PARIS, May 4, 2026 — European Securities and Markets Authority said Monday it has launched a harmonised approach to funds reporting and set out a path toward more streamlined transaction reporting across European markets, in a statement.
The regulator said it published two reports on May 4 as part of its Simplification and Burden Reduction initiative, outlining measures aimed at reducing duplication in reporting requirements while improving data quality and supervisory effectiveness across the European Union.
Integrated EU framework for funds reporting
ESMA said it is moving away from fragmented national reporting systems toward a common EU reporting framework built on a single reporting template. The framework is intended to remain proportionate across different fund sizes and investment strategies while meeting supervisory needs.
The authority said the approach is designed to reduce duplication in data submissions, improve the consistency and usability of reported data, and enable more effective supervision across jurisdictions. It outlined a hybrid operational model under which data collection would remain at national level, while data validation, storage and analytics would be organised at EU level.
ESMA said a centralised hub would facilitate information sharing among national competent authorities and reduce duplicative reporting requests. The regulator added that it will develop regulatory and implementing technical standards next year, with implementation expected to proceed in phases. The first phase will focus on integrating reporting under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive and the UCITS framework, followed by a broader expansion to other reporting obligations.
Transaction reporting simplification under review
In a separate interim report, ESMA said it is advancing a holistic review of transaction reporting frameworks, based on feedback from more than 100 respondents to its earlier call for evidence.
The regulator said it has identified key drivers of cost and complexity in current systems, including overlapping and inconsistent reporting requirements, fragmented reporting channels, unsynchronised regulatory changes and dual reporting obligations. It is assessing potential long-term approaches, including instrument-based reporting models, dual-side simplifications and the potential introduction of a “report once” framework across EMIR, MiFIR and the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation.
ESMA said the interim report does not include policy recommendations at this stage, citing the need for further cost-benefit analysis. It added that it will continue engaging with market participants, including through an open hearing scheduled for May 28, before publishing final recommendations by mid-year.
Data central to supervision
ESMA Chair Verena Ross said the initiative is aimed at reducing operational burden while strengthening supervisory capabilities through improved data collection and sharing.
“The objective is to reduce operational burden for market participants by introducing the principle of ‘reporting once’, while also improving data quality and supervisory effectiveness,” Ross said.
She added that data collected from market participants remains central to how ESMA and national authorities monitor risks, identify vulnerabilities and safeguard financial stability across EU markets.
Background
ESMA said the reports are part of its broader Simplification and Burden Reduction initiative, which seeks to address increasing complexity and operational costs associated with EU reporting requirements across funds and transaction-level frameworks.
