Published on December 20 by the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), the Revised Guidelines on the use of a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) aim at clarifying their scope as well as facilitating and further promoting their use.

The Guidelines do not define when a LEI should be used. The use of a LEI in reporting and disclosure requirements will be incorporated in the future in new or amended legislative acts.

• The scope of legal entities has been broadened to include entities such as insurance, reinsurance and ancillary insurance intermediaries operating cross-border business and branches established in a third country and belonging to insurance or reinsurance undertaking with head office situated within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Although addressed to competent authorities, impacted firms should anticipate the impact on their LEI use and take the necessary actions for compliance.

These Guidelines repeal and replace the previous Guidelines published in October 2014 and will apply from 1 July 2022.