the amount which is disputed;

   2. (b)

      the resolution of disputes in a timely manner with a specific process for those disputes that are not resolved within five business days.

2. (2)

   Financial counterparties shall report to the FCA any disputes between counterparties relating to an OTC derivative contract, its valuation or the exchange of collateral for an amount or a value higher than EUR 15 million and outstanding for at least 15 business days.

1. (1)

   Market conditions that prevent marking-to market of an OTC derivative contract shall be considered to occur in either of the following situations:

   1. (a)

      when the market is inactive;

   2. (b)

      where the range of reasonable fair values estimates is significant and the probabilities of the various estimates cannot reasonably be assessed.

2. (2)

   A market for an OTC derivative contract shall be considered inactive when quoted prices are not readily and regularly available and those prices available do not represent actual and regularly occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis.

For using marking-to-model, financial and non-financial counterparties shall have a model that:

1. (a)

   incorporates all factors that counterparties would consider in setting a price, including using as much as possible marking-to-market information;

2. (b)

   is consistent with accepted economic methodologies for pricing financial instruments;

3. (c)

   is calibrated and tested for validity using prices from any observable current market transactions in the same financial instrument or based on any available observable market data;

4. (d)

   is validated and monitored independently, by another division than the division taking the risk;

5. (e)

   is duly documented and approved by the board of directors as frequently as necessary, following any material change and at least annually. This approval may be delegated to a committee.

1. (1)

   The application or notification to the competent authority of the details of the intragroup transaction shall be in writing and shall include:

   1. (a)

      the legal counterparties to the transactions including their identifiers in accordance with Article 4 of the EMIR Technical Standards on the Standards, Formats, Frequency and Methods and Arrangements for Reporting 2023;1

   2. (b)

      the corporate relationship between the counterparties;

   3. (c)

      details of the supporting contractual relationships between the parties;

   4. (d)

      the category of intragroup transaction as specified under paragraph 1 and points (a) to (d) of paragraph 2 of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012;

   5. (e)

      details of the transactions for which the counterparty is seeking the exemption, including:

      1. (i)

         the asset class of OTC derivative contracts;

      2. (ii)

         the type of OTC derivative contracts;

      3. (iii)

         the type of underlyings;

      4. (iv)

         the notional and settlement currencies;

      5. (v)

         the range of contract tenors;

      6. (vi)

         the settlement type;

      7. (vii)

         the anticipated size, volumes and frequency of OTC derivative contracts per annum.

2. (2)

   As part of its application or notification to the relevant competent authority, a counterparty shall also submit supporting information evidencing that the conditions of Article 11(8) and (9) of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 are fulfilled. The supporting documents shall include copies of documented risk management procedures, historical transaction information, copies of the relevant contracts between the parties and may include a legal opinion upon request from the competent authority.

The information on an intragroup exemption to be disclosed publicly shall include:

1. (a)

   the legal counterparties to the transactions including their identifiers in accordance with Article 4 of the EMIR Technical Standards on the Standards, Formats, Frequency and Methods and Arrangements for Reporting 2023;1

2. (b)

   the relationship between the counterparties;

3. (c)

   whether the exemption is a full exemption or a partial exemption;

4. (d)

   the notional aggregate amount of the OTC derivative contracts for which the intragroup exemption applies.

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Articles 13, 14 and 15 shall apply six months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation.