THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2016 on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts or to measure the performance of investment funds and amending Directives 2008/48/EC and 2014/17/EU and Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 [OJ L 171, 29.6.2016, p. 1.], and in particular Article 20(6)(c) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) In view of the general nature of the qualitative condition of Article 20(1)(c)(iii) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 and the need to ensure a consistent application by competent authorities of that condition, it is appropriate to set out how, in the context of critical benchmarks, (i) the cessation of the provision of a benchmark, or (ii) the provision of a benchmark on the basis of input data which are no longer fully representative of the underlying market or economic reality, or (iii) the provision of a benchmark on the basis of unreliable input data, could have a significant and adverse impact on market integrity, financial stability, consumers, the real economy, or the financing of households and businesses in one or more Member States.

(2) Critical benchmarks are often used in Member States other than the Member State where they are provided and are used in different ways, depending on the Member State in which they are used. Therefore there is potential for significant impact in either one or more Member States or at Union level. Similarly, there is potential for significant adverse impact with regard to only one or more of the criteria referred to in Article 20(1)(c)(iii) It is therefore important to conduct the assessment both at national or market level as well as at Union level.