Guidance · ESMA · 6 Nov 2024
The European Supervisory Authorities establish procedures for cooperation and information exchange between the ESAs and competent authorities regarding the oversight of critical ICT third-party service providers under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554. Competent authorities must submit registers of information to the ESAs for criticality assessments and share relevant data with NIS2 authorities, while the Lead Overseer must notify competent authorities of designation decisions, oversight plans, and inspection details within specified timelines. The guidelines mandate the exchange of information concerning the follow-up of recommendations, including remediation plans, penalty payments, and non-compliance notifications, within ten working days of receipt or adoption. Competent authorities are required to notify the respective ESA of their compliance status within two months of the issuance of the translated guidelines.
Joint Guidelines on the oversight cooperation and information exchange between the ESAs and the competent authorities under Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 JC/GL/2024/36 06/11/2024
Status of the Guidelines
These Guidelines are issued pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority); Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority); and Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority) (the ESAs’ Regulations) . The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) issue these Guidelines on the basis of Article 32(7) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (“DORA”)2 , according to which the ESAs shall issue guidelines on the cooperation between the ESAs and the competent authorities covering:
Section 1: General considerations
General aims and principles
These Guidelines aim at ensuring that the ESAs and the competent authorities have:
regular coordination within the Joint Oversight Network) and with other EU authorities (e. g. under Article 34(3), the LO may call on the ECB and ENISA to provide technical advice);
1.8 The ESAs and competent authorities should ensure that communication and information
exchange between the ESAs and competent authorities are accessible to, and inclusive for all parties involved, including those who may have language barriers or accessibility needs. In that context, the ESAs and competent authorities may use translation services or accessible communication tools, such as video conferencing software with closed captioning, provided data is protected from unauthorised use of third parties. Guideline 2: Timelines
2.1 In the event of specific circumstances that require prompt action or additional time to complete
the relevant task, the Lead Overseer may, in consultation with relevant competent authorities, reduce or extend the timelines described in points 5 to 12. The Lead Overseer should document the changes and the reasons for such changes. Guideline 3: Difference of opinions between ESAs and competent authorities
3.1 In case of divergent views regarding the oversight cooperation and information exchange, the
ESAs and competent authorities should strive to reach a mutually agreed solution. In cases where no such solution can be reached, the Lead Overseer should, in consultation with the Joint Oversight Network, present the difference of opinions to the Oversight Forum, which will present its views to find a mutually agreed solution. Guideline 4: Information exchange between ESAs and competent authorities in the context of their respective cooperation with competent authorities designated or established in accordance with NIS2 (NIS2 authorities)
4.1 Where possible, competent authorities and the Lead Overseer should make available to each
other relevant information stemming from their dialogue with NIS2 authorities responsible for the supervision of essential or important entities subject to that Directive, which have been designated as a critical ICT third-party service provider.
Section 2: Designation of critical ICT third-party service providers
Guideline 5: Information for the criticality assessment to be submitted by competent authorities to the ESAs
5.1 For the purposes of designating the ICT third-party service providers that are critical for financial
entities in accordance with Article 31(1)(a) of the DORA, without undue delay following the receipt of the register of information referred to in Article 28(3) of the DORA, competent authorities should make available the full register of information to the ESAs in accordance with the formats and procedures specified by the ESAs.3
5.2 Competent authorities should also make available to the ESAs any relevant quantitative or
qualitative information at their disposal to facilitate the criticality assessment envisaged in Article 31(2) of the DORA, taking into account the delegated act referred to in Article 31(6) of the DORA.
5.3 Upon request, competent authorities should make available to the ESAs additional available
information acquired in their supervisory activities, in order to facilitate the criticality assessment. Guideline 6: Information related to the designation of critical ICT third-party service providers to be submitted by the Lead Overseer or ESAs to competent authorities
6.1 Within 10 working days following the receipt from the ICT third-party service provider, the ESAs
should make available to the competent authorities of the financial entities using the ICT services provided by a ICT third-party service provider, the legal name, identification code4 , country of the registered office of the ICT third-party service provider and, if it belongs to a group, of the parent group that submitted a request to be designated as critical according to Article 31(11) of the DORA.
