2022-02-28
The European Securities and Markets Authority, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and the Financial Markets Authority established this Memorandum of Understanding to define cooperation arrangements for the supervision of New Zealand central counterparties recognized under EMIR. The agreement mandates information exchange and coordinated oversight to ensure these entities comply with EU recognition conditions and to monitor risks to the European financial system. It outlines specific procedures for notification of material events, emergency situations, and requests for information to facilitate effective cross-border regulatory enforcement.
Memorandum of Understanding European Securities and Markets Authority and The Reserve Bank of New Zealand and The Financial Markets Authority
2 Memorandum of Understanding between ESMA, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the Financial Markets Authority Related to CCPs Established in New Zealand The supervision of the Covered CCPs is based upon close cooperation and the Authorities' mutual respect for each jurisdiction's regulatory regime and each Authority's supervisory practices. The Authorities by signing this Memorandum of Understanding affirm their willingness to cooperate and exchange information to proportionately fulfil their respective supervisory and regulatory responsibilities with respect to the CCPs established in New Zealand that have applied or that may apply to the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA") for recognition as third-country CCPs or that are already recognised by ESMA as third-country CCPs (“Covered CCPs"), pursuant to Article 25 of Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (“EMIR")1 . Whilst ESMA has direct supervision and enforcement powers over the Covered CCPs under Articles 25f, 25i to 25m and 25p of EMIR, ESMA agrees, in fulfilling its regulatory mandate, to establish a framework for cooperation with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (“RBNZ”) and the Financial Markets Authority (“FMA”) as the relevant primary authorities accountable for the resilience of the Covered CCPs in New Zealand. ESMA's oversight of such CCPs generally would focus on the potential risks related to their interlinkages to the EU financial system, and the risks that this could pose to the financial system of the EU or one of its Member States. Article 25(2)(c) of EMIR requires the establishment of cooperation arrangements as one of the conditions for ESMA to recognise Covered CCPs established in New Zealand to provide clearing services to clearing members or trading venues established in the European Union. Under Article 25(6) of EMIR, the European Commission has adopted the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/22742 (“Equivalence Decision”) determining that i) the legal and supervisory arrangements of New Zealand ensure that Covered CCPs comply on an ongoing basis with legally binding requirements which are equivalent to the requirements of EMIR (provided that the Covered CCPs fulfil the Equivalence Conditions, where relevant), ii) Covered CCPs are subject to effective supervision and enforcement in New Zealand on an ongoing basis, and iii) the legal framework of New Zealand provides for an effective equivalent system for the recognition of CCPs. Article 25(7) of EMIR specifies the minimum scope of the cooperation arrangements. Further, Article 25(7) of EMIR requires ESMA to inform the European Commission confidentially and without delay of any failure by any third-country competent authority to apply any of the provisions of the cooperation arrangement, and the European Commission may decide to review its implementing act adopted for that third country pursuant to Article 25(6) of EMIR. Moreover, in accordance with Article 25p(d) of EMIR, ESMA has to withdraw a recognition decision adopted under Article 25 of EMIR, where ESMA is unable to exercise effectively its 1 Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories; OJ L 201, 27.7.2012, p. 1–59 2 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/2274 of 15 December 2016 on the equivalence of the regulatory framework for central counterparties in New Zealand in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 342, 16.12.2016, p. 54–56
