CP15/11: Implementing the TDAD and Transparency Rule Changes

Directive 2004/109/EC or the Transparency Directive (TD) operates principally to harmonise the requirements on companies regarding information disclosure. The TD (i) focuses on what information companies must disclose periodically, how they handle investor disclosures and how they distribute regulated information and; (ii) ensures that investors disclose their stakes in companies. Directive 2013/50/EU or the Transparency Directive Amending Directive (TDAD) amends the TD. It also amends Directive 2007/14/EC (the Transparency Directive Implementing Directive (TDID)) and Directive 2003/71/EC (the Prospectus Directive (PD)). The implementation of the TDAD is a responsibility that is shared between HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Consultation Paper CP15/11 concerns the implementation of the TDAD and other Disclosure Rule and Transparency Rule changes. The European Commission reviewed the TD and the TDAD came into force on 26 November 2013. It undertakes a revision of the regime for notification of major holdings of voting rights, introducing the rule of aggregation of holdings of shares with holdings of financial instruments and harmonising the calculation of notification thresholds and exemptions from the notification requirements.

It is required that each Member State must implement the TDAD within 24 months of that date. At the Treasury’s request, the FCA implemented the new requirement to report on payments to governments, which is effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2015. Moreover, the FCA has already removed the requirement to publish interim management statements from the DTRs. Both changes are reflected in the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules (DTRs) contained in the FCA Handbook. The implementation of the remaining provisions of the TDAD are addressed in this consultation. It is a joint consultation between HM Treasury and the FCA