6.2 The Lead Overseer should share with the competent authorities of the financial entities using the
ICT services provided by a critical ICT third-party service provider:
a) Within 10 working days following the receipt from the critical ICT third-party service provider, the notification of the critical ICT third-party service provider about any changes to the structure of the management of the subsidiary established in the Union according to Article 31(13) of the DORA; b) Within 10 working days after the submission of the notification of a decision to designate the ICT third party-party service provider as critical to the ICT third-party service provider, the legal name, identification code⁷, country of the registered office of the ICT third-party service provider and, if it belongs to a group, of the parent group that has been designated as critical 3 The ESAs will make use of Article 35(2) of the founding regulations of the ESAs to request the full register of information. 4 “Identification code” refers to the identification code requested for ICT third-party service providers as established by the Implementing Technical Standards on the standard templates for the purposes of the register of information in relation to all contractual arrangements on the use of ICT services provided by ICT third-party service providers under Article 28(9) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554
according to Article 31(5) and (11) of the DORA and the starting date as from which they will effectively be subject to oversight activities as referred to in Article 31(5) of the DORA.
Section 3: Core oversight activities
Guideline 7: Oversight plans
7.1 Prior to the finalisation of the annual oversight plan referred to in Article 33(4) of the DORA, the
Lead Overseer should make available the draft annual oversight plan to the competent authorities of the financial entities using the ICT services provided by a critical ICT third-party service provider.
7.2 The draft annual oversight plan should include the following information on the envisaged
general investigations or inspections:
a) type of oversight activity (general investigation or inspection); b) high-level scope and objectives; c) approximate timeframe.
7.3 Competent authorities may provide comments on the draft annual oversight plan within 30
working days following the receipt thereof.
7.4 Within 10 working days following the adoption, the Lead Overseer should make available to the
competent authorities, the annual oversight plan and the multi-annual oversight plan5 .
7.5 The Lead Overseer should make available any material updates to the annual oversight plan and
the multi-annual oversight plan to the competent authorities without undue delay following the adoption of the updates. Competent authorities may provide comments on the material updates to the annual oversight plan within 30 working days following the receipt. Guideline 8: General investigations and inspections
8.1 At least 3 weeks before the start of the general investigation or inspection according to Articles
38(5), 39(3) and 36(1) of the DORA, or with the shortest possible delay in case of an urgent investigation or inspection, the Lead Overseer should inform the competent authorities of the financial entities using the ICT services provided by a critical ICT third-party service provider, the identity of the authorised persons for the general investigation or inspection.
8.2 The authorised persons include:
5 See Recital 3 of draft Regulatory Technical Standards on the conduct of oversight activities in relation to the joint examination teams under DORA
the Lead Overseer is its primary point of contact for the purposes of all matters related to the oversight.
Section 4: Follow-up of the recommendations
Guideline 10: General principles for follow-up
10.1 The following general principles should apply to the follow-up of the recommendations issued
by the Lead Overseer:
The competent authorities are the primary point of contact for financial entities under their
supervision. The competent authorities are responsible for the follow-up concerning the risks identified in the recommendations concerning financial entities making use of the services of the critical ICT third-party service providers;
The Lead Overseer is the primary point of contact for critical ICT third-party service providers
for the purposes of all matters related to the oversight. The Lead Overseer is responsible for the follow-up of the recommendations addressed to the critical ICT third-party service provider. Guideline 11: Information exchanges between the Lead Overseer and competent authorities to ensure the follow-up of recommendations
11.1 The Lead Overseer should make available to the competent authorities of the financial entities
using the ICT services provided by a critical ICT third-party service provider, the following information:
a. Within 10 working days following the receipt by the Lead Overseer:
the notification of the critical ICT third-party service provider to follow the
recommendations issued by the Lead Overseer and the remediation plan prepared by the critical ICT third-party service provider;
the reasoned explanation of the critical ICT third-party service provider for not following
the recommendations;
the reports specifying the actions that have been taken or the remedies that have been
implemented by the critical ICT third-party service provider according to Article 35(1)(c) of the DORA. b. Within 10 working days after the expiration of the 60 calendar days according to Article 42(1) of the DORA:
the fact that the critical ICT third-party service provider failed to send the notification
within 60 calendar days after the issuance of recommendations to the critical ICT thirdparty service provider according to Article 35(1)(d) of the DORA.
