New European AML/CFT Legislation
On 10 July 2027, new European anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules will enter into force, more specifically the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR) and the Anti-Money Laundering Directive (AMLD6). This legislation aims to ensure an uniform European supervisory framework and a Single Rule Book. Another component of the new EU AML/CFT package is the establishment of an European supervisor, the EU Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA), based in Frankfurt. The entry into force of AMLA is governed by the European Regulation AMLAR.
Starting from January 2028, AMLA will directly supervise the forty most high-risk European financial institutions. AMLA will also establish Joint Supervisory Teams (JSTs) for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing supervision of financial institutions. In addition, AMLA will exercise indirect supervision over other financial institutions by setting supervisory standards and methodologies and by overseeing the quality of national supervision.
The AMLAR and the AMLR will have direct effect in the Netherlands. The Directive (AMLD6) must be implemented into national legislation. This is envisaged through the Implementation Act on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Iwt), which will replace the current Wwft.
The new European anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules will apply, inter alia, to investment firms, (managers of) investment funds and UCITS, providers of crypto-asset services, crowdfunding platforms, and credit providers and credit intermediaries. This means that these financial institutions must prepare in a timely manner for these changes.
More information on the European anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing rules can be found on the European Commission’s website (Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism at EU level). Further information on the European supervisor AMLA and the guidelines applied or issued by AMLA in the context of AML/CFT can also be consulted there.
AMLA’s public consultations of secondary legislation
The development of legal instruments is one of AMLA’s core tasks in promoting convergence and consistency of the EU AML-CFT framework across all EU Member States.
These instruments include Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS), Implementing Technical Standards (ITS), Guidelines (GL) and Recommendations (REC). They specify and clarify legal requirements, support supervisory convergence, and ensure consistent implementation throughout the European Union.
Draft versions of these legal instruments are published by AMLA for public consultation. During these consultations, any interested party may submit substantive comments on the proposed RTS, ITS, GL and REC.
An up-to-date overview of all ongoing AMLA public consultations, as well as the deadlines for submitting comments, can be found on the AMLA’s website via the following pages:
Regulatory Instruments - Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
Public Consultations - Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism