The purpose of this CfE is to gather feedback from stakeholders to better understand how retail investors engage with investment services, and whether regulatory or non-regulatory barriers may be discouraging participation in capital markets.

The CfE explores:

Alongside the CfE, ESMA also publishes a summary of the main points, translated into all EU languages to facilitate responses from consumers and their representatives.

As part of broader efforts to support efficient simplification and burden reduction measures, ESMA launched this work to assess whether current rules support or hinder retail investor participation, and to explore if simplifications could help investors better engage with capital markets without weakening existing protections.

Interested parties – including firms, trade associations, and consumer organisations – are invited to submit their input by .

Based on the responses, ESMA, together with National Competent Authorities, will assess whether specific regulatory adjustments or clarifications may be needed to enhance investor protection and retail engagement in financial markets.

Further information: 

Communications Officer
[email protected]