Industrials to be granted OTC derivative exemptions

While the EC considers exempting non-financial energy users from clearing obligations, Katie Holliday speaks to industry experts about what impacts they think this move may have

A European Commission discussion paper published on April 12 has signified a potential victory for industrials campaigning against regulatory proposals to impose stricter regulations on over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trades.

The paper stated that, in principle, non-financial companies should be exempt from obligations to trade through clearing houses. End-user pressure groups, including airline Lufthansa, construction firm Caterpillar and aerospace engineer Rolls Royce, have argued that