Insurance rules delay approved by Council

14 February 2018

EU ambassadors confirmed, on behalf of the Council, an agreement to delay the transposition deadline and application of new rules on insurance distribution.

Directive 2016/97 is aimed at improving consumer protectionfor insurance products. It is currently due to apply from 23 February 2018, and member states have until then to transpose it into national laws and regulations.

However, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, it has been agreed to postpone the transposition deadline to 1 July 2018 and the application date to 1 October 2018.

The delay will enable the insurance industry to better prepare for the directive and for the changes necessary to comply with implementing rules. Member states will have more time to transpose the directive's provisions.

Adopted in December 2015, the directive seeks to:

• improve retail insurance rules in a manner that will facilitate market integration;
• establish the conditions necessary for fair competition between distributors of insurance products;
• strengthen policyholder protection, in particular with regard to life insurance products with an investment element.

Full press release

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