Communication NBB_2018_26 / Renewal of Auditor Approval

NBB_2018_26 – September 21, 2018 Communication – P. 1/2 14 Berlaimont Boulevard – BE-1000 Brussels tel. +32 2 221 37 40 – fax +32 2 221 31.04 company number: 0203.201.340 RPM Brussels www.nbb.be Communication Brussels, September 21, 2018 Reference: NBB_2018_26 your contact: Kurt Van Raemdonck tel. +32 2 221 53 39 – fax +32 2 221 31 04 kurt.vanraemdonck@nbb.be Renewal of Auditor Approval Scope Auditors approved by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) based on the NBB Regulation of December 21, 2012, concerning the approval of auditors and audit firms (hereinafter "the Approval Regulation"). Summary/Objective An auditor's approval by the NBB is granted for a period of six years. At the end of this period, the approved auditor may submit a renewal application for a new six-year period. This communication specifies the form and content of the renewal application. Structure

1. Date of submission of the renewal application
2. Content of the renewal application
3. Communication with the NBB Dear Auditor, The approval of an auditor by the NBB is granted for a period of six years. Article 6 of the Approval Regulation defines how this approval can be renewed for a new six-year period.
4. Date of submission of the renewal application It is the responsibility of the approved auditor to submit the renewal application themselves, no earlier than six months and no later than three months before the expiration of the previous approval. It is important to submit the application on time; if there is any doubt regarding the exact expiration date of the previous approval, the approved auditor is invited to contact the NBB.

Communication – P. 2/2 NBB_2018_26 – September 21, 2018 2. Content of the renewal application The renewal application must be accompanied by a file containing at least the following documents:

• the address (email address and postal address) through which the approved auditor wishes to communicate regarding the renewal of approval;
• a certificate of registration with the IRE;
• a sworn statement stating that the applicant has not been convicted of offenses referred to in Article 20 of the Law of April 25, 2014, on the status and supervision of credit institutions;
• a detailed description of their participation during the last six years in mandates with regulated entities (nature of mandates, specific problems encountered by the auditor in the context of these mandates that may have led to a reservation or refusal of the certificate, use of the reporting function, recourse to experts, additional assignments, etc.);
• an evaluation of collaboration with the Bank during the last six years;
• an action plan for the future based on acquired experience and the evolving regulatory framework, both prudentially and at the audit level;
• a description of the firm's organization, by reference to the annual update referred to in Article 5, paragraph 2, or Article 14, paragraph 2, of the Approval Regulation, supplemented by any new elements;
• where applicable, the position (independent) held within the audit firm (cf. Article 2, paragraph 1, 6°, and Article 3, paragraph 1, 6°, in conjunction with Article 12, paragraph 1, 4°, f, of the Approval Regulation).

3. Communication with the NBB The renewal application must be sent by email to the NBB (Prudential Policy and Financial Stability Service) at the following email address: Supolaudit@nbb.be. To allow for optimal processing of files, auditors are required to communicate the following data to the NBB (at the address Supolaudit@nbb.be) by October 31, 2018 at the latest: i. the date on which they believe their approval will expire under the provisions of the Approval Regulation; and ii. the address (email address and postal address) at which the NBB can inform them of the imminent expiration of their approval. Please accept, Dear Auditor, the assurance of my distinguished consideration. Jan Smets Governor