EU securities regulator ESMA on Thursday published a batch of Q&As across its sustainable finance, market abuse and digital finance workstreams, with the bulk of the new guidance aimed at firms preparing for the ESG Ratings Regulation’s 2 July 2026 application date.
ESG rating provider guidance
Four of the five listed Q&As sit under the EU ESG Ratings Regulation. They cover defined ranking systems, transitional provisions, ESG rating providers established after the regulation’s entry into force, and material changes to registration information.
The topics map to live operational questions for providers entering the new regime. ESMA has been building out its ESG Q&A set in stages and will act as direct supervisor for providers offering services within the EU. Providers must notify ESMA and apply for authorisation starting from 2 August 2026, with a deadline of 2 November 2026.
MiCA white paper exemption
The fifth Q&A falls under MiCA and addresses when an offer of a crypto-asset other than an asset-referenced token (ART) or e-money token (EMT) is exempt from white paper requirements.
ESMA has been adding MiCA implementation guidance since the regulation entered into force in June 2023.
