8. The Q&A mechanism is a practical convergence tool used to promote common supervisory approaches and practices under Article 29(2) of the ESMA Regulation [Regulation (EU) No 1095/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 establishing a European Supervisory Authority (European Securities and Markets Authority), amending Decision No 716/2009/EC and repealing Commission Decision 2009/77/EC Regulation, 15.12.2010, L331/84.].

9. Therefore, due to the nature of Q&As, formal consultation on the draft answers is considered unnecessary. However, even if they are not formally consulted on, ESMA may check them with representatives of ESMA’s Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group, the relevant Standing Committees’ Consultative Working Group or, where specific expertise is needed, with other external parties. In this particular case, considering the date of application of the Regulation and the desirability of providing clarity to the market as soon as possible, ESMA has not engaged in such consultations.

10. ESMA will periodically review these questions and answers to identify if, in a certain area, there is a need to convert some of the material into ESMA Guidelines and recommendations. In such cases, the procedures foreseen under Article 16 of the ESMA Regulation would be followed.