IOSCO Releases Report On Regulation Of DMIs

On June 6, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published its Final Report on International Standards for Derivatives Market Intermediary Regulations. The report, which focuses on OTC derivative market intermediaries (DMIs) that deal with non-retail clients and counterparties, makes various recommendations with respect to: (i) the obligations of DMIs; (ii) requirements to manage counterparty risk; and (iii) protecting participants in the OTC derivatives market from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices.

The report sets out its recommendations in very general terms that are not likely to provide much in the way of specific guidance for local regulators. It recommends for example the establishment of minimum standards for the registration or licensing of DMIs. Relevant material information on licensed or registered DMIs should be publically available. According to the recommendations, market authorities should also consider imposing some