Amendment to SEBI Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015



Quick Summary
SEBI has introduced significant amendments to the Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations, 2015, effective from July 17, 2020. These changes primarily focus on the Structured Digital Database (SDD), requiring it to be maintained internally and for a minimum of eight years. The regulations also clarify exemptions for trading windows and mandate the remittance of penalties collected from disciplinary actions to the Investors Protection & Education Fund (IPEF).

SEBI has issued a notification dated 17th July, 2020 on Amendment to SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 effective from aforesaid date. We give below a summary of the major amendments, for your information:

I. Structured Digital Database (SDD)

Regulation 3 (5) (Communication or procurement of unpublished price sensitive information)has been substituted.

Before Amendment

After Amendment

The Board of Directors were mandatorily required to maintain SDD

The Board of Directors can assign responsibility of maintaining SDD to Head(s) of the organisation of every person required to handle unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI)

SDD required name of person with whom information is shared and sent, detail of PAN or other Identity proof of such person

Now, additionally nature of UPSI and name of person who shared UPSI is also required to be added in SDD

SDD could be outsourced

Now, there is a prohibition for outsourcing the work relating to maintaining SDD. It shall be maintained internally.

SEBI Insider Trading Regulations 2015: Key Amendments Explained

II. Period of maintaining SDD

In Regulation 3, sub-regulation 6 has been inserted.

Before Amendment

After Amendment

There was no time limit mentioned for preserving SDD

Now, it is compulsory to preserve information of SDD for minimum 8 years after completion of relevant transaction

If there is any investigation by SEBI, SDD information is required to be maintained or preserved till completion of investigation or proceedings of SEBI

III. Amendments to Schedule B (Minimum Standard for Code of Conduct for Listed Companies to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading by Designated Person)

Clauses of schedule B

Before Amendment

After Amendment

4 (3)(b)

--------------

Trading window restrictions will not be applicable to transactions which are undertaken through such other mechanism as may be specified by the Board from time to time

12

No such requirement

Now, it is compulsory for the company to transfer funds/ penalty collected from any disciplinary action to be remitted to SEBI for transferring to IPEF*

13

On violation of PIT Regulations, Company was immediately required to inform SEBI.

Now, on violation of PIT Regulations, Company is required to immediately inform Stock exchanges.

IV. Amendments to Schedule C (Minimum Standards for Code of Conduct for Intermediaries and Fiduciaries to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading by Designated Persons)

 

Clauses of schedule C

Before Amendment

After Amendment

10

No such requirement

Now, fine /penalty for contravention of code of conduct shall be remitted to SEBI for crediting to IPEF*

11

On violation of PIT Regulations, intermediary or fiduciary was immediately required to inform SEBI.

Now, on violation of PIT Regulations, intermediary or fiduciary is required to immediately inform Stock exchanges.

 

*IPEF- Investors Protection & Education Fund established by SEBI.

In furtherance to the aforesaid matter SEBI has issued a circular dated 23rd July, 2020 providing format of intimation to stock exchange and account details for transferring funds to SEBI.

FAQ :

The amendments to the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, are effective from July 17, 2020.

The Board of Directors can now assign the responsibility of maintaining the SDD to the Head(s) of the organisation. The SDD must now include the nature of UPSI shared and the name of the person who shared it. Crucially, the maintenance of the SDD cannot be outsourced and must be kept internally.

Information in the SDD must now be preserved for a minimum of 8 years after the completion of the relevant transaction. If there's an ongoing SEBI investigation, the information must be preserved until the investigation or proceedings are completed.

Yes, trading window restrictions will not apply to transactions undertaken through other mechanisms as specified by the Board from time to time.

Funds or penalties collected from any disciplinary action must be remitted to SEBI for transferring to the Investors Protection & Education Fund (IPEF).

On violation of PIT Regulations, companies are now required to immediately inform the stock exchanges, and intermediaries or fiduciaries are also required to immediately inform the stock exchanges.


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