3 responsibilities over the third-country CCP concerned, due to the failure of the third-country competent authority of that CCP to provide ESMA with all relevant information or cooperate with ESMA in accordance with Article 25(7) of EMIR. Furthermore, Article 25(6b) of EMIR requires ESMA to monitor regulatory and supervisory developments of third countries in respect of which the European Commission has adopted equivalence decisions pursuant to Article 25(6) of EMIR. Regulation (EU) No 2019/2099 (“EMIR 2.2”)3 enhanced the EU framework for recognition and supervision of third-country CCPs and expanded ESMA’s role and powers. In this regard and for the purposes of the recognition, ESMA determines the systemic importance of a thirdcountry CCP applying or having applied for recognition, or that is already recognised, in accordance with the criteria set out in 25(2a) of EMIR, as further specified by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/13034 . Based on the assessment of these criteria ESMA determines whether the third-country CCP i) is not or is not likely to become systemically important (a “Tier 1 CCP”); or ii) is or is likely to become systemically important (a “Tier 2 CCP”), subject to periodic reviews as per Article 25(5) of EMIR. Therefore, the purpose of this MoU is: 1) ensuring the fulfilment of the condition set out in Article 25(2)(c) and as further specified in Article 25(7) of EMIR, i.e., that cooperation arrangements have been established as regards the Covered CCPs, including as regards information sharing related to the Covered CCPs and to regulatory and supervisory developments in New Zealand; and 2) providing ESMA with adequate tools to assess compliance and to monitor the ongoing compliance by the Covered CCPs with the Recognition Conditions. This MoU also recognises the role of the European Central Bank and other central banks of issue under EMIR. This MoU is an arrangement between the RBNZ, the FMA and ESMA and not a collective arrangement with other European Union authorities. As such, it will not impact any arrangements which may be agreed directly between other European Union authorities and the RBNZ or the FMA. 3 Regulation (EU) 2019/2099 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 as regards the procedures and authorities involved for the authorisation of CCPs and requirements for the recognition of third-country CCPs, OJ L 322, 12.12.2019, p. 1–44 4 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/13034 of 14 July 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the criteria that ESMA should take into account to determine whether a central counterparty established in a third country is systemically important or likely to become systemically important for the financial stability of the Union or of one or more of its Member States, OJ L 305, 21.9.2020, p. 7–12
4 Article 1 Definitions For the purpose of this MoU: a) “Authority” means a signatory to this MoU or any successor thereto; b) “Books and Records” means documents, electronic media, and books and records within the possession, custody and control of, and other information about, a Covered CCP; c) “Central Counterparty or CCP” means a legal person that interposes itself between the counterparties to the contracts traded on one or more financial markets, becoming the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer; d) “Covered CCP” means a CCP established in New Zealand and supervised by the RBNZ and the FMA that has applied or that may apply to ESMA for recognition as a third-country CCP pursuant to Article 25 of EMIR or a CCP established in New Zealand and supervised by the RBNZ and the FMA, pursuant to the Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021, that is already recognised by ESMA as a third-country CCP, pursuant to Article 25 of EMIR; e) “Emergency Situation” means the occurrence of an event that could materially impair the financial or operational condition of a Covered CCP, including developments in financial markets, which may have an adverse effect on market liquidity and the stability of the financial system in the EU or one of its Member States; f) “Governmental Entity” means: i. If the Requesting Authority is the RBNZ; ii. If the Requesting Authority is the FMA; and iii. If the Requesting Authority is ESMA: (a) the competent authority of a Member State in the European Union in which the Covered CCP provides or intends to provide clearing services and which has been selected by the Covered CCP; (b) the competent authorities responsible for the supervision of the clearing members of the Covered CCP that are established in the three Member States, of the European Union, which make or are anticipated by the Covered CCP to make the largest contributions to the default fund of the Covered CCP referred to in Article 42 of EMIR on an aggregate basis over a one-year period; (c) the competent authorities responsible for the supervision of trading
5 venues located in the European Union, served or to be served by the Covered CCP; (d) the competent authorities supervising CCPs established in the European Union with which the Covered CCP has established interoperability arrangements; (e) the relevant members of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) of the Member States, of the European Union, in which the Covered CCP provides or intends to provide clearing services and the relevant members of the ESCB responsible for the oversight of the CCPs established in the European Union with which the Covered CCP has established interoperability arrangements; (f) the central bank(s) of issue of any of the EU currencies of the financial instruments cleared or to be cleared by the Covered CCP (“CBI”); (g) each of the members, except for the chair and the two independent members who are staff of ESMA, of the third-country CCP college described in Article 25c of EMIR in their legal capacity as members of the college and for purposes of their college responsibilities with regard to a Covered CCP; g) "Laws and Regulations" means, in relation to ESMA, applicable European Union legislation within ESMA's scope of action as set out in Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) No. 