Reviewing body for prospectuses
The reviewing body must be licensed by FINMA. FINMA may license several reviewing bodies. A registration body must be organised in such a way that it can perform its tasks independently. The persons responsible for the management of the reviewing body must provide the guarantee of irreproachable business conduct, enjoy a good reputation and hold the necessary specialist qualifications. If more than one reviewing body is authorised, they must coordinate their practice.
What a reviewing body does
The reviewing body checks that prospectuses are complete, coherent and comprehensible. The review is based on the applicable prospectus scheme for the type of securities, as set out in the Annex to the FinSO. The review must be conducted within 10 calendar days and within 20 calendar days for new issuers.
Supervision by FINMA and notification of changes
The reviewing body must notify FINMA in advance of any changes, such as a change to a member of ultimate management or changes to the organisational basis. However, they do not need to be approved by FINMA.
FINMA does not monitor the reviewing body on an ongoing basis. However, if FINMA becomes aware that the reviewing body no longer fulfils the requirements and is no longer able to perform its tasks properly, FINMA will instruct the reviewing body to take the necessary steps to correct the deficiencies. If the reviewing body is unable to correct the deficiencies within an appropriate period, FINMA may revoke authorisation as a reviewing body.
FINMA has authorised the first two reviewing bodies on the 1st of June 2020.
