.jpg)
Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy has urged those Member States that have not yet implemented the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("MiFID") in national law to put this issue at the top of their political agenda. In letters to the Ministers of Finance concerned, the Commissioner expresses deep concern about delays in implementation in national law, for which the deadline elapsed on 31 January 2007. To date only the United Kingdom and Romania have notified the Commission of full implementation of MiFID in their national laws.
Commissioner McCreevy said: "I urge Member States to keep to the timetable that they themselves have agreed. Further delays could well expose Europe's firms and banks to serious competitive disadvantage."
As agreed by the Council and European Parliament, market participants should have an additional nine months – i.e. from 31 January 2007, the deadline for Member States to implement MiFID in national law, until 1 November 2007 – to prepare their systems and organisation in line with MiFID requirements. Further delays in implementation of national legislation will give firms less time to prepare for a completely new regulatory environment.
Furthermore, a lack of national implementing legislation beyond 1 November 2007 could endanger the proper functioning of the MiFID 'passport' and have a significant impact on EU financial markets, as investment firms could have difficulties providing services in other Member States and could be uncertain as to which legal regime is applicable. In this situation there is a risk that Member States could face legal action by private parties who might claim damages for losses incurred because of late implementation of national legislation.
The Commission plans to launch infringement procedures against those Member States that have not yet transposed the relevant Directives – i.e. 2004/39/EC on markets in financial instruments (MiFID) and 2006/73/EC (MiFID implementing directive).
Member State implementation of MiFID is very closely monitored and made public by the Lamfalussy League Table and the Internal Market Scoreboard. Additionally, the Commission has published answers to a questionnaire requesting detailed information about Member States' schedule for implementation of MiFID in national law (see link below).
About MiFID
MiFID is one of the cornerstones of the Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP)
and will play a vital role in creating a robust, common regulatory framework for
Europe's securities markets. MiFID will remove obstacles to firms' use of the
EU-wide investment 'passport', foster competition and a level playing field
between Europe's trading venues, and ensure a high level of protection for
investors across Europe.
More information is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/isd/mifid_implementation_en.htm
