CSSF Consultations

Key dates

01 July 2026

- ESMA launches its public consultation on simplifying the EU Taxonomy disclosure framework and technical advice on selected KPIs under the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act

22 July 2026

- ESMA holds a public hearing to present its proposals and engage with stakeholders on the consultation

12 August 2026 Deadline

- Deadline for stakeholders to submit responses to ESMA’s consultation on Taxonomy disclosure simplification

By October 2026

- ESMA (and other ESAs) are expected to deliver final technical advice on the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act KPIs to the European Commission

Q1 2027

- Target date for the European Commission to complete its review of the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act based on ESAs’ advice

Suggested considerations

• Conduct an internal impact assessment of current Taxonomy Article 8 KPI calculation and reporting processes, focusing on OpEx, Commissions and Fees, Trading Book, and Underwriting KPIs, to identify pain points and simplification priorities.
• Prepare and submit a response to ESMA’s consultation by 12 August 2026, either directly or via industry associations, articulating specific operational, data, and system challenges and concrete proposals for simplification.
• Register for and attend ESMA’s public hearing on 22 July 2026 to understand the detailed proposals, ask clarifying questions, and align internal positions ahead of submission.
• Coordinate with regulatory affairs, sustainability, risk, and finance functions to develop a unified institutional position on the desired design of revised KPIs and group‑level reporting under the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act.
• Map dependencies between Taxonomy Article 8 data and other ESG reporting (including SFDR product disclosures and CSRD/ESRS reporting) to anticipate how changes to KPIs may affect cross‑framework consistency and data architecture.

What changed

• - ESMA is consulting on technical advice to the European Commission specifically targeting selected KPIs under the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act (Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation), including...
• The stated policy objective is simplification of the EU Taxonomy disclosure framework while preserving decision‑useful information for investors and supervisors.
• ESMA aims to reduce reporting burdens for market participants, notably corporates and financial institutions subject to Taxonomy Article 8 disclosures.
• The consultation covers selected KPIs under the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act, with the European Commission having requested focused advice on: OpEx KPI of non‑financial firms; Commissions and...
• ESMA is proposing more pragmatic approaches to group‑level reporting for mixed groups, including reporting at parent‑undertaking level to reduce complexity for conglomerates.

Key dates

18 June 2025

- FATF adopts modifications to Recommendation 16 to enhance payment transparency, including strengthened travel‑rule standards

24 June 2026

- FATF launches public consultation on guidance for the implementation of the updated Recommendation 16

21 August 2026 Deadline

- FATF public consultation period closes; this is the deadline for private‑sector contributions highlighted by the CSSF

End 2030

- FATF’s revised Recommendation 16 framework is expected to be fully effective, with jurisdictions having implemented the standard into national law or regulation by this date

Suggested considerations

• Map and document all existing and planned cross‑border payment and value‑transfer flows (including virtual asset transfers) to identify where FATF Recommendation 16 and travel‑rule obligations currently apply or will apply by 2030.
• Review the June 2025 FATF modifications to Recommendation 16 and the current consultation materials, and perform a gap analysis against your existing AML/CTF, KYC and payments data standards, including thresholds, data fields, and monitoring use‑cases.
• Establish an internal project for travel‑rule implementation and enhancement that spans AML, operations, technology, legal and data‑protection teams, with explicit ownership and governance.
• Strengthen beneficiary‑side transaction‑monitoring rules to use incoming travel‑rule data for sanctions, fraud and AML detection, including controls to identify misdirected or unusual payments based on name, location, and other attributes.
• Review and, where necessary, update customer due diligence and KYC procedures to ensure the availability and verification of data fields that will be required to travel with transactions (for example, address, town and country, identification numbers, date of birth).

