All news

23-12-01 Press release

Revised Corporate Governance Code comes into force on 1 January 2024

Today, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board presents a revised version of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. The revised Code is applicable from 1 January 2024.

23-10-10 Press release

Proposed changes to the Code submitted for open referral

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has presented proposed amendments to the Swedish Corporate Governance Code for open referral until 10 November 2023. Among the proposed changes is a new rule requiring listed companies to hold in-person shareholders’ meetings.

23-07-07

Annual Report 2023

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has published its Annual Report for 2023.

23-06-26

Save the date: The Swedish Corporate Governance Board’s annual corporate governance seminar on 24 October 2023

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board will host its annual corporate governance seminar on 24th October 2023 at 13.30–17.00 CET. The seminar will be held in Stockholm with possibility to participate online.

23-06-15 Press release

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2023-06-10

The Board has presented updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as of 10 June 2023. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies continues to increase.

23-06-12 Press release

Carl-Henric Svanberg new Chair of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board and Tomas Flodén appointed as new member

The Association for Generally Accepted Principles in the Securities Market has appointed Carl-Henric Svanberg as Chair of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board and Tomas Flodén as a new member.

23-05-11

Comments on Ministry of Justice memorandum about digital annual general meetings

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board ("the Board") was invited to submit comments on the memorandum entitled Digital Corporate and Association Annual General Meetings (Ju2023/00484). The Board believes that companies whose shares are admitted to trading on a regulated market should continue to be required to hold in-person shareholders’ meetings, regardless of whether digital participation is possible or not.

23-04-17

Comments on proposals regarding owner, owner-management and management suitability assessment

The Board has submitted comments on the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority's (Finansinspektionens) proposals regarding owner, owner-management and management suitability assessment. It is the Swedish Corporate Governance Board's opinion that the issue of denial of discharge from liability must be examined and described in further detail in order to be included as a basis for any suitability assessment.

23-02-17

Open letter about gender balance on the boards

Open letter from the Swedish Corporate Governance Board to shareholders, nomination committees and employee organisations at Swedish listed companies about gender balance on the boards.

22-12-01

Comments on draft guidelines on the standardised presentation of the remuneration report

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board together with the Swedish Stock Market Self-Regulation Committee has submitted comments on Commission’s Draft guidelines on the standardised presentation of the remuneration report under the Shareholders' Rights Directive (EU) 2017/828.

22-11-28

Comments on ISS’ proposed Benchmark Policy changes for 2023

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board submits comments on ISS’ proposed Benchmark Policy changes for 2023. The Board delivers some hard critic.

22-10-21

Comments on on the Review of the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board together with the Swedish Stock Market Self-Regulation Committee submits different comments on the OECD Public Consultation on the Review of the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance.

22-10-14

Recording from the Board’s corporate governance seminar

Recording from the Board’s corporate governance seminar on October 11th 2022 is available here. Among other things, a well-known panel discussed what should guide the regulation of corporate governance.

22-09-12

Joint response on EU proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has, in a joint response from a number of Nordic self-regulatory bodies and business associations, submitted comments on the EU Commission’s proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.

22-06-23

Annual report 2022

In the Annual Report 2022, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2021–2022, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2021 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

22-06-21

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2022-06-10

The Board has presented updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as of 10 June 2022. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies continues to increase. Please see attached press release and detailed statistics (in Swedish only).

22-05-24

Feedback on EU proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board submits feedback on the European Commission’s proposal for a directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.

22-02-25 Press release

The Code – extension of the special application of rules due to covid-19

On 31 March 2020, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board communicated that rules 1.1–1.3 of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code did not need to be applied in the prevailing circumstances and therefore no deviation from the Code will be deemed to have taken place if these rules are not applied. This application of the Code was later extended throughout 2021. The Board has now decided that this application of the Code is to be extended and apply also throughout 2022.

22-02-23

Joint response on EU consultation on corporate reporting

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has, in a joint response together with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, the Association for Generally Accepted Principles in the Securities Market, FAR and the Council for Swedish Financial Reporting Supervision, submitted its comments to the European Commission’s public consultation on corporate reporting.

