16/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 16 April, MEPs meeting in Strasbourg approved by 534 votes the agreement reached in February between the European Parliament and the EU Council (see EUROPE 12203/3) on the Directive and Regulation that make up the legislative package on investment firms. The package introduces a three-category classification of investment firms according to their size, nature and complexity, which will make it possible to subject them to proportional prudential and supervisory requirements (see EUROPE 11930/10). “This new framework is much more proportional, but it is also more stable and sustainable, especially with regard to the regime applicable to non-Member States”, said the rapporteur, Markus Ferber (EPP, Germany). The co-legislators also agreed on strengthening the equivalence rules that would apply to investment firms from non-Member States, including British companies, once the country has left the EU. (MF)