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---
title: "ESMA Q&A 1591 — Q&A — Assignment of MICs to APAs [Answer Published]"
shortTitle: "ESMA Q&A 1591 — Q&A — Assignment of MICs to APAs [Answer Published]"
answer_id: ESMA_QA_1591
topic: "Data reporting services providers"
status: "Answer Published"
type: qa
instrument_type: qa
authority: ESMA
binding: false
binding_character: non_binding
legal_status: in_force
regulation: "MiFIR"
mifir_level3: true
mica_level2: false
legal_basis: "Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/587 (RTS 1) and Regulation 2017/583 (RTS 2)"
date: 31 May 2017
source_link: https://www.esma.europa.eu/publications-data/questions-answers/1591
lifecycle: "Answer Published"
text_version: "ESMA Q&A register, 31 May 2017"
source_url: "https://www.esma.europa.eu/publications-data/questions-answers/1591"
check_status: matched
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last_checked: 2026-10-26
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document_type: "qa_answer"
legal_nature: "not_legislation"
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dates:
  published_on: "2017-05-31"
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lifecycle_label: "Answer Published"
---

**Answer by ESMA, published in its Q&A tool · not legislation · published 31 May 2017 [Answer Published]**

*Answer Published · ESMA Q&A register, 31 May 2017 · Checked against the ESMA publication on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://www.esma.europa.eu/publications-data/questions-answers/1591)*

| | |
|---|---|
| **Full title** | ESMA Q&A 1591 — Q&A — Assignment of MICs to APAs \[Answer Published\] |
| **Prepared by** | ESMA |
| **Published by** | ESMA, in the ESMA Q&A tool |
| **Reference** | ESMA_QA_1591 |
| **Document type** | Q&A |
| **Legal nature** | Not legislation |
| **Addressees** | Not stated in the document |
| **Dates** | Published 31 May 2017; question submitted 31 May 2017 |
| **Legal basis** | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/587 (RTS 1) and Regulation 2017/583 (RTS 2) |
| **Related instruments** | None recorded |
| **Text on this page** | Word for word — the full text of the ESMA publication |

**Assignment of MICs to APAs**

### Question

Who will assign the identifier for the APA?

***

### Answer

\[ESMA 70-872942901-35 MiFIR transparency Q&A, Q&A 8.2\]

According to table 3 of Annex I of RTS 1 and table 2 of Annex II of RTS 2, APAs will be identified by either a MIC or a 4-character code. ESMA considers that the best way to ensure a harmonised and unequivocal identification of APAs and trading venues is to provide for a harmonised allocation of the identifier, such as MICs. While there is no legal obligation for APAs to use MICs, ESMA recommends that APAs request the MIC code from the ISO 10383 Registration Authority (SWIFT). The creation, maintenance and deactivation of MICs is free of charge.

***

**Source:** [ESMA original document](https://www.esma.europa.eu/publications-data/questions-answers/1591)