The spelling of the word "CESR" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /sɛsər/. The first three letters represent the initialism for the European Securities and Markets Authority, while the trailing "r" is typically pronounced in British English. The "c" is pronounced as /s/ due to its proximity to the "e" and "s," which also produce the /s/ sound. Despite its unconventional spelling, this acronym has become a widely recognized term within the financial industry.
CESR stands for Committee of European Securities Regulators. It was an independent advisory committee formed in 2001 that aimed to promote harmonization and coordination of securities regulation across Europe. CESR was established to enhance the functioning and effectiveness of European securities markets and protect investors' interests.
The primary role of CESR was to provide advice and recommendations to the European Commission on matters related to securities regulation. It developed common standards and best practices, ensuring consistent application of securities laws across all member states of the European Union (EU). CESR also facilitated cooperation and information exchange between national competent authorities regarding regulatory issues, enforcement activities, and supervisory practices.
Furthermore, CESR played a crucial role in supporting EU legislative initiatives related to securities regulation. It assisted in the preparation of legislative proposals, provided technical advice and expertise, and contributed to the development of regulatory frameworks such as the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).
In 2011, CESR was replaced by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) under the European System of Financial Supervision (ESFS). ESMA assumed most of CESR's responsibilities and extended its mandate to cover broader areas such as credit rating agencies and trade repositories. However, the foundational work and contributions of CESR in establishing a unified and well-regulated European securities market remain significant.