Preamble

Whereas:

1. (1)

   The format of the weekly report on aggregate positions held by different categories of persons for the different commodity derivatives or emission allowances or derivatives thereof traded on trading venues should break positions down into positions which in an objectively measurable way reduce risks directly relating to commercial activities, other and total positions in order to provide transparency on the split between financial and non-financial related activities in such commodity derivatives, emission allowances or derivatives thereof.

2. (2)

   The format of daily reports providing a complete breakdown of investment firms' and their clients' positions in commodity derivatives or emission allowances or derivatives thereof traded on trading venues and economically equivalent over-the-counter (OTC) contracts should be structured to support the monitoring and application of position limits under Article 57 of Directive 2014/65/EU.

3. (3)

   Positions that have arisen as a consequence of buy and sell trades spread between different delivery dates or commodities or as a result of other complex strategies should be reported on a disaggregated basis unless the combination of products is traded as a single financial instrument identified by an ISIN and the positions held in it are subject to a specific limit.

4. (4)

   To carry out their duties effectively and consistently, the relevant authorities and the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) should be provided with data that can be compared across investment firms and market operators operating trading venues. The use of a common format across different financial market infrastructures facilitates its greater use by a wide variety of market participants, thus promoting standardisation.

5. (5)

   To facilitate straight through processing and the reduction of costs to market participants, standard formats should be used across investment firms and market operators operating trading venues.

6. (6)

   The new legislation of the European Parliament and of the Council on markets in financial instruments set out in Directive 2014/65/EU and Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council applies from 3 January 2018. To ensure consistency and legal certainty, this Regulation should apply from the same date.

7. (7)

   This Regulation is based on the draft implementing technical standards submitted by ESMA to the Commission.

8. (8)

   ESMA has conducted open public consultations on the draft implementing technical standards on which this Regulation is based, analysed the potential related costs and benefits and requested the opinion of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group established in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council,