(1)

It is appropriate to set out common standard forms, templates and procedures to ensure the accurate assessment by Member States' competent authorities of notifications of proposed acquisitions or increases of qualifying holdings in an investment firm. In those cases, the relevant competent authorities should consult and provide each other with any essential or relevant information.

(2)

To facilitate the cooperation between them and ensure efficiency in their exchange of information, competent authorities designated in accordance with Article 48 of Directive 2004/39/EC should designate contact persons specifically for the purpose of the consultation process provided for in Article 10(4) of Directive 2004/39/EC and a centralised list of those contact persons should be maintained by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).

(3)

Consultation procedures containing clear timing constraints should be set up in order to ensure the timely and efficient cooperation between competent authorities. A clear cooperation procedure should include a preliminary notice to be sent by the requesting authority to the requested authority, to inform the requested authority of the ongoing assessment.

(4)

The procedures should also aim at ensuring that competent authorities cooperate and work towards the improvement of the process by promoting the exchange of feedback on the quality and relevance of the information received.

(5)

Any exchange or transmission of information between competent authorities, other authorities, bodies or persons should be in accordance with the rules on personal data as laid down in Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3).

(6)

Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) applies to the processing of personal data by ESMA in the application of this Regulation.

(7)

This Regulation is based on the draft implementing technical standards submitted by ESMA to the Commission.

(8)

ESMA did not publicly consult or analyse the potential related costs and benefits of introducing the standard forms, templates and procedures for the consultation process between relevant competent authorities, as this was considered disproportionate in relation to their scope and impact.

(9)

Directive 2014/65/EU entered into force on 2 July 2014. Article 12(9) of Directive 2014/65/EU replaces Article 10a(8) of Directive 2004/39/EC and contains empowerments to ESMA for the development of implementing technical standards which are identical to those provided for under Article 10a(8) of Directive 2004/39/EC. Furthermore, the content of Articles 10b(4) and Article 10(4) of Directive 2004/39/EC is also identical to the content of Article 13(4) and Article 11(2) of Directive 2014/65/EU. In accordance with Article 94(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, Directive 2004/39/EC will be repealed with effect from 3 January 2017. The adoption of the technical standards by the Commission in accordance with Article 10a(8) of Directive 2004/39/EC should also be considered in compliance with Article 12(8) of Directive 2014/65/EU with the consequence that the technical standard will continue to apply after 3 January 2018 without the need for further amendment,