21-10-14

Open letter to the nomination committees of Swedish listed companies

A reminder about gender balance on the boards of listed companies ahead of the 2022 AGM season. The Corporate Governance Board strongly urge the nomination committees of all Swedish listed companies to continue to focus on this very important issue.

21-07-05

Joint response on EU initiative on sustainable corporate governance

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has, in a joint response from a number of Nordic self-regulatory bodies, business associations and companies, submitted comments to the EU Commission’s initiative on Sustainable corporate governance.

21-06-24

Annual report 2021

In the Annual Report 2021, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2020–2021, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2020 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

21-06-17 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2021-06-10

The Board has presented updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as of 10 June 2021. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies continues to increase marginally. Please see attached press release and detailed statistics.

21-06-04

Recording from the Board’s corporate governance seminar 2021

If you missed the Board's Corporate Governance Seminar 2021, which took place on Tuesday 18 May and was held in English, you can always watch it afterwards. Among other things, two renowned panels discussed how different cultures and systems of corporate governance affect board work and what can/should the EU do in the area of corporate governance.

21-05-17

White Paper: Challenges to Swedish corporate governance due to EU-level regulation

In connection with the Swedish Corporate Governance Board’s upcoming corporate governance seminar, the Board has today published a white paper describing some of the challenges posed by EU corporate governance regulation to the Swedish corporate governance system. The paper also discusses how the regulatory process might be adjusted to take better account of the underlying differences among the governance frameworks of the Member States.

21-02-09

Comments on EU consultation on sustainable corporate governance

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted comments to the European Commission’s public consultation on Sustainable corporate governance.

20-12-18 Pressrelease

The Code – extension of the special application of rules due to covid-19

As communicated by the Swedish Corporate Governance Board on March 31, 2020, rules 1.1-1.3 of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code do not need to be applied in the prevailing circumstances and therefore no deviation from the Code will be deemed to have taken place if these rules are not applied. The Board has decided that this application of the Code is to be extended and apply throughout 2021.

20-12-01 Pressrelease

Rules on Remuneration of the Board and Executive Management and on Incentive Programmes

On 1 December 2020 The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has published its Rules on Remuneration of the Board and Executive Management and on Incentive Programmes (“the Remuneration Rules”). The Remuneration Rules replace the previous self-regulation rules on remuneration to senior executives and on share and share price-related incentive programmes. The rules also contain certain provisions that supplement the rules in the Swedish Companies Act on remuneration guidelines and remuneration reports.

20-12-01 Pressrelease

Revised Takeover Code – Proposal

On December 1 2020 the Swedish Corporate Governance Board announced proposed revisions to the Takeover Code. The revised rules are expected to come into effect on January 1 2021.

20-10-08

Joint response on EU initiative on sustainable corporate governance

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has, in a joint response from a number of German, Danish and Swedish business associations and Swedish self-regulatory bodies and institutional investors, submitted its comments to the initiative on Sustainable corporate governance that the European Commission has initiated based on the EY study on directors’ duties.

20-07-15 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2020-06-30

The Board has presented updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as of 30 June 2020. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies has increased marginally compared to last year.

20-06-20

Annual report 2020

In the Annual Report 2020, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2019–2020, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2019 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

20-04-27 Pressrelease

The Board does not plan to increase the group of executives to be included in remuneration reports

In the Swedish Corporate Governance Code, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board has broadened the group of executives to which the requirement to draw up remuneration guidelines under the
Swedish Companies Act applies. This means that the remuneration guidelines to be approved by the shareholders’ meeting are also to apply to other members of the executive management than the CEO
and the deputy CEO. The Board does not intend to similarly increase the number of executives that are to be included in listed companies' remuneration reports.

20-03-31 Pressrelease

The Code – special application of rules as a result of covid-19

In the prevailing circumstances, rules 1.1-1.3 of the Code do not need to be applied and therefore no deviation from the Code will be deemed to have taken place if theserules are not applied. This application of the Code rules is applicable throughout 2020.