What changed

• *(Based on the CSSF notice plus the 2025 FATF revisions to Recommendation 16 and existing travel‑rule standards; details may be further refined by the new guidance now under consultation.)*
• FATF is issuing implementation guidance for the updated Recommendation 16, which already increased obligations regarding payment transparency, including more granular beneficiary data and expanded...
• Cross‑border payments and value transfers above 1,000 USD/EUR are expected to include additional mandatory beneficiary information, such as beneficiary name, account or unique reference, and at least...
• Beneficiary institutions are given enhanced responsibilities to use travel‑rule information (not just receive it) for transaction monitoring, including detecting misdirected payments and indicators...
• The revised travel rule continues to apply to both traditional wire transfers and value transfers involving virtual assets, reinforcing that Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) must collect,...

Key dates

19 June 2026

- CSSF communiqué published announcing the two new merger authorisation forms for UCITS domestic mergers and UCITS outbound cross‑border mergers

19 June 2026 Deadline

- **Start of mandatory use of the new forms** for all **new merger authorisation applications** filed with the CSSF; applications submitted from this date must use the new templates and be sent to amendments.uci@cssf.lu

Suggested considerations

• Identify all current and planned UCITS domestic and outbound cross‑border merger projects and determine which will have CSSF authorisation requests submitted on or after 19 June 2026 so that the new forms are used.
• Download and review in detail the “Application form for authorisation of a UCITS domestic merger” and “Application form for authorisation of a UCITS outbound cross‑border merger” and map each field of the forms to existing internal data sources and documents.
• Update internal UCITS merger procedures and checklists to replace any existing CSSF filing templates with the new standardised forms and to include the requirement that all merger authorisation applications are submitted to amendments.uci@cssf.lu.
• Train legal, product, operations and compliance staff involved in UCITS mergers on how to complete the new forms accurately, including coordination of information across the prospectus, KIIDs/KIDs, common draft merger terms, depositary statements and shareholder communications.
• Review and, where necessary, update board and governance templates (board minutes, resolutions approving merger terms) to ensure they produce all information that the new forms require to be confirmed or attached.

What changed

• - The CSSF has created a standardised “Application form for authorisation of a UCITS domestic merger” specifically for merger authorisation requests where both merging and receiving UCITS are...
• The CSSF has created a standardised “Application form for authorisation of a UCITS outbound cross‑border merger” for mergers where the merging UCITS is Luxembourg‑authorised and the receiving UCITS...
• Use of the two new forms is mandatory for all new merger authorisation applications submitted to the CSSF from 19 June 2026 onwards; legacy formats (ad‑hoc letters or bespoke templates) may no longer...
• Each application form must be “duly completed” and accompanied by all documents required under the applicable UCITS merger regulations, including the common draft terms of merger, updated prospectus...
• The CSSF has specified a centralised submission channel for these applications: completed forms and supporting documentation must be sent to amendments.uci@cssf.lu, aligning merger filings with the...

Key dates

TBD (final guidance – est. late 2026)

– Expected date for CSSF to publish final guidance on MMF weekly liquid asset levels, following review of consultation feedback

08 June 2026

– CSSF publishes consultation communiqué “Guidance on Money Market Fund Weekly Liquid Asset Levels” and opens consultation on its proposed guidance

TBD (consultation deadline – likely mid‑2026) Deadline

– Expected closing date for industry comments on the consultation (to be confirmed once the full consultation paper and response deadline are made available by CSSF)

Suggested considerations

• Review the CSSF consultation paper in full as soon as it is available and identify all proposed expectations relating to weekly liquid asset levels, monitoring, and escalation.
• Map the proposed CSSF guidance against current MMF liquidity policies, prospectus disclosures, and internal procedures to identify gaps and potential areas needing enhancement.
• Assess whether existing MMF weekly liquidity monitoring tools, dashboards, and reporting are sufficient to meet anticipated CSSF expectations on frequency, granularity, and early warning indicators.
• Evaluate the current escalation framework for declining WLA levels, including board and senior management involvement, and update governance documentation to align with the likely CSSF approach to thresholds and decision‑making.
• Review MMF stress‑testing methodologies to ensure that scenarios adequately capture severe but plausible redemption and market stress in relation to WLA levels and that results are integrated into risk appetite and contingency planning.

