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Finance

Targeted consultation on the functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on the consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings

About this consultation

Consultation period

4 April 2022 - 10 June 2022 (midnight Brussels time)

Topics

Financial services, sustainable finance, credit rating agencies

Departments

Target group

The main stakeholders identified are

  1. ESG rating providers
  2. CRAs
  3. investors
  4. companies
  5. public authorities including supervisors
  6. civil society including NGOs, academics

Other interested stakeholders are welcome to contribute.

Objective of the consultation

The targeted consultation on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings and sustainability factors in credit ratings is an integral part of the renewed sustainable finance strategy adopted in July 2021. Both credit ratings and ESG ratings are opinions provided by specialised entities and used by financial institutions and professional investors.

ESG ratings generally assess the impact of environmental, social, and governance factors on a company and a company’s impact on the outside world. Credit ratings assess the creditworthiness of companies or financial instruments by providing an opinion on the risk of default of a company.

This consultation will help the Commission gain a better insight on the functioning of the market for ESG ratings, as well as better understand how credit rating agencies (CRAs) incorporate ESG risks in their creditworthiness assessment. Responses from market participants will feed into an impact assessment that will evaluate whether a possible policy initiative on ESG ratings and on sustainability factors in credit ratings is needed. These actions are expected to contribute to the achievement of the European green deal objectives by improving the quality of information on which basis investors, businesses and other stakeholders take decisions impacting the transition to a sustainable economy. We encourage all interested.

How to submit your response

Please note that in order to ensure a fair and transparent consultation process responses should be submitted through the online questionnaire.

Consultation outcome

Summary report

3 AUGUST 2022
Feedback statement: Functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on the consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings
English
(857.57 KB - PDF)
Download

Contributions to the consultation

14 JUNE 2022
Received contributions: Functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on the consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings
English
(849.33 KB - ZIP)
Download
14 JUNE 2022
Documents annexed to received contributions: Functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on the consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings
English
(11.05 MB - ZIP)
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Reference documents

4 APRIL 2022
Consultation document: Functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings
English
(356.91 KB - PDF)
Download
4 APRIL 2022
Specific privacy statement: Functioning of the ESG ratings market in the European Union and on consideration of ESG factors in credit ratings
English
(392.31 KB - PDF)
Download

Contact

fisma-esg-ratingsatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Contact email address: fisma-esg-ratings[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)