On July 19, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a letter requesting that any ESG-related claims are clear, accurate and not misleading when submitting fund applications and managing funds on an ongoing basis.

The guiding principles provide the FCA ‘expectations for the design, delivery and disclosure of responsible and sustainable investment funds’, expectations that are complementary to the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

The FCA’s guidance only applies to FCA authorized investment funds. UK Fund Managers with cross-border activities in the EU or Fund Managers that market into the UK should determine whether they should just comply with the FCA’s guidance or should also comply with the SFDR.

The guiding principles don't include funds that integrate ESG considerations into their investment processes.