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), amending Decision No 716/2009/EC and repealing Commission Decision 2009/77/EC5, and in relation to the RBNZ and the FMA, applicable RBNZ Act 1989, FMI Act 2021 and Financial Markets Authority Act 2011 legislation; h) "On-site Visits" means any regulatory visit by ESMA to the premises of a Covered CCP located in New Zealand, including inspection of Books and Records; i) "Person" includes a natural person, unincorporated association, partnership, trust, investment company or corporation and may be a Covered CCP; j) “Recognition Conditions” means the conditions set out in Article 25(2) of EMIR, and, where relevant, the conditions set out in the European Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/2274 (‘Equivalence Decision’); 5 Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), amending Decision No 716/2009/EC and repealing Commission Decision 2009/77/EC OJ L 331, 15.12.2010, p. 84–119
6 k) "Requested Authority" means the Authority to whom a request is made under this MoU; and l) "Requesting Authority" means the Authority making a request under this MoU. Article 2 General provisions
7 in fulfilment of its responsibilities and mandates. In particular, this MoU does not affect any right of any Authority to communicate with or obtain information or documents from any Person subject to its jurisdiction that is established in the territory of the other Authority. 6. The Authorities should, within the framework of this MoU, provide each other with the fullest cooperation permissible under their Laws and Regulations in relation to ESMA's assessment of compliance and monitoring of the ongoing compliance by the Covered CCPs with the Recognition Conditions, and the corresponding supervisory and enforcement powers of ESMA, as well as to ESMA’s monitoring of related regulatory and supervisory developments in New Zealand. Following consultation, cooperation may be denied: a) Where the cooperation would require an Authority to act in a manner that would violate its Laws and Regulations; or b) On the grounds of national public interest for the RBNZ and the FMA or of European public interest for ESMA. 7. The Authorities represent that as of the date of this MoU no domestic or EU laws or regulations should prevent them from providing assistance to one another. 8. The Authorities will endeavour to reach an understanding on the interpretation and application of this MoU. Where the Authorities encounter material differences of views related to the interpretation of a provision of this MoU, they should endeavour to make good faith efforts, through cooperation, consultations and discussions, to resolve such differences in order to reach mutually acceptable resolution of the issues raised. 9. To facilitate communication and cooperation under this MoU, the Authorities hereby designate contact persons as set forth in the Appendix A. Any modifications to the details of contact persons should be communicated without undue delay to the other Authorities. Article 3 Scope of cooperation
8 c) any other areas of mutual interest. 2. The Authorities recognise in particular the importance of close cooperation in the event that a Covered CCP, particularly one whose failure likely would be systemically important to an Authority, experiences, or is threatened by, a potential financial crisis or other Emergency Situation. An Authority should provide notification to the other Authority consistent with Article 3(4) below and should keep the other Authority appropriately informed throughout the Emergency Situation. The RBNZ and the FMA should lead in an Emergency Situation and should consult with and take account of the views of ESMA to the greatest extent possible. ESMA should coordinate with the relevant CBI(s) regarding an Emergency Situation of a Covered CCP and any emergency measures that the CBI may consider appropriate. 3. Cooperation will be most useful in circumstances where issues of regulatory, supervisory or enforcement concern may arise, including but not limited to: a) the initial application of a Covered CCP for recognition in the European Union pursuant to Article 25 of EMIR and the periodic reviews of its recognition pursuant to Article 25(5) of EMIR; b) ESMA’s assessment of compliance and monitoring of the ongoing compliance by a Covered CCP with the Recognition Conditions; c) the tiering determination of a Covered CCP by ESMA pursuant to Article 25(2a) of EMIR; d) changes in a Covered CCP's internal rules, policies and procedures that could affect the way in which the Covered CCP complies with any Recognition Conditions; e) regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions or approvals taken by the RBNZ, the FMA or ESMA in relation to a Covered CCP, including changes to the relevant obligations and requirements to which the Covered CCPs are subject that may impact the Covered CCPs' continued compliance with the Recognition Conditions; and f) changes to regulatory status or requirements that could result in a change in the regulatory status of, relief granted to, or supervisory treatment of a Covered CCP and potentially could disrupt cross-border clearing arrangements. 