19-12-06

Comments on EU study on directors’ duties and sustainable corporate governance

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted its comments to the European Commission regarding the study on directors’ duties and sustainable corporate governance that the Commission is carrying out together with EY. The survey should be withdrawn and should not form the basis for any action by the European Commission.

19-11-29 Pressrelease

A revised Corporate Governance Code 2020-01-01

The Swedish Corporate Governance Code has presented a revised version of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. The revised Code is applicable from January 1, 2020.

19-11-15

Common Statement by the Six Chairs Group 2019

The Six Chairs Group of the governing bodies of the Corporate Governance Codes (hereinafter also the “Codes”) in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK met in November in Rome for their 4th annual meeting. The Six Chairs decided to further explore this concept with regard to the emerging environmental, social and governance (hereinafter also “ESG”) topics.

19-10-22 Pressrelease

Proposed Code changes submitted for open referral

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has presented proposed amendments to the Swedish Corporate Governance Code for open referral until 6 November 2019. The proposed changes include rules for remuneration guidelines and remuneration reports in the light of the updated Shareholder Rights Directive.

19-06-22

Annual report 2019

In the Annual Report 2019, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2018–2019, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2018 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

19-06-20 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2019-06-10

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to prepare updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at June 10, 2019. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies has increased marginally compared to last year.

19-06-05 Pressrelease

Amendments to the Code and a new recommendation on remuneration – timetable

In September 2019, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board (“the Board”) will present proposals for amendments to the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance (“the Code”). In October 2019, the Board will present a new recommendation on remuneration, with a view, following a consultation process, to issuing new rules to come into effect from January 1, 2020.

19-02-15

Comments on EU discussion paper regarding guidelines on the presentation of the remuneration report 2019

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted its comments to the European Commission on the Commission’s discussion paper regarding guidelines on the presentation of the remuneration report pursuant to the Shareholders’ Rights Directive.

18-08-31

Comments on proposals for implementation of the directive on increased shareholder engagement

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted comments on the proposals for implementation into Swedish law of the directive on increased shareholder engagement (Ds 2018:15).

18-06-20

Annual report 2018

In the Annual Report 2018, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2017–2018, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2017 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

18-06-15 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2018-06-10

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to prepare updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at 10 June 2018. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies continues to increase but at a slower pace.

18-02-23 Pressrelease

Proposal for revised Takeover Rules 2018

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has announced proposed revisions to the Takeover rules.

17-10-16

Comments on Swedish proposal on accounting oversight

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted comments on the memorandum from Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority) entitled "En ny ordning för redovisningstillsyn" (New Procedures for Accounting Oversight). The Board supports the proposal (FI Dnr 17-6486).

17-09-18 Pressrelease

Proposal for revised Takeover Rules 2017

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has announced proposed revisions to the Takeover rules. The revised rules are expected to come into effect on November 1, 2017.

17-06-21

Annual report 2017

In the Annual Report 2017, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2016–2017, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2016 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

17-06-14 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2017-06-10

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to prepare updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at June 10, 2017. The review shows that the proportion of women on boards of listed companies continues to increase.

17-03-21 Pressrelease

New member of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board

Ingrid Bonde has been appointed as a member of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board. Ingrid Bonde succeeds Ulla Litzén, who has declined re-election.

17-02-23

Comments on EU draft guidelines for reporting non-financial information

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted its comments to the Swedish Ministry of Justice and to the European Commission on the Commission’s draft non-binding guidelines on methodology for reporting non-financial information.

17-02-13 Pressrelease

Swedish Corporate Governance Board starts review of Takeover rules

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board, in consultation with Nasdaq Stockholm, has decided to initiate a full review of the rules which regulate takeover bids on the Swedish stock market.

16-11-28

A revised Code enters into force 2016-12-01

In 2013 the Corporate Governance Board began a comprehensive revision of the code which resulted in the revised Swedish Corporate Governance Code that came into force on November 1, 2015. However, the work on revising the Code has continued in 2016.

