The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed Regulation E-Delivery, a rule that would allow issuers, broker-dealers, investment advisers and other covered entities to satisfy federal securities law delivery obligations electronically without first obtaining a recipient’s affirmative consent. The proposal would move from a paper-by-default model to an electronic default for recipients that have provided an electronic address and do not opt out, while preserving the ability to receive paper free of charge on request. It would generally replace the SEC’s longstanding guidance-based framework for electronic delivery. The framework would apply broadly to required disclosures and reports, including issuer and fund prospectuses, fund annual and semiannual shareholder reports, proxy statements, trade confirmations, Form CRS disclosures and Form ADV Part 2 brochures. Covered information that does not include personal financial information could be sent directly to an electronic address, while information containing personal financial information would have to be delivered through a statement of availability that links to a safeguarded website. The proposal also would require covered entities to provide clear e-delivery disclosures, maintain processes for paper requests, opt-outs and electronic address updates, and adopt written policies and procedures to identify and remediate failed electronic delivery. To align the wider framework, the SEC also proposed rescinding Investment Company Act Rule 30e-3 and amending rules on proxy, information statement and tender offer dissemination. For recipients currently receiving paper, the proposal includes a transition process under which covered entities would send an initial paper notice at least 180 days before switching to default electronic delivery and a follow-up paper notice 30 days before the transition, unless the recipient updates or confirms an electronic address earlier. The comment period is open for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission2026-07-16
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposes Regulation E-Delivery to make electronic delivery the default with paper available on request
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission proposed Regulation E-Delivery to let issuers, broker-dealers, investment advisers and others meet federal securities law delivery requirements electronically without first obtaining affirmative consent, while keeping paper available free on request. The proposal would broadly cover prospectuses, shareholder reports, proxy statements, trade confirmations and other disclosures, require secure website access for information containing personal financial information, and would rescind Rule 30e-3 and amend proxy and tender offer delivery rules. Comments are due 60 days after Federal Register publication.