PART 9A

Rules and Guidance
CHAPTER 2

Rules: modification, waiver, contravention and procedural provisions

Modification or waiver of rules

Publication of directions under section 138A
138B
1
Subject to subsection (2), a direction must be published by the regulator concerned in the way appearing to the regulator to be best calculated for bringing it to the attention of—
a
persons likely to be affected by it, and
b
persons who are, in the opinion of the regulator, likely to make an application for a similar direction.
2
Subsection (1) does not apply if the regulator is satisfied that it is inappropriate or unnecessary to publish the direction.
3
In deciding whether it is satisfied as mentioned in subsection (2), the regulator must—
a
consider whether the publication of the direction would be detrimental to the stability of the
UK
financial system,
b
take into account whether the direction relates to a rule contravention of which is actionable in accordance with section 138D,
c
consider whether publication of the direction would prejudice, to an unreasonable degree, the commercial interests of the person concerned or any other member of the person's immediate group, and
d
consider whether its publication would be contrary to an international obligation of the United Kingdom.
4
The FCA must consult the PRA before publishing or deciding not to publish a direction which relates to—
a
a PRA-authorised person, or
b
an authorised person who has as a member of its immediate group a PRA-authorised person.
5
For the purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (3), the regulator must consider whether it would be possible to publish the direction without either of the consequences mentioned in those paragraphs by publishing it without disclosing the identity of the person concerned.
6
“
Direction
” means a direction under section 138A.
S. 138B applied in part (with modifications) (29.8.2023) by Regulation (EU) No. 648/2012, Art. 84c (as inserted by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 30 (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2023/779, reg. 4(zz)(ii))
S. 138B modified (20.2.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Transitional Provisions) (Rules and Miscellaneous Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/161), arts. 1(1), 9(3)(4)
Pt. 9A applied (1.7.2021) by Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014, Art. 49A(12) (as inserted by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 10 para. 9; S.I. 2021/739, reg. 3(o))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied in part (with modifications) (29.10.2024 for specified purposes) by S.I. 2017/701, reg. 15A (as inserted by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 45 (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2024/1071, reg. 3(c)(ii))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied (1.1.2026) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Mutual Recognition Agreement) (Switzerland) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1145), regs. 1(2), 13(3), 34(3)
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2011/99, Sch. 3 para. 2A(2)(3) (as inserted (13.8.2017 for specified purposes, 13.10.2017 for specified purposes, 13.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752), reg. 1(2)(c)(iii)(3)(f)(i)(6), Sch. 8 para. 5(31)(a) (with reg. 3) and as amended (18.9.2023) by The Electronic Money, Payment Card Interchange Fee and Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/790), regs. 1(2)(a), 2(3)(a)(iii)-(v))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied (31.12.2020) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/632), regs. 1(3), 209(6) (with reg. 209(7)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 9A applied (31.12.2020) by The Solvency 2 and Insurance (Amendment, etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/407), regs. 1(2), 4, Sch. 3 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1301, regs. 1, 3, Sch. para. 27(a) and S.I. 2020/1385, regs. 1(2), 54(2))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied in part (1.7.2021) by Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014, Art. 50D (as inserted by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 10 para. 12 (with Sch. 10 para. 13); S.I. 2021/739, reg. 3(o))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied (with modifications) (13.8.2017 for specified purposes, 13.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752), reg. 1(2)(b)(ii)(6), Sch. 6 para. 3(2) (with reg. 3) (as amended (18.9.2023) by The Electronic Money, Payment Card Interchange Fee and Payment Services (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/790), regs. 1(2)(a), 4(5)(a)(iii))
S. 138B applied (with modifications) by 2013 c. 13, Sch. 4 para. 9A(5)(6) (as inserted (26.10.2018) by The Financial Regulators Powers (Technical Standards etc.) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1115), regs. 1(2), 10(5)(c))
Pt. 9A Ch. 2 applied (31.12.2020) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/632), regs. 1(3), 208(7) (with reg. 208(8)); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 9A applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories (Amendment, etc., and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/335), regs. 1(1), 74 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1385, regs. 1(4), 52(7)) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 9A applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Transparency of Securities Financing Transactions and of Reuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/542), regs. 1, 35 (as amended by S.I. 2020/1385, regs. 1(4), 56(7)) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 9A substituted for ss. 138-164 (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), ss. 24(1), 122(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(c), Sch. Pt. 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
S. 138B applied (31.12.2020) by The Credit Rating Agencies (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/266), regs. 1(3), 4(2)(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 138B applied (with modifications) by S.R. 2004/335, reg. 7(3)(4) (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 87(4))
S. 138B applied (with modifications) (8.6.2023 for specified purposes, 7.10.2023 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/612), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 11 (with art. 11)