What changed

• Given the consultation nature and the absence of a published consultation text in the extract, the following points reflect what compliance teams should reasonably anticipate and prepare for, based...
• The CSSF is consulting on formal guidance that will specify how MMFs domiciled in Luxembourg should determine, monitor, and maintain weekly liquid asset levels under the EU Money Market Funds...
• The guidance is expected to operationalise the MMFR WLA requirements (for example, minimum weekly liquidity levels and interaction with redemption activity) by setting out supervisory expectations on...
• The consultation will likely address the interaction between WLA levels and the use of liquidity management tools (such as gates, fees, or suspensions), including expectations on when and how...
• The CSSF is expected to clarify how MMFs should incorporate WLA targets and thresholds into their internal risk management policies, including stress-testing assumptions, early warning indicators,...

Key dates

End 2023

– CSSF thematic review launched by dedicated questionnaire to IFMs, with work conducted through 2024 and 2025 (contextual start of the current thematic exercise)

Throughout 2024 and 2025

– CSSF conducts off‑site and on‑site work as part of the dedicated thematic review on valuation frameworks for less liquid and illiquid assets

2026 Deadline

– Valuation risk for less liquid and illiquid assets is confirmed as a key supervisory priority, implying heightened supervisory focus and potential follow‑up actions during the year; no hard implementation deadline is set but prompt action is implicitly expected

04 June 2026

– CSSF publishes the Communication and Feedback Report on the thematic review and formally expects IFMs to perform a benchmarking exercise and implement corrective measures as needed

Suggested considerations

• Perform a structured benchmarking of existing valuation policies, procedures, methodologies and controls against the detailed observations and recommendations in the CSSF Feedback Report on valuation frameworks for less liquid and illiquid assets.
• Document, at IFM and fund level, all identified gaps or weaknesses in the current valuation framework, including for AIFs in illiquid strategies and UCITS Article 41(2) trash ratio positions.
• Develop and approve a remediation plan with clear owners, milestones and target dates to address identified shortcomings in valuation governance, methodologies, model validation, data sources and control processes.
• Review and, where necessary, update valuation policies and procedures to ensure they explicitly cover less liquid and illiquid assets, stressed market conditions, use of external valuers, and documentation standards across the investment lifecycle.
• Enhance valuation governance by clearly defining roles and responsibilities (including segregation from portfolio management where applicable), escalation procedures, and oversight by the board/senior management.

What changed

• - The CSSF publishes a dedicated Feedback Report on the thematic review of valuation frameworks for less liquid and illiquid assets and formally expects IFMs to use it as guidance for implementing...
• All Luxembourg IFMs are required to conduct a benchmarking exercise of their valuation frameworks against the CSSF’s observations and recommendations set out in the new Feedback Report.
• Where gaps or weaknesses are identified through this benchmarking, IFMs are expected to implement corrective measures to strengthen their valuation policies, procedures and lifecycle controls for...
• The thematic review scope formally covers AIFMs of AIFs investing in less liquid and illiquid assets (including private equity, real estate, infrastructure, private debt and fund of funds), and, on...
• The CSSF explicitly links this thematic work to previous supervisory exercises (ESMA CSA on valuation, CSSF self‑assessment questionnaires, and on‑site inspection feedback) and consolidates...

Key dates

18 July 2023

– CSSF publishes its Feedback Report on the ESMA Common Supervisory Action (CSA) on Valuation, setting out broad expectations for valuation frameworks, including for less liquid assets

31 December 2023 Deadline

– Deadline by which all IFMs managing UCITS and/or AIFs were required to complete a comprehensive assessment of their valuation frameworks and implement necessary corrective measures in line with the 2023 CSSF Feedback Report on valuation

Early 2026

– CSSF identifies valuation as an ongoing key supervisory priority for the investment fund sector in its 2026 priorities, with specific focus on IFM valuation organisation and processes

04 June 2026

– CSSF publishes the new Feedback Report on the thematic review of valuation frameworks for less liquid and illiquid assets, signalling renewed and more granular supervisory scrutiny of this area

TBD (2026–2027)

– CSSF is expected to conduct follow‑up supervisory work (off‑site reviews and on‑site inspections) to test implementation of its expectations on valuation of less liquid and illiquid assets; firms should plan remediation programmes within months rather than years

