ESMA Seeks Input on DLT Uses, Responds to Draft on IFRS Disclosures

Request for Input on Distributed Ledger Technology

The Regulation on a pilot regime for market infrastructures based on distributed ledger technology (DLT Pilot) requires ESMA to assess whether the technical standards developed under the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation, or MiFIR, relative to certain pre-and post-trade transparency and data reporting requirements need to be amended for effective application to the securities issued, traded, and recorded using the distributed ledger technology. ESMA is seeking input from stakeholders with respect to technical standards on equity and non-equity transparency, double volume cap and provision of data, and data reporting requirements. In addition, in relation to the transaction reporting exemption, ESMA seeks stakeholder views on possible effective ways to allow regulators access to information on transactions, financial instrument reference data, and transparency data. Based on the feedback received, ESMA will consider whether amendments to the technical standards are necessary. If amendments are deemed necessary, ESMA will consult on the proposal before submitting the final draft technical standards to the European Commission for adoption. The DLT Pilot is expected to apply in early 2023.

Response Letter on IASB Draft on IFRS Disclosures

ESMA supports the ambition of IASB to improve the quality of the disclosures provided by preparers of IFRS financial statements. ESMA welcomes the development of general and detailed disclosure objectives as well as the development of additional examples that provide helpful indications of how entities can achieve these objectives. However, ESMA does not believe that the approach proposed by the exposure draft of IASB strikes the right balance between disclosure objectives and detailed disclosure requirements. Indeed, ESMA strongly believes that the disclosure requirements proposed in the exposure draft should contain more mandatory disclosure items. For such disclosures, the general materiality principle of IAS 1 on presentation of financial statements would be applicable and information would only need to be disclosed if material to the entity. Introducing “non mandatory” disclosure items may prompt reporting entities to limit the amount of information. ESMA is very concerned that, should the IASB proceed with the approach proposed in the exposure draft, the hurdle for auditors and enforcers to challenge issuers that are not willing to be transparent by providing relevant disclosures in financial statements to inform investors would be too high. In the absence of specific disclosure requirements, it is likely to be difficult to conclude that the judgment made by the preparer is not reasonable and that specific information is needed to fulfill a certain objective. Moreover, the proposed approach may hinder achieving comparability between companies for which similar information is material and ultimately the quality of financial reporting and its usefulness for investors.

Related Links

• Press Release on Call for Evidence
• Call for Evidence (PDF)
• ESMA Letter to IASB (PDF)
• ESM Letter to EFRAG (PDF)

Comment Due Date: March 04, 2022 (DLT Input)

Keywords: Europe, EU, Banking, Securities, Distributed Ledger Technology, Call for Evidence, Disclosures, IFRS Standards, Reporting, IASB, EFRAG, Regtech, Suptech, ESMA