16-11-25

Comments on Ds 2016:32 and SOU 2016:34

The Board has submitted its comments to the Swedish Ministry of Justice on the memorandum entitled Gender Balance on Company Boards (Ds 2016:32) and on the Government report on auditor liability (SOU 2016:34).

16-10-01 Pressrelease

The Code – Instruction 3-2016 on the companies’ sustainability reporting and diversity policy

The EU directive regarding disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups and the Swedish legislative changes made on the basis thereof causes some minor changes to the Code.

16-06-29 Pressrelease

The Code – Instruction 2-2016 on the rules concerning the information kept on companies' websites

The European Union's Market Abuse Regulation and the changes to the Reporting Obligations for Certain Holdings of Financial Instruments Act and relevant stock exchange regulations as a result of this EU regulation, which come into force on 3 July 2016, causes some minor changes to the Code with regard to the information to be kept available on the company website.

16-06-21

Response to EU public consultation on non-financial reporting guidelines

The Board has submitted its response to the EU Commission’s public consultation on non-financial reporting guidelines. Please note that some questions deliberately have been left unanswered on the grounds that those have been deemed to be outside the Board’s activity alternatively could not be satisfactorily answered within the limited space provided.

16-06-20

Annual report 2016

In the Annual Report 2016, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2015–2016, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2015 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

16-06-15 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Distribution on Boards 2016-06-10

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to present statistics regarding gender distribution in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at June 10, 2016. The proportion of women on boards of listed companies' continues to increase after this year's AGMs.

16-06-01 Pressrelease

The Code – Instruction 1-2016 on the rules concerning nomination committees and audit committees

The EU Audit Package, which comprises a regulation on auditors and audits (Auditor Regulation) and a directive amending the 2006 Auditor Directive, which comes into force and is to be implemented in Swedish law on 17 June 2016, mean certain minor amendments to the Code rules concerning the work of nomination committees and audit committees are required.

16-05-17

Comments on proposed changes to the accounting directive on country-by-country tax reporting

The Board has submitted its comments to the Swedish Department of Justice on the EU Commission on the proposed changes to the accounting directive regarding country-by-country tax reporting. The Board does not endorse the proposal.

16-04-16

Views on the EU web survey on the future of EU company law

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board, ("the Board") submitted its views to the Swedish Ministry of Justice on the European Commission's initiative to commence a general discussion on the future of European Union company law. The Commission's questions have been collected in an on-line survey.

16-04-11

Four new members of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board

Göran Espelund, Marianne Nilsson, Lena Olving and Olle Nordström have been appointed as new members of the Board.

16-01-02

Statistics Gender Balance on Boards 2015-12-31

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to prepare updated statistics regarding gender balance in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at December 31, 2015.

15-10-01 Pressrelease

A revised Corporate Covernance Code enters into force 2015-11-01

Following broad consultation with its users, a number of minor revisions have been made to the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. Proposals from a number of foreign institutional investors regarding compulsory individual ballots and vote counts at the election of directors have not led to any changes in the Code.

15-10-01

Position paper individual board election and vote count

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has received a letter from a number of international institutional investors regarding the introduction of a rule in the Swedish Corporate Governance Code concerning elections to company boards. Similar claims were also submitted by Norges Bank Investment Management ("NBIM").

15-09-23

Comments on SOU 2015:19, SOU 2015:49 and Ds 2015:25

The Board has submitted its comments on the Government reports on new procedures for accounting oversight (SOU 2015:19), new rules for auditors and audits (SOU 2015:49) and on effective protection of minorities (Ds 2015:25).

15-06-19

Annual report 2015

In the Annual Report 2015, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2014–2015, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2014 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

15-06-16 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Distribution on Boards 2015-06-15

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to present statistics regarding gender distribution in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at June 15, 2015. The proportion of women on boards of listed companies' continues to increase after this year's AGMs.

15-06-05 Pressrelease

Proposed revisions