4. Notification. The Authorities shall seek to inform each other as soon as possible of: a) any known material event that could adversely impact the financial or operational stability of a Covered CCP, including: i. where the Covered CCP is deemed to be in breach of the conditions of any authorisation or recognition, or of any laws or regulations to which it is subject;
9 ii. in an Emergency Situation, general information on the nature of the Emergency Situation and any action taken or likely to be taken as far as known to the Authority including, e.g., actual or prospective use of the Covered CCP’s default protections or recovery plans, or measures taken or plans to address the default or potential default of a clearing member or clearing participant; b) enforcement or regulatory actions or sanctions, including the withdrawal, revocation, suspension or modification of any authorisation or recognition concerning or related to a Covered CCP and which may have a material effect on the Covered CCP; c) any permission or approval granted to a Covered CCP to provide clearing services to clearing members, trading venues or, when known to the CCP, clients established in the European Union, including in respect of branches of entities established in the European Union; d) in respect of notification by ESMA to the RBNZ and the FMA, any request by ESMA to a Covered CCP to observe a measure that ESMA has adopted to ensure compliance with the Recognition Conditions or to cease a practice that ESMA determines is contrary to the Recognition Conditions; e) any material extension of the range of activities and services that a Covered CCP provides with respect to current or new asset classes or current or new European Union trading venues; f) significant changes to risk models and parameters of a Covered CCP; g) changes in the client account structure of a Covered CCP; h) changes in the use of payment systems of a Covered CCP that substantially affect the European Union; and i) material changes to the laws or regulations to which the Covered CCPs are subject. The information to be provided by an Authority pursuant to this paragraph will refer to the Covered CCPs authorised or recognised by that Authority. The determination of what constitutes “material event”, “adversely impact”, “material effect”, “material extension”, or “material changes” will be left to the reasonable discretion of the Authority providing the information. 5. Exchange of Written Information. Each Authority, upon written request, intends to provide the other Authority with assistance in obtaining information not otherwise available to the Requesting Authority and, where needed, interpreting such information so as to enable the Requesting Authority to assess compliance with the laws or regulations to which the Covered CCPs are subject, provided that the Authority is authorised to collect such information. Such requests shall be made pursuant to Article
10 4 of this MoU, and the Authorities anticipate that such requests will be made in a manner that is consistent with the goal of minimising administrative burdens. The information covered by this paragraph includes without limitation: a) information that would assist ESMA in assessing that a Covered CCP complies with the Recognition Conditions, both in the context of an initial recognition and periodic reviews of recognition, and, thereafter, on an ongoing basis; b) information that would assist the Requesting Authority in verifying that a Covered CCP complies with the relevant obligations and requirements of the Laws and Regulations of the Requesting Authority; c) information that would assist ESMA in verifying compliance with or enforcement of its request to a Covered CCP to observe a measure that ESMA has adopted to ensure compliance with the Recognition Conditions or to cease a practice that ESMA determines is contrary to the Recognition Conditions; d) information that would assist the Requesting Authority in understanding changes to the relevant obligations and requirements to which the Covered CCPs are subject under the Laws and Regulations of the Requested Authority; e) information relevant to the financial and operational condition of a Covered CCP, which might include periodic reports submitted directly by a Covered CCP to the Requested Authority; f) relevant regulatory information and filings that a Covered CCP is required to submit to the Requested Authority; and g) regulatory or supervisory reports and assessments, or findings or information contained therein, prepared by an Authority in respect of a Covered CCP. Article 4 Execution of requests for information