c. Within 10 working days after the adoption by the Lead Overseer:
the assessment as to whether the critical ICT third-party service provider’s explanation
for not following the Lead Overseer’s recommendations is deemed sufficient and, if it is deemed sufficient, the Lead Overseer’s decision concerning amendment of recommendations8 ;
the assessment of the reports specifying the actions that have been taken or the
remedies that have been implemented by the critical ICT third-party service provider according to Articles 35(1)(c) of the DORA. In case the critical ICT third-party service provider has not adequately implemented the recommendations, the assessment should at least cover the criteria a) to d) of Article 42(8) of the DORA;
the decision imposing a periodic penalty payment on the critical ICT third-party service
provider according to Article 35(6) of the DORA. If the Lead Overseer opted not to disclose the periodic penalty payment to the public as per Article 35(10) of the DORA, the competent authorities receiving the information should not disclose it to the public;
assessment as to whether the refusal of a critical ICT-third-party service provider to
endorse recommendations, based on a divergent approach from the one advised by the Lead Overseer, could adversely impact a large number of financial entities, or a significant
part of the financial sector.
11.2 In accordance with Article 42(10) of the DORA, the competent authorities should make available
to the Lead Overseer the following information where critical ICT third party service providers have not endorsed in part or entirely recommendations addressed to them by the Lead Overseer:
a. Within 10 working days following the adoption by the competent authority:
notification to the financial entity of the possibility of a decision being taken where a
competent authority deems that a financial entity fails to take into account or to sufficiently address within its management of ICT third-party risk the specific risks identified in the recommendations issued by the Lead Overseer according to Article 42(4) of the DORA;
individual warnings issued by competent authorities according to Article 42(7) of the
DORA and relevant information which allows the Lead Overseer to assess whether such 8 The Lead Overseer and the Joint Examination Team assess the critical ICT third party service provider’s reasoned explanation for not following the recommendations. If the Lead Overseer decides that the explanation is deemed sufficient, the Lead Overseer may amend the respective recommendations.
warnings have resulted in consistent approaches mitigating the potential risk to financial stability. b. Within 10 working days following the consultation:
provider, the Lead Overseer should inform them about any inconsistent or divergent supervisory approaches that could lead to an unlevel playing field where financial entities are using the ICT services provided by a critical ICT third-party service provider across Member States.
Section 5: Final provisions
These Guidelines apply from 17 January 2025.
These Guidelines will be subject to a review by the ESAs.
Annex: Table summarising information exchanges
The following table summarises the information exchanges between the LO/ESAs (marked grey) and CAs (marked green) as indicated by these Guidelines. The table is not intended to introduce any new guidance, but to reflect the guidance included in the Guidelines. If there are any differences between the Guidelines and this table, the information included in the Guidelines prevails. 9 Article 28(3): As part of their ICT risk management framework, financial entities shall maintain and update at entity level, and at sub-consolidated and consolidated levels, a register of information in relation to all contractual arrangements on the use of ICT services provided by ICT third-party service providers… 10 Article 31(1)(a): The ESAs, through the Joint Committee and upon recommendation from the Oversight Forum established pursuant to Article 32(1), shall designate the ICT third-party service providers that are critical for financial entities, following an assessment that takes into account the criteria specified in paragraph 2. 11 Article 31(6): The Commission is empowered to adopt a delegated act in accordance with Article 57 to supplement this Regulation by specifying further the criteria referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, by 17 July 2024. 12 Article 31(10): For the purposes of paragraph 1, point (a), competent authorities shall, on a yearly and aggregated basis, transmit the reports referred to in Article 28(3), third subparagraph, to the Oversight Forum established pursuant to Article
32....