Suggested considerations

• Conduct a comprehensive gap analysis of existing valuation policies and procedures against the CSSF’s feedback on valuation, with specific attention to less liquid and illiquid assets, and document all identified weaknesses and remediation actions.
• Update and formally approve valuation policies and procedures to clearly define methodologies, model hierarchies, and data source selection for less liquid and illiquid assets, including explicit provisions for stressed market conditions.
• Implement or enhance a formal valuation model governance framework for illiquid asset models, including independent model validation, periodic back‑testing, documentation of assumptions, and at least annual model reviews.
• Review and, where necessary, redesign organisational arrangements to ensure the operational and hierarchical independence of the valuation function from portfolio management, and adjust remuneration policies to avoid performance‑linked incentives for valuation staff.
• Strengthen controls over external pricing providers and external valuers by documenting selection criteria, performing initial and ongoing due diligence, challenging methodologies, and periodically back‑testing third‑party valuations of illiquid assets.

What changed

• Based on the prior CSSF feedback on valuation and the indicated thematic focus, compliance teams should expect the following concrete expectations to apply specifically to less liquid and illiquid...
• Investment fund managers must maintain concise, centralised, and comprehensive valuation policies and procedures that explicitly cover all asset types, including less liquid and illiquid instruments,...
• Valuation policies must define and justify the valuation methodologies and models used for less liquid and illiquid assets, including the hierarchy of methods, model selection criteria, and...
• Firms must perform robust model governance for valuation models used on less liquid and illiquid assets, including independent model review (by staff not involved in model development), back‑testing,...
• Valuation frameworks must explicitly address stressed market conditions for illiquid and thinly traded assets, including triggers for stress conditions, alternative valuation methodologies under...

Key dates

02 June 2026

- CSSF publishes the reminder on T+1 readiness, survey participation, and ESMA’s consultation work

09 June 2026 Deadline

- Deadline to complete the CSSF national competent authorities’ T+1 readiness survey

07 December 2026

- Expected application date of the revised ESMA guidelines on standardised procedures and messaging protocols

11 October 2027

- T+1 settlement cycle becomes effective under CSDR

Suggested considerations

• Complete the CSSF T+1 readiness survey before 9 June 2026 and ensure the submission accurately reflects the firm’s current operational readiness.
• Participate in the EU T+1 Industry Committee second readiness survey to demonstrate engagement with the EU-wide readiness process.
• Review the firm’s allocation and confirmation workflows to ensure they can operate within T+1 timeframes.
• Replace any reliance on oral, manual, or non-machine-readable communications with electronic, standardised messaging channels unless a temporary technical disruption justifies an exception.
• Align internal messaging standards with international messaging protocols used for post-trade communication.

What changed

• - CSSF is requiring market participants to complete the national competent authorities’ T+1 readiness survey by 9 June 2026, with responses visible only to CSSF and ESMA.
• CSSF is strongly encouraging participation in the EU T+1 Industry Committee second readiness survey to support a Union-wide assessment of market preparedness.
• CSSF is flagging that the transition to T+1 settlement on 11 October 2027 under CSDR will require coordinated changes across the trading and post-trading chain.
• CSSF is warning that forthcoming amendments to the RTS on Settlement Discipline are expected to be endorsed by the European Commission and will further define operational requirements for the T+1...
• ESMA’s revised guidelines on standardised procedures and messaging protocols are intended to make post-trade communication faster, clearer, and more consistent across the EU.

