ESMA specifies requirements to facilitate safe use of post-trade risk reduction services

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has outlined the conditions that providers and users of post-trade risk reduction (PTRR) services need to meet for certain OTC derivative transactions to be exempt from the clearing obligation under EMIR 3. The new rules, published in its latest final report, also establish safeguards for the provision of these services and the monitoring of the use of the exemption. With these new rules in place, the goal is to facilitate the use of PTRR services and ensure that the exemption is used under the conditions laid down in EMIR 3 and does not lead to the misuse of the clearing obligation. The final report specifies the elements and requirements of PTRR services, including the information to be provided to participants, how exercises are carried out, the controls that providers should have in place, record-keeping and how the exemption will be monitored. PTRR services help market participants manage their derivatives portfolios and reduce risks, thereby contributing to safer and more resilient derivatives markets. The final rules build on existing market practices and aim to avoi...