European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is an independent EU Authority that was established on 1 January 2011. ESMA’s mission is to enhance the protection of investors and promote stable and well-functioning financial markets in the European Union (EU).

As an independent institution, ESMA achieves this aim by building a single rule book for EU financial markets and ensuring its consistent application across the EU. ESMA contributes to the regulation of financial services firms with a pan-European reach, either through direct supervision or through the active co-ordination of national supervisory activity. ESMA works closely with the other European Supervisory Authorities responsible for banking (EBA), and insurance and occupational pensions (EIOPA), and the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB).