Changeflow GovPing Derivatives Standards ISDA Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation
Routine Guidance Added Final

ISDA Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation

Favicon for www.isda.org ISDA News
Published March 10th, 2026
Detected March 13th, 2026
Email

Summary

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) has submitted a paper to the European Commission with eight recommendations to simplify EU derivatives regulation. The proposals aim to reduce operational complexity and compliance costs while maintaining high regulatory standards and enhancing the EU's attractiveness for derivatives activity.

What changed

ISDA has submitted a paper to the European Commission outlining eight recommendations aimed at simplifying EU regulatory provisions for derivatives. The proposals focus on Level 1 provisions to reduce operational complexity and compliance costs, while preserving high regulatory standards. Additionally, two horizontal recommendations are made to improve the legislative process, specifically concerning the sequencing of Level 1 and Level 2 measures and the potential for temporary suspension of requirements.

These recommendations are intended to enhance the EU's attractiveness for derivatives activity, support investment and competitiveness, and contribute to well-functioning capital markets. While this is a submission of recommendations and not a rule change, regulated entities, particularly those involved in derivatives trading and reporting within the EU, should be aware of these proposals as they could influence future regulatory adjustments. No immediate compliance actions are required, but monitoring the European Commission's response and any subsequent regulatory changes is advisable.

Source document (simplified)

  1. Public Policy
  2. Europe
  3. ISDA Submits Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation and Enhance Legislative Process

ISDA Submits Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation and Enhance Legislative Process

On March 9, ISDA submitted a paper to the European Commission setting out focused proposals to improve the functioning of the EU regulatory framework for derivatives. The paper comprises eight targeted recommendations to simplify selected Level 1 provisions in a way that preserves high regulatory standards while delivering meaningful reductions in operational complexity and compliance costs. These adjustments would enhance the EU’s attractiveness as a location for derivatives activity and reinforce its capacity to support investment and competitiveness.

The paper also outlines two horizontal recommendations intended to improve the legislative process. These relate, first, to the sequencing of Level 1 and Level 2 measures and, second, to the introduction of a time-limited mechanism allowing for the temporary suspension of specific requirements where warranted by market conditions or implementation challenges.

Overall, ISDA believes these proposals would contribute constructively to the EU’s broader objectives of competitiveness, well‑functioning capital markets and proportionate regulation.

Tags:

EMIR, European Commission (EC), MIFIR, Reporting, Sustainable Finance

Documents (1)

Latest

Safe, Efficient Markets for SFTs

Securities financing transactions (SFTs) – including repurchase agreements (repo), securities lending, buy/sell backs and margin lending – are foundational to the functioning of modern financial markets. They support the day-to-day distribution of liquidity, enable collateral to move efficiently across cash...

ISDA, GFXD, UK Finance, LMA Respond to HMT on UK BMR Reform

On March 11, ISDA, the Global Foreign Exchange Division of the Global Financial Markets Association, UK Finance and the Loan Market Association responded jointly to a consultation from His Majesty’s Treasury on the future regulatory regime for benchmarks and benchmark...

ISDA Recommendations to Simplify EU Regulation

On March 9, ISDA submitted a paper to the European Commission setting out focused proposals to improve the functioning of the EU regulatory framework for derivatives. The paper comprises eight targeted recommendations to simplify selected Level 1 provisions in a...

New Selection Process for Standard Reference Obligations (SROs) FAQs

This Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) document gives information about the new selection process for Standard Reference Obligations (SROs). Note that ISDA may update these FAQs on occasion. Please check back periodically for new versions.

Source

Analysis generated by AI. Source diff and links are from the original.

Classification

Agency
Various
Published
March 10th, 2026
Instrument
Guidance
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Minor

Who this affects

Applies to
Financial advisers Fund managers Investors
Geographic scope
EU-wide

Taxonomy

Primary area
Securities
Operational domain
Legal
Topics
Derivatives EU Regulation Compliance Costs

Get Derivatives Standards alerts

Weekly digest. AI-summarized, no noise.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Get alerts for this source

We'll email you when ISDA News publishes new changes.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime.