# Article 1 — Subject matter **Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/731 · binding · OJ L 158, 6.5.2021 · dated 26 Jan 2021 [in force]** *In force · Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/731, OJ L 158, 6.5.2021 · Checked against EUR-Lex on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2021/731/oj/eng)* This Regulation specifies further the rules of procedure regarding fines and periodic penalty payments to be imposed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on third-country central counterparties (CCPs) or related third parties to whom those CCPs have outsourced operational functions or activities subject to ESMA’s investigation and enforcement proceedings, including rules on the right of defence and limitation periods.