MiFID, COBS rulebook now into force
FSA’s rulebook, now incorporating MiFID and COBS, has come into force, making it easier for companies to understand
FSA
flagship project in the regulator’s move towards more principles-based
regulation, reform of the FSA’s investment rules, came into force yesterday. The
Conduct
of Business Sourcebook (COBS) is designed to move away from reliance on
detailed prescriptive rules and will be about half the length of the old
rulebook.
The new rulebook incorporates the implementation of the relevant conduct of
business provisions of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID),
but also covers firms and business outside MiFID scope.
‘The new rulebook will be easier for firms to understand and comply with, and
we are committed to working with the industry, as well as consumer bodies, to
achieve successful implementation of these significant changes,’ Dan Waters, FSA
director of the retail policy and themes division, said yesterday.
‘Although the introduction of COBS is being co-ordinated with MiFID
implementation, COBS covers non-MiFID firms as well, and it is vital that all
firms subject to the regime implement the necessary changes.’
Further reading:
Audit committees and IT: appearing on the audit radar