(4)

According to the first condition, CRAs in third countries must be subject to authorisation or registration and to effective supervision and enforcement on an ongoing basis. The Hong Kong legal and regulatory framework for CRAs consists of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) and the Code of Conduct for Persons Providing Credit Rating Services (COC), the relevant amendments to which came into effect on 1 June 2011. CRAs and their rating analysts who provide credit rating services in Hong Kong are required to be licensed for providing credit rating services and are subject to supervision by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong legal and supervisory framework endows SFC with a comprehensive range of powers allowing it to investigate whether CRAs comply with their legal obligations. The SFC can compel both unregulated and regulated persons to produce information and documents relevant to the investigation, including trade records, bank records, telephone records, internet records and beneficial ownership information. This power applies to both persons under investigation or whom the SFC has reasonable cause to believe are in possession of information relevant to the investigation. In addition, where there is fear of destruction or removal of evidence, flight of target or other concerns, the SFC has the power to access private premises of both unregulated and regulated persons upon the grant of a search warrant by a judicial authority. In addition, the SFC has a full range of powers to take criminal, civil, administrative and other actions. This includes the administrative power to impose disciplinary sanctions against persons licensed or registered with the SFC, to impose restrictions on licensed or registered persons regarding their business activities, to revoke or suspend a licensed or registered person's licence or registration and to reprimand, impose obligations or fine the licensed or registered person up to a maximum of 10 million Hong Kong dollars or three times of profit gained or loss avoided. The SFC also has the power to apply to the relevant court for injunctive or remedial orders. The SFC conducts, in addition to onsite inspections, offsite supervision through interactions with licensed CRAs to understand their business models and plans and the risks inherent in such activities, with a view to identifying and assessing the risks arising from their business activities. Information on licensed CRAs is collected through filings with the SFC, including but not limited to annual audited accounts and annual control review reports. The SFC also follows up on complaints and self-reported breaches. Since the Hong Kong CRA regime became effective on 1 June 2011, all licensed CRAs are subject to ongoing supervision and enforcement powers of the SFC. The cooperation agreement concluded between ESMA and SFC provides for information exchange with regard to enforcement and supervisory measures taken against cross border CRAs. On this basis, it should be considered that CRAs in Hong Kong are subject to authorisation or registration requirements equivalent to those laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1060/2009 and the Hong Kong supervisory and enforcement arrangements applicable to CRAs are effectively applied and enforced.