By Yakubu LAAH InvestAdvocate

Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)- The Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) and the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Monday published a report on trade repository data entitled Authorities’ access to trade repository data.

According to IOSCO, trade repositories (TRs) are entities that maintain a centralised electronic record of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives transaction data.

“TRs play a key role in increasing transparency in the OTC derivatives markets by improving the availability of data to authorities and the public in a manner that supports the proper handling and use of the data,” IOSCO said.

IOSCO affirmed that for a broad range of authorities and international financial institutions, it is essential to be able to access the data needed to fulfill their respective mandates while maintaining the confidentiality of the data pursuant to the laws of relevant jurisdictions.

IOSCO further affirmed that the purpose of the report issued Monday is to provide guidance to TRs and authorities on the principles that should guide authorities’ access to data held in TRs for typical and non-typical data requests.

“The report describes the expected data access needs of authorities using a functional approach complemented by an illustrative data access mapping that aligns each function to the minimum level of access authorities would typically require in support of their mandates and responsibilities,” IOSCO said.

According to IOSCO, the report also sets out possible approaches to addressing procedural and legal constraints to data access as well as confidentiality concerns. “Authorities and TRs are encouraged to develop and maintain access policies and arrangements informed by the guidance and mapping outlined in the report,” the Commission said.