64.—(1) An index provider who does not have a Part 4A permission in relation to the activity specified in article 63S(1) of the RAO and who satisfies the condition in paragraph (2) does not—
(a)contravene the general prohibition in section 19 of the Act (the general prohibition); or
(b)contravene a requirement imposed by the FCA or PRA as defined in section 20(1) or (1A) of the Act (authorised person acting without permission).
in respect of carrying on the activity in article 63S(1) of the RAO.
(2) The conditions in this paragraph are that—
(a)the index provider has become aware or has reasonable cause to suspect that their index is used for the purposes referred to in point (3) of Article 3(1) of the EU Benchmarks Regulation 2016; and
(b)the index provider has applied for permission to carry on the activity in article 63S(1) of the RAO within 30 working days from the point at which they became aware or have reasonable cause to suspect that their index is used for the purposes referred to in point (3) of Article 3(1) of the EU Benchmarks Regulation 2016.