The Financial Conduct Authority has published "near-final" rules and guidance that will apply in the event the UK leaves the EU without an implementation period. The documents published today confirm the FCA’s proposals in the event of a no-deal Brexit and bring together feedback from a number of consultation papers.

The papers also provide further details on the treatment of Gibraltar-based firms after Brexit and the temporary transition power. This power would give the FCA the ability to waive or modify changes to regulatory requirements which have been amended under the EU (Withdrawal) Act.

The UK's financial watchdog said today it intends to use it so firms and other regulated entities do not generally need to prepare now to meet new UK regulatory obligations. "In most cases, we plan to allow firms a period of 15 months to adapt to these changes. We have also set out the areas where firms need to prepare to comply now on our website," it stated.

Executive director of International at the FCA, Nausicaa Delfas said the FCA had been preparing for a range of scenarios, including the possibility that the UK leaves the EU in March 2019 without an implementation period. "The documents published today are a significant milestone in this work: they ensure that there is a functioning regulatory regime from day one, and that firms are clear as to the requirements they need to meet by end March 2019 and beyond, so they can continue to meet the needs of their customers,” she added.

Global head of financial services at Norton Rose Fulbright, Jonathan Herbst welcomed the announcement: “Major institutions have planned for all Brexit scenarios for over two years but this grace period will offer relief and a degree of regulatory predictability.”

Earlier this week, the FCA published information for regulated firms in different sectors to consider if or how they will be affected by Brexit and what action they may need to take. This includes information specific to the banking sector, UK‑based pensions and retirement income firms, general insurance firms, retail firms, wholesale banks, markets and asset managers operating in the UK.

As most of the changes proposed today will be made under powers given to the FCA under the EU (Withdrawal) Act, they are subject to approval by the Treasury.

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