2026-05-12
The Austrian Federal Minister of Finance issued this Act to implement EU Regulation 2024/3005, designating the Financial Market Authority (FMA) as the national competent authority for monitoring ESG rating activities. The FMA is granted specific powers to conduct on-site inspections, request information, and enforce administrative fines imposed by ESMA against non-compliant rating providers. The legislation establishes mandatory cooperation and information exchange protocols with ESMA and other EU regulators, while codifying professional secrecy rules for shared data.
All English translation of the authentic German text is unofficial and serves merely information purposes. The official wording in German can be found in the Austrian Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt; BGBl.). All translations have been prepared with great care, but linguistic compromises had to be made. The reader should also bear in mind that some provisions of these laws will remain unclear without certain background knowledge of the Austrian legal and political system. Please note that these laws may be amended in the future and check occasionally for updates. FEDERAL ACT IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/3005 ON THE TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) RATING ACTIVITIES, AND AMENDING REGULATIONS (EU) 2019/2088 AND (EU) 2023/2859 (ESG-RATING-VERORDNUNG-VOLLZUGSGESETZ) ESG Ratings Regulation Enforcement Act (ESG-RatingVerordnung-Vollzugsgesetz) Original Version: Federal Law Gazette I No. 28/2026 Date: 12.05.2026
ESG Ratings Regulation Enforcement Act (ESG-Rating-Verordnung-Vollzugsgesetz) 2 / 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Text.......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Purpose of this Act........................................................................................................................ 3 Competent Authority ................................................................................................................... 3 Obligations and Powers of the FMA............................................................................................. 3 Cooperation.................................................................................................................................. 4 Exchange of information.............................................................................................................. 4 Enforcement of ESMA administrative penalties.......................................................................... 4 Professional secrecy..................................................................................................................... 4 Gender-neutral use of language .................................................................................................. 5 References .................................................................................................................................... 5 Entry into force............................................................................................................................. 5 Enforcement................................................................................................................................. 5
ESG Ratings Regulation Enforcement Act (ESG-Rating-Verordnung-Vollzugsgesetz) 3 / 5 TEXT Purpose of this Act Article 1. This Federal Act serves the purpose of implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 on the transparency and integrity of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating activities, and amending Regulations (EU) 2019/2088 and (EU) 2023/2859. Competent Authority Article 2. Pursuant to Article 30 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, the FMA shall be the competent authority for monitoring compliance with this Federal Act and the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. Obligations and Powers of the FMA Article 3. (1) The FMA shall be required to provide assistance to ESMA, where requested to do so pursuant to Article 33 (4) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, when general investigations are being conducted in Austria. (2) The FMA as well as other persons authorised or appointed by the FMA shall actively assist ESMA, where requested to do so by ESMA pursuant to Article 34 (5) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 in an onsite inspection conducted in Austria. (3) Where requested to do so by ESMA to conduct the specific investigative activities stated in Article 34 (6) and Article 33 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 the FMA shall perform such activities and to conduct on-site inspections of behalf of ESMA. The powers stated in Article 34 and Article 33 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 shall be conferred upon the FMA. (4) The FMA shall provide ESMA with the necessary assistance in the conducting of on-site inspections pursuant to Article 34 (7) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, where ESMA determines a person opposes an on-site inspection as ordered in accordance with Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. Articles 119 to 122 of the Code on Criminal Procedure 1975 (StPO; Strafprozeßordnung 1975), published in Federal Law Gazette no. 631/1975, shall apply accordingly; where the affected party opposes the FMA’s intended measure, the Federal Administrative Court (BVwG; Bundesverwaltungsgericht) shall decide by means of a resolution about the FMA’s request, applying the principle of legality and proportionality in accordance with Article 5 StPO. The FMA shall be required to justify its request for an inspection and the submit it to the Federal Administrative Court along with the relevant files. (5) Pursuant to Article 43 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, the FMA shall be authorised to conduct the following supervisory tasks pursuant to the ESMA Guidelines issued in accordance with Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010, where they have been conferred upon it by ESMA:
ESG Ratings Regulation Enforcement Act (ESG-Rating-Verordnung-Vollzugsgesetz) 4 / 5 2. the power to conduct investigations and on-site inspections pursuant to Articles 33 and 34 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. Cooperation Article 4. (1) The FMA shall cooperate with the competent authorities of other Member States and ESMA in enforcing this Federal Act and Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. (2) Where the FMA determines that a rating provider breaches this Regulation in Austria or in another Member State, then the FMA shall be required to inform ESMA of this pursuant to Article 45 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. Where the FMA deems it appropriate for the purposes of investigations, it may suggest to ESMA to make use of the powers pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. (3) If the FMA considers that an ESG rating provider listed in a register pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 whose ESG ratings are used in Austria has breached Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 in a manner that significantly impairs investor protection or the stability of the Austrian financial system, the FMA may request ESMA to suspend the provision of ESG ratings by the ESG rating provider concerned pursuant to Article 45 (3) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005. The FMA shall inform ESMA about all reasons that justify its request. Exchange of information Article 5. Pursuant to Article 44 of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, the FMA shall provide ESMA will all information that it requires for carrying out its duties under Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 or its respective supervisory powers and mandates. Enforcement of ESMA administrative penalties Article 6. Pursuant to Article 38 (3) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, the FMA shall enforce fines and periodic penalty payments in Austria imposed by ESMA. The enforcement shall occur in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Enforcement Act 1991 (VVG; Verwaltungsvollstreckungsgesetz 1991), published in Federal Law Gazette no. 53/1991. Professional secrecy Article 7. (1) The obligation of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 46 (1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 shall apply to the FMA. (2) All information that the FMA exchanges within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 with ESMA, EBA and EIOPA, as well as the European Systemic Risk Board established by Regulation (EU) 1092/2010 and that concern business or operational conditions or other economic or personal matters, shall be considered confidential pursuant to Article 46 (2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005, except where:
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