PDCOB 1 Application and purpose

1. (1)

   The Pensions Dashboards: Conduct of Business sourcebook (PDCOB) is the specialist sourcebook for firms carrying on regulated pensions dashboard activity.

2. (2)

   PDCOB applies as described in the General Application provisions in PDCOB 1.3, unless modified in the manner described in the application provisions of a particular chapter, section or rule.

3. (3)

   PERG 12A contains general guidance on when a firm will be carrying on regulated pensions dashboard activity. Where a firm enters an outsourcing arrangement with a third party, the third party will need to consider whether it is also carrying on regulated pensions dashboard activity taking into account the guidance in PERG 12A.

Firms are reminded that they may require permissions to carry on regulated activities other than regulated pensions dashboard activity, in which case firms will need to comply with the conduct requirements in the FCA Handbook that are relevant to those activities in the usual way.

Firms are also reminded that they may need to comply with other sourcebooks relating to conduct of business in the FCA Handbook (for example, COBS) where they also fall within the application provisions of those sourcebooks.

The purpose of PDCOB is to set out the detailed obligations that are specific to a firm carrying on regulated pensions dashboard activity and any related services carried on by that firm that are permitted under the rules in this sourcebook. PDCOB 17 refers to the other high-level obligations in the FCA Handbook that apply to such firms – for example, PRIN, SYSC and GEN.

For the purposes of PDCOB 1.3.1R(1), firms are reminded of the guidance in PERG 12A on when a firm will be carrying on regulated pensions dashboard activity and who will be considered to be the operator in relation to a particular qualifying pensions dashboard service where there is more than one party or firm involved.