The Statutory Audit Directive 2006/43/EC¹  (the "Audit Directive”), adopted by the European Union on 17 May 2006 for implementation into national law of Member States by 29 June 2008, introduces new regulatory requirements for statutory auditors and audit entities²  providing an audit report of companies incorporated outside the European Union and the European Economic Area³  (hereafter “EU/EEA”) whose transferable securities are admitted to trading on European regulated markets.

Furthermore, the European Commission adopted a Decision granting a transitional period for audit activities of 34 third-country audit entities (Decision 2008/627/EC).

In Luxembourg, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (the "CSSF") is the competent public oversight authority for statutory auditors and audit firms, including third-country audit entities. The missions and powers conferred to the CSSF are set out in the law of 18 December 2009 concerning the audit profession⁴  (“Loi relative à la profession de l’audit”) (the "Audit Law”).

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THIRD-COUNTRY AUDIT ENTITIES

The registration requirements under Article 45 of the Audit Directive have been transposed into Articles 79 and 80 of the Audit Law. Pursuant to Article 79(1), third-country audit entities which provide audit services to companies incorporated outside the Community whose transferable securities are admitted to trading on the Luxembourg regulated market are required to apply for registration with the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier – Department “Public oversight of the audit profession". However, in accordance with Article 81 of the Audit Law, the CSSF may, if reciprocity is ensured, modify or disapply the registration requirements of Article 79(1) of the Audit Law with regard to audit entities originating from a third country which has been declared as equivalent in accordance with Article 46 of the Audit Directive.

Registered third-country audit entities are entered in a public register administrated by the CSSF.

Two registration procedures have to be distinguished:

1. “Light registration” in accordance with the requirement of the Commission Decision 2008/627/EC on transitional arrangements (Transitional registration regime - Form A (LU)) or;

2. “Full registration” in accordance with Articles 79 and 80 of the Audit Law (Full registration regime - Form B (LU)).

Further information on both registration regimes, including their relevant application forms and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are available here.

FURTHER INFORMATION

European Commission – Relations with third countries

REGISTRATION OF THIRD-COUNTRY AUDIT ENTITIES IN OTHER EU/EEA MEMBER STATES

Auditor Oversight Commission, Germany

Autoriteit Financiele Markten, Netherlands

Financial Supervisory Board of Public Accountants, Norway

Professional Oversight Board, UK

¹ Articles 45 and 46 of the Audit Directive set the framework for the regulation in Europe of third-country auditors and audit entities.

² The term “third-country audit entity” refers to both single practitioners and audit firms originating from a third country.

³ European Member States, plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

⁴ Chapter XI of this law is dedicated to the international aspects.