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  4. Article 10 Non-financial Counterparties

Article 10 Non-financial counterparties

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1.   Every 12 months, a non-financial counterparty taking positions in OTC derivative contracts may calculate its uncleared positions in accordance with paragraph 3.

Where a non-financial counterparty does not calculate its uncleared positions, or where the result of the calculation of those uncleared positions in respect of one or more classes of OTC derivatives exceeds the clearing thresholds specified pursuant to paragraph 4, first subparagraph, point (b), that non-financial counterparty shall:

(a) immediately notify ESMA and the relevant competent authority thereof, and, where relevant, indicate the period used for the calculation;
(b) establish clearing arrangements within four months of the notification referred to in point (a) of this subparagraph;
(c) become subject to the clearing obligation referred to in Article 4 for the OTC derivative contracts entered into or novated more than four months following the notification referred to in point (a) of this subparagraph that pertain to those asset classes in respect of which the result of the calculation exceeds the clearing thresholds or, where the non-financial counterparty has not calculated its position, that pertain to any class of OTC derivatives which is subject to the clearing obligation.

2.   A non-financial counterparty that is subject to the clearing obligation referred to in Article 4 or that becomes subject to the clearing obligation in accordance with paragraph 1, second subparagraph, of this Article, shall remain subject to that obligation and shall continue clearing until that non-financial counterparty demonstrates to the relevant competent authority that its uncleared position does not exceed the clearing threshold specified pursuant to paragraph 4, first subparagraph, point (b), of this Article.

The non-financial counterparty shall be able to demonstrate to the relevant competent authority that the calculation of the uncleared position does not lead to a systematic underestimation of that position.

3.   In calculating the uncleared positions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the non-financial counterparty shall include all OTC derivative contracts that are not cleared through a CCP authorised under Article 14 or recognised under Article 25 entered into by the non-financial counterparty which are not objectively measurable as reducing risks directly relating to the commercial activity or treasury financing activity of the non-financial counterparty or of the group to which that non-financial counterparty belongs.

4.   ESMA, after having consulted the ESRB and other relevant authorities, shall develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify:

a) the criteria for establishing which OTC derivative contracts are objectively measurable as reducing risks directly relating to the commercial activity or treasury financing activity referred to in paragraph 3; 

(b) the values of the clearing thresholds for uncleared positions, which are determined taking into account the calculation methodology set out in paragraph 3 of this Article and Article 4a(3), the systemic relevance of the sum of net positions and exposures per counterparty and per class of OTC derivatives; and 

(c) the mechanisms triggering a review of the values of the clearing thresholds, following significant price fluctuations in the underlying class of OTC derivatives or a significant increase of financial stability risks.

ESMA shall submit the draft regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph to the Commission by 25 December 2025.

Power is delegated to the Commission to supplement this Regulation by adopting the regulatory technical standards referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph in accordance with Articles 10 to 14 of Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010.

4a.   ESMA, in consultation with the ESRB, shall review the clearing thresholds referred to in paragraph 4, first subparagraph, point (b), of this Article and in Article 4a(4), taking into account, in particular, the interconnectedness of financial counterparties and the need to ensure the prudent coverage of financial counterparties under the clearing obligation. That review shall be conducted at least every two years, or earlier where necessary or where required under the mechanisms established under paragraph 4, first subparagraph, point (c). As a result of that review, ESMA may, in the regulatory technical standards adopted pursuant to paragraph 4, propose changes to the thresholds specified in the first subparagraph, point (b), of that paragraph. When reviewing the clearing thresholds, ESMA shall consider whether the classes of OTC derivatives, for which a clearing threshold has been set, are still the relevant classes of OTC derivatives or if new classes should be introduced.

That periodic review shall be accompanied by a report by ESMA on the subject.

4b.   The relevant competent authorities of the non-financial counterparty and of the other entities within the group shall establish cooperation procedures to ensure the effective calculation of the positions and evaluate and assess the level of exposure in OTC derivative contracts at group level.

5.   Each Member State shall designate an authority responsible for ensuring that the obligations of non-financial counterparties under this Regulation are met. That authority, in cooperation with the authorities responsible for the other entities of the group, shall report to ESMA at least every two years, and more frequently where an emergency situation is identified under Article 24, on the outcome of the assessment of the level of exposure in OTC derivatives of the non-financial counterparties for which it is responsible. The authority responsible for the Union parent undertaking of the group to which the non-financial counterparty belongs shall report to ESMA, at least every two years, on the outcome of the assessment of the level of exposure in OTC derivatives of the group.

At least every two years from 24 December 2024, ESMA shall present a report to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the activities of Union non-financial counterparties in OTC derivatives, identifying areas where there is a lack of convergence and coherence in the application of this Regulation as well as potential risks to the financial stability of the Union.

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