The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004/1610)) has now been made available on the HMSO website. The order came into force on 15 July and amends the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (SI 2001/544) and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2003 (SI 2003/1476).

This order inserts a new article (Article 97) into the Regulated Activites Order. Article 97 disapplies section 49(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) in relation to activities involving regulated mortgage contracts and insurance mediation activity. Section 49(2) of FSMA requires the FSA to consult other EEA competent authorities before giving or varying a permission to carry on a regulated activity to a person who is "connected" with an EEA firm.