Key dates

09 June 2026 Deadline

- Deadline for Luxembourg market participants to complete the CSSF national competent authorities’ T+1 readiness survey

07 December 2026

- Expected application date of revised ESMA guidelines on standardised procedures and messaging protocols and the aligned new RTS on Settlement Discipline requirements on allocations and confirmations

11 October 2027

- Effective date for the transition to a T+1 settlement cycle in the EU under CSDR

Suggested considerations

• Identify all group entities and business lines in Luxembourg that are in scope of CSDR T+1 (trading, clearing, settlement, custody, collateral, fund dealing) and formally designate a T+1 programme owner at senior management level.
• Complete the CSSF T+1 national competent authorities’ survey in full and by 9 June 2026, ensuring that responses accurately reflect current readiness, key risks, dependencies on third parties, and planned remediation milestones.
• Arrange for appropriate internal review and sign‑off (e.g. by Compliance and relevant senior management) of the responses to both the CSSF survey and the EUIC second readiness survey before submission.
• Participate in the EU T+1 Industry Committee second readiness survey and ensure the firm’s answers are consistent with the information provided to CSSF and with internal T+1 project documentation.
• Perform a comprehensive T+1 impact assessment of front‑to‑back trade flows, covering trade execution, allocation, confirmation, affirmation, clearing, settlement, collateral movements, cash and liquidity management, and corporate actions.

What changed

• - The EU settlement cycle for in‑scope financial instruments under CSDR will shorten from T+2 to T+1 with effect from 11 October 2027, materially reducing the time to complete front‑to‑back trade,...
• CSSF has launched a national competent authorities’ T+1 readiness survey and sets a firm completion deadline of 9 June 2026 for Luxembourg market participants, treating it as a critical supervisory...
• In parallel, CSSF strongly encourages Luxembourg firms to complete the EU T+1 Industry Committee (EUIC) second readiness survey to support an EU‑wide view of T+1 readiness and potential systemic...
• ESMA’s final draft amendments to the CSDR RTS on Settlement Discipline will introduce additional operational requirements specifically designed to support T+1 (e.g.
• ESMA has launched a consultation on updated guidelines on standardised procedures and messaging protocols for allocations, confirmations and affirmations, explicitly aimed at facilitating the T+1...

Suggested considerations

• Register for 20 May 2026 public hearing to engage directly on practical application across group structures.[https://www.amla.europa.eu/events/public-hearing-draft-rts-group-wide-minimum-requirements-and-additional-measures-subsidiaries-and-2026-05-20_en]
• Assess current group-wide AML/CFT frameworks against proposed minimums, identifying gaps in third-country controls, risk consolidation, and data sharing protocols.

What changed

• - Group-wide AML/CFT frameworks: Establishes minimum standards for design and implementation across groups, including cross-border structures and third-country operations, to enable consolidated...
• Third-country subsidiaries and branches: Introduces additional measures for entities in non-EU countries, extending requirements beyond traditional groups to other...
• Information sharing and parent identification: Defines provisions for intra-group data sharing and criteria to identify the EU parent undertaking when multiple entities report to a third-country head...
• Interlinked mandates: Cross-references obligations between Articles 16(4) and 17(3) for complementary requirements on organizational...

Key dates

Later in 2026

- Final adoption of guidelines and technical standards

16 April 2026

- Consultation launched

20 May 2026, 10:00–12:00 CET

- Public hearing on draft RTS on group-wide requirements

28 May 2026, 10:00–12:00 CET

- Public hearing on draft Guidelines on business-wide risk assessment

15 July 2026 Deadline

- Consultation deadline for submissions

Suggested considerations

• *Immediate (by 15 July 2026):
• Review draft Guidelines and assess alignment with current BWRA practices
• Identify gaps between existing risk assessment frameworks and proposed minimum requirements
• Prepare formal consultation responses, particularly if your organization operates in non-financial sectors
• Register for relevant public hearings (28 May for BWRA Guidelines; 20 May for group-wide RTS) to engage directly with AMLA

What changed

• The draft Guidelines introduce four minimum requirements for conducting adequate business-wide risk assessments applicable to all obliged entities. The framework mandates that entities:
• Identify risk exposure across their business model, customers, products, services, transactions, delivery channels, and geographical exposure
• Maintain consolidated risk views across group structures, eliminating silos between branches and subsidiaries
• Utilize internal and external data sources to build comprehensive risk landscapes, including monitoring customer behavior changes and tracking international typologies
• Apply proportionality based on entity size, business model, and risk profile, while ensuring consistent application of policies across the organization The guidelines specifically address evaluation...