EIU’s registration as a CRA means that its credit ratings can be used for regulatory
purposes under EU legislation.
A registered CRA must continue to comply, on an ongoing basis, with the regulatory
requirements set out under the CRA Regulation.
There are currently 20 registered and two certified CRAs in the EU. Amongst
the 20 registered CRAs, three operate under a group structure, totalling 16 legal
entities in the EU, which means that the total number of CRA entities registered
in the EU is now 33.
ESMA’s supervisory mandate applies to all credit rating agencies established
in the EU which issue credit ratings disclosed publicly or distributed by subscription.
The exercise of that supervision includes the possibility to impose sanctions
and other forms of penalties in case of breaches of the requirements established
by Regulation. Those requirements include the obligation to be registered by
ESMA before engaging in rating activities.
Notes for editors
- ESMA is now responsible for the supervision of 20 registered and two certified credit rating agencies.
- ESMA is an independent EU Authority that was established on 1 January 2011 and
works closely with the other European Supervisory Authorities responsible for
banking (EBA), and insurance and occupational pensions (EIOPA), and the European
Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).
- ESMA’s mission is to enhance the protection of investors and promote stable and
well-functioning financial markets in the European Union (EU). As an independent
institution, ESMA achieves this aim by building a single rule book for EU financial
markets and ensuring its consistent application across the EU. ESMA contributes
to the regulation of financial services firms with a pan-European reach, either
through direct supervision or through the active co-ordination of national supervisory
activity.