13 Article 35(2) of the ESAs’ founding regulation: The Authority may also request information to be provided at recurring intervals and in specified formats. Such requests shall, where possible, be made using common reporting formats. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL
Section 1: General considerations
LO, in consultation with relevant CAs, reduce or extend the timelines - - 2.1 LO, in consultation with the JON, to present to the OF difference of opinions regarding the oversight cooperation and information exchanges
14 Article 31(5): … After designating an ICT third-party service provider as critical, the ESAs, through the Joint Committee, shall notify the ICT third-party service provider of such designation and the starting date as from which they will effectively be subject to oversight activities. 15 Article 31(11): The ICT third-party service providers that are not included in the list referred to in paragraph 9 may request to be designated as critical in accordance with paragraph 1, point (a). 16 Article 31(13): The critical ICT third-party service provider referred to in paragraph 12 shall notify the Lead Overseer of any changes to the structure of the management of the subsidiary established in the Union. 17 Article 33(4): Based on the assessment referred to in paragraph 2, and in coordination with the Joint Oversight Network referred to in Article 34(1), the Lead Overseer shall adopt a clear, detailed and reasoned individual oversight plan describing the annual oversight objectives and the main oversight actions planned for each critical ICT third-party service provider. That plan shall be communicated yearly to the critical ICT third-party service provider. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL quantitative or qualitative information at their disposal to facilitate the criticality assessment Upon request, CAs to make available additional available information acquired in their supervisory activities
18 Article 38(5): In good time before the start of the investigation, the Lead Overseer shall inform competent authorities of the financial entities using the ICT services of that critical ICT third-party service provider of the envisaged investigation and of the identity of the authorised persons. 19 Article 39(3): In good time before the start of the inspection, the Lead Overseer shall inform the competent authorities of the financial entities using that ICT third-party service provider. 20 Article 39(7): Where the officials and other persons authorised by the Lead Overseer find that a critical ICT third-party service provider opposes an inspection ordered pursuant to this Article, the Lead Overseer shall inform the critical ICT thirdparty service provider of the consequences of such opposition, including the possibility for competent authorities of the relevant financial entities to require financial entities to terminate the contractual arrangements concluded with that critical ICT third-party service provider. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL LO to make available to CAs, the annual oversight plan and the multi-annual oversight plan. Within 10 working days following the adoption in relation to the joint examination teams under DORA 7.4 LO to make available to CAs any material updates to the annual oversight plan and the multi-annual oversight plan Without undue delay following the adoption of the updates 7.5 CAs may provide comments on the material updates to the annual oversight plan Within 30 working days following the receipt 7.5 LO to confirm to the CAs of the identity of the authorised persons for the investigation or inspection At least 3 weeks before the start of the investigation or inspection Or With the shortest possible delay in case of an urgent investigation or inspection 36(1), 38(5)18 and 39(3)19 8.1 LO to inform CAs where the authorised persons find that a CTPP opposes an inspection, including imposing any unjustified conditions to the inspection
21 Article 36(1): When oversight objectives cannot be attained by means of interacting with the subsidiary set up for the purpose of Article 31(12), or by exercising oversight activities on premises located in the Union, the Lead Overseer may exercise the powers, referred to in the following provisions, on any premises located in a third-country which is owned, or used in any way, for the purposes of providing services to Union financial entities, by a critical ICT third party service provider, in connection with its business operations, functions or services, including any administrative, business or operational offices, premises, lands, buildings or other properties… 22 Article 37(1): The Lead Overseer may, by simple request or by decision, require critical ICT third-party service providers to provide all information that is necessary for the Lead Overseer to carry out its duties under this Regulation, including all relevant business or operational documents, contracts, policies, documentation, ICT security audit reports, ICT-related incident reports, as well as any information relating to parties to whom the critical ICT third-party service provider has outsourced operational functions or activities. 23 The Lead Overseer shall, without delay, transmit a copy of the decision to supply information to the competent authorities of the financial entities using the services of the relevant critical ICT third-party service providers and to the JON. 24 Article 33(4), third subparagraph: Upon receipt of the draft oversight plan, the critical ICT third-party service provider may submit a reasoned statement within 15 calendar days evidencing the expected impact on customers which are entities falling outside of the scope of this Regulation and where appropriate, formulating solutions to mitigate risks. 25 Article 33(1): The Lead Overseer shall conduct the oversight of the assigned critical ICT third party service providers and shall be, for the purposes of all matters related to the oversight, the primary point of contact for those critical ICT third party service providers. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL LO to make available to the JON and the CAs, relevant scope of the request for information submitted to the CTPP Within 10 working days following the adoption of the request for information to the CTPP 36(1)21,37(1)22 and 37(5)23 9.1 LO to make available to CAs of:
