(1)

Directive 2014/65/EU sets out obligations for the cooperation and exchange of information between competent authorities. As part of that procedure, a competent authority may request the cooperation of the competent authority of another Member State for an on-the-spot verification or in an investigation.

(2)

In order to ensure that competent authorities are able to cooperate and exchange information in an efficient and timely manner for the purposes of Directive 2014/65/EU and provide each other full mutual assistance, it is appropriate to lay down procedures as well as templates and forms to be used by competent authorities for such cooperation and exchanges of information, including for the submission of requests for cooperation or exchange of information, acknowledgements of receipt and replies to such requests.

(3)

To ensure that requested authorities process requests for cooperation or information efficiently and expeditiously, each request should clearly set out the reason for the request for cooperation or exchange of information. Beyond the use of templates and forms for requests for cooperation or requests for information and replies to such requests, the procedures for cooperation and exchange of information should allow and facilitate the communication, consultation and interaction between the requesting authority and the requested authority, throughout the process.

(4)

This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

(5)

For reasons of consistency and in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the financial markets, it is necessary that the provisions laid down in this Regulation and the provisions laid down in Directive 2014/65/EU apply from the same date.

(6)

This Regulation is based on the draft implementing technical standards submitted by the European Securities and Markets Authority (‘ESMA’) to the Commission.

(7)

ESMA did not conduct open public consultations on the draft implementing technical standards on which this Regulation is based, nor did it analyse the potential related costs and benefits of introducing the standard forms, templates and procedures to be used by the relevant competent authorities, as this would have been disproportionate in relation to the scope and impact of those standards, taking into account that their addressees would only be the national competent authorities of the Member States and not market participants.

(8)

ESMA has requested the opinion of the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group established in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2),