Fastmarkets successfully completes second IOSCO assurance review for its FOEX PIX pulp and paper pricing division

The prices reviewed included those published by Fastmarkets and those administered by Fastmarkets Benchmark Administration Oy (FBA Oy). FBA Oy was incorporated in Finland in December 2020 and received its Benchmarks Regulation (BMR) authorization in February 2021 to administer all benchmarks that are in scope of the BMR.

BDO carried out the independent assurance review of six of the business’ key trademarked PIX indices in pulp and recovered paper. On March 31, 2021, BDO found that Fastmarkets’ responses were in line with the IOSCO principles for PRAs. The review process is comprehensive, examining all relevant processes and documentation to ensure their quality, integrity and adherence to stated methodologies. 

As per guidance by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), this assurance review by an independent external auditor is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the BMR for commodity benchmarks (paragraph 18 of Annex II). Reviews must take place at least annually. 

“Fastmarkets is delighted to announce that the FOEX PIX indices have successfully achieved another assurance review,” Fastmarkets CEO Raju Daswani said. “The incorporation of FBA Oy and the completion of an external audit of our process demonstrates our commitment and compliance with the regulations to provide reliable, impartial, representative and transparent benchmarks for the market we serve to use in physical trading, risk management, analysis and planning purposes.” 

This year’s review covered six benchmarks, two of which were new prices that received the Type 1 IOSCO accreditation. The following indices were included in the scope of the assurance: 

PIX Pulp Indices (Europe)*

  • PIX NBSK
  • PIX BHKP

PIX Recovered Paper Indices (Europe)

  • PIX OCC 1.04 dd
  • PIX ONP/OMG 1.11 dd

PIX Pulp Indices (China)

  • PIX NBSK
  • PIX BHKP

*denotes benchmark subject to BMR

To obtain a copy of the independent assurance report, please click here

Fastmarkets has invested significantly in resources and technology to ensure its price-assessment process aligns with IOSCO principles. View details here

To view Fastmarkets FOEX price methodology/specifications, please click here.

For further inquiries, please contact Katharine Kellar at katharine.kellar@fastmarkets.com.

What to read next
Fastmarkets will not publish any price assessments for US animal fats and oils; animal proteins; biomass-based diesel; hide and leather; grain and feed ingredients; organic/non-GMO; and vegetable oils on Monday January 20 due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in the US and the consequent closure for the day of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Fastmarkets proposes to discontinue its MB-NI-0141 nickel min 99.8% warrant premium, in-whs North Europe, price assessment.
Fastmarkets proposes to launch two price assessments for nickel warrant premiums for the European market.
Fastmarkets proposes to launch monthly price assessments for Polish recycled containerboard, including testliner 2 140 g, testliner 3 140 g and recycled fluting 105 g.
Fastmarkets has corrected its CB-CC-0005 REDD+ Sub-Saharan Africa, $/tCO2e, CB-CC-0006 REDD+ v19 differential, Sub-Saharan Africa $/tCO2e, CB-CC-0007 REDD+ v20 differential, Sub-Saharan Africa $/tCO2e and CB-CC-0011 REDD+ v20 differential Southeast Asia $/tCO2e which were published incorrectly on Wednesday January 8.
Fastmarkets launched AG-WHE-0058 Wheat 10.5% fob US Gulf SRW wheat $/mt on January 6, 2025.