On 1 July 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) issued a Public Statement regarding the publication or distribution of ESG ratings by third parties in the period from 2 July 2026 until authorisation, recognition or registration of ESG rating providers.
The Public Statement concerns Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/3005 (the ESG Rating Regulation) which provides for a number of exemptions to its scope of application. In particular, Article 2(2)(k) exempts ESG ratings issued by an “authorised ESG rating provider” where such ratings are published or distributed by a third party. In the Public Statement ESMA seeks to clarify how it will apply this exemption in the time-period from 2 July to 2 November 2026.