26 Article 35(1)(c): The Lead Overseer has the power to request, after the completion of the oversight activities, reports specifying the actions that have been taken or the remedies that have been implemented by the critical ICT third party service provider in relation to the recommendations issued. 27 Article 42(1): Within 60 calendar days of the receipt of the recommendations issued by the Lead Overseer, critical ICT third party service providers shall either notify the Lead Overseer of their intention to follow the recommendations or provide a reasoned explanation for not following such recommendations. 28 Article 35(6): In the event of whole or partial non-compliance with the measures required to be taken pursuant to the exercise of the powers under paragraph 1, points (a), (b) and (c), and after the expiry of a period of at least 30 calendar days from the date on which the critical ICT third-party service provider received notification of the respective measures, the Lead Overseer shall adopt a decision imposing a periodic penalty payment to compel the critical ICT third-party service provider to comply with those measures. 29 Article 35(10): The Lead Overseer shall disclose to the public every periodic penalty payment that has been imposed, unless such disclosure would seriously jeopardise the financial markets or cause disproportionate damage to the parties involved. 30 Article 42(8): Upon receiving the reports referred to in Article 35(1), point (c), competent authorities, when taking a decision as referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article, shall take into account the type and magnitude of risk that is not addressed by the critical ICT third-party service provider, as well as the seriousness of the non-compliance, having regard to the following criteria:
(a) the gravity and the duration of the non-compliance; (b) whether the non-compliance has revealed serious weaknesses in the critical ICT third-party service provider’s procedures, management systems, risk management and internal controls; (c) whether a financial crime was facilitated, occasioned or is otherwise attributable to the non-compliance; (d) whether the non-compliance has been intentional or negligent. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL matters related to the oversight
Section 4: Follow-up of the recommendations
LO to make available to CAs:
31 Article 42(4): Where a competent authority deems that a financial entity fails to take into account or to sufficiently address within its management of ICT third-party risk the specific risks identified in the recommendations, it shall notify the financial entity of the possibility of a decision being taken, within 60 calendar days of the receipt of such notification, pursuant to paragraph 6, in the absence of appropriate contractual arrangements aiming to address such risks. 32 Article 42(7): Where a critical ICT third-party service provider refuses to endorse recommendations, based on a divergent approach from the one advised by the Lead Overseer, and such a divergent approach may adversely impact a large number of financial entities, or a significant part of the financial sector, and individual warnings issued by competent authorities have not resulted in consistent approaches mitigating the potential risk to financial stability, the Lead Overseer may, after consulting the Oversight Forum, issue non-binding and non-public opinions to competent authorities, in order to promote consistent and convergent supervisory follow-up measures, as appropriate. 33 Article 42(10): Competent authorities shall regularly inform the Lead Overseer on the approaches and measures taken in their supervisory tasks in relation to financial entities as well as on the contractual arrangements concluded by financial entities where critical ICT third party service providers have not endorsed in part or entirely recommendations addressed to them by the Lead Overseer. 34 Article 42(5): Upon receiving the reports referred to in Article 35(1), point (c), and prior to taking a decision as referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article, competent authorities may, on a voluntary basis, consult the competent authorities designated or established in accordance with Directive (EU) 2022/2555 responsible for the supervision of an essential or important entity subject to that Directive, which has been designated as a critical ICT third-party service provider. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL recommendations is deemed sufficient and, if so, the LO’s decision concerning amendment of recommendations;
35 Article 42(10): Competent authorities shall regularly inform the Lead Overseer on the approaches and measures taken in their supervisory tasks in relation to financial entities as well as on the contractual arrangements concluded by financial entities where critical ICT third-party service providers have not endorsed in part or entirely recommendations addressed to them by the Lead Overseer. Information exchange Timeline Related Article in the Level 1 text GL CAs to make available to LO:
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“The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) issue these Guidelines on the basis of Article 32(7) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 (“DORA”)”
“These Guidelines are issued pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EU) No 1093/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Banking Authority)”
“Regulation (EU) No 1094/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority)”
“and Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority)”
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