11 d) to whom, if anyone, including any Governmental Entity onward disclosure of information is likely to be necessary and the reason for any such disclosure; and e) the desired time period for reply and, where appropriate, the urgency thereof. Information responsive to the request, as well as any subsequent communication between the Authorities, may be transmitted electronically. Any electronic transmission should use means that are appropriately secure in light of the confidentiality of the information being transmitted. Any request submitted by ESMA to the RBNZ and the FMA on behalf of a CBI will be submitted in a manner consistent with Appendix B. 2. In Emergency Situations, the Authorities shall endeavour to notify each other of the Emergency Situation and communicate information between each other as deemed appropriate in the particular circumstances, taking into account all relevant factors, including the status of efforts to address the Emergency Situation. During Emergency Situations, requests for information may be made in any form, including orally, provided such communication is confirmed in writing as promptly as possible following such notification. Article 5 On-site Visits
12 ESMA will consider the supervisory activities of the RBNZ and the FMA given ESMA's reliance as appropriate on the supervision and enforcement capabilities of the RBNZ and the FMA in respect of the Covered CCPs and will consider any information that was made available or is capable of being made available by the RBNZ and the FMA. c) The RBNZ and the FMA will assist ESMA in reviewing, interpreting and analysing the contents of public and non-public Books and Records and obtaining information from directors and senior management of a Covered CCP. Article 6 Permissible Uses of information
13 Article 7 Confidentiality and onward sharing of information
14 6. The Authorities acknowledge that nothing in this Article prevents an Authority from disclosing information it receives directly from a Covered CCP. Article 8 Personal Data The Authorities acknowledge that the transfer of personal data will take place in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant data protection legislation applicable in the jurisdictions of the Authorities. The Authorities will also take into account whether an adequacy decision was adopted by the European Commission for transfers of personal data to the respective jurisdiction. Article 9 Successor authorities Where the relevant functions of an Authority are transferred or assigned to another authority or authorities, the terms of the MoU shall apply to the successor authority or authorities performing those relevant functions, such successor authority or authorities shall become a signatory or signatories to this MoU without the need for any further amendment to this MoU, and notice will beprovided to the other Authority. This will not affect the right of any Authority to give written notice as provided in Article 12(2) that it no longer wishes to be a signatory to this MoU if it wishes to do so. Article 10 Amendments The Authorities intend to periodically review the functioning and effectiveness of cooperation arrangements between the Authorities including in consideration of changes in the regulatory status of, relief granted to, or supervisory treatment of one or more Covered CCPs or in the relevant regulatory or supervisory regime in either jurisdiction. This MoU may be amended with the written consent of all signatories. Article 11 Taking Effect of the MoU This MoU will take effect on the date that it is signed by the Authorities, and, with effect from such date, will substitute the Memorandum of Understanding related to ESMA’s Monitoring of
15 the Ongoing Compliance with Recognition Conditions by Central Counterparties established in New Zealand entered into between the Authorities and dated 28 February 2017. Article 12 Termination
16 Signatures Date: 2 March 2022 European Securities and Markets Authority Verena Ross, Chair Reserve Bank of New Zealand Christian Hawkesby, Deputy Governor Financial Markets Authority Samantha Barrass, Chief Executive
17 Appendix A Contact Persons European Securities and Markets Authority The RBNZ The FMA Name: Mr. Klaus Löber, Chair of the CCP Supervisory Committee Telephone: +33158365195 Email: Klaus.Loeber@esma.europa. eu Name: Scott McKinnon, Senior Manager Supervision Telephone: + 64 29 222 0497 Email: scott.mckinnon@rbnz.go vt.nz Name: Head of Market Infrastructure Telephone: +64 9 300 0400 Email: ivana.ercegfloerchinger@fma. govt.nz Name: Ms. Nicoletta Giusto, Independent Member of the CCP Supervisory Committee Telephone: +33158365142 Email: Nicoletta.Giusto@esma.euro pa.eu Name: Ms. Froukelien Wendt, Independent Member of the CCP Supervisory Committee Telephone: +33158365110 Email: Froukelien.Wendt@esma.eur opa.eu
18 Appendix B Requests from a Central Bank of Issue for Information on a Covered CCP