Insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse): implementing powers conferred on the Commission

2006/0301(COD)

PURPOSE: to amend Directive 2003/6/EC on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse) by introducing a reference to the new regulatory procedure with scrutiny (comitology).

PROPOSED ACT: Directive 2008/26/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/6/EC on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse), as regards the implementing powers conferred on the Commission

CONTENT: to recall, Council Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission has been amended by Council Decision 2006/512/EC (CNS/2002/0298).

The amended Decision introduces a new regulatory procedure with scrutiny to be used for measures of general scope which seek to amend non-essential elements of a basic instrument, adopted under co-decision. This may include deleting some of those elements or supplementing the instrument, by the addition of new non-essential elements.

This procedure allows the legislator to oppose the adoption of "quasi-legislative" measures implementing a codecision-based instrument in cases where:

  • the draft may exceed the implementing powers provided for in the basic instrument;
  • the draft is incompatible with the aim or the content of that instrument; or
  • the draft fails to respect the principles of subsidiarity or proportionality.

In a joint statement, the three institutions agreed on a list of 26 basic instruments already in force to be adjusted without delay in accordance with the new regulatory procedure with scrutiny (see ACI/2006/2152). Each case has been assessed on the nature of the implementing powers conferred on the Commission and the specificity of each sector.

The purpose of this act, therefore, is to amend Directive 2003/6/EC on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse), by introducing the new regulatory procedure with scrutiny.

By 31 December 2010, and thereafter at least every three years, the Commission shall review the provisions concerning its implementing powers and present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the functioning of those powers and on the need for the Commission to propose possible amendments.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21 March 2008.