The European Securities and Markets Authority has published the register of firms authorised to act as external reviewers of European Green Bonds. The move marks the start of ESMA supervision over registered reviewers from 22 June 2026 and the end of the transitional regime, meaning firms listed only in ESMA’s transitional register must stop providing external review activities from that date. Registered external reviewers must now comply fully with the European Green Bond Regulation. Requirements include clear senior management accountability, strong analytical capabilities, robust and transparent methodologies, effective internal controls and a comprehensive framework for managing conflicts of interest. ESMA has also created a separate register for firms that notified it under Articles 69 and 70 and were allowed to operate during the transitional period, including the periods in which they were active, to support transparency for previously issued European Green Bonds. Issuers planning a European Green Bond should use ESMA’s register to select a registered external reviewer for pre-issuance, post-issuance and, where applicable, impact report reviews. ESMA will update the register regularly to reflect changes in registration status and newly approved applications.
European Securities and Markets Authority2026-06-22
European Securities and Markets Authority publishes register of authorised European Green Bond external reviewers as transitional regime ends
The European Securities and Markets Authority has published the register of firms authorised to act as external reviewers of European Green Bonds. From 22 June 2026, those reviewers are under ESMA supervision and must comply fully with the European Green Bond Regulation, while firms in the transitional register must cease external review activities. ESMA has also set up a separate register covering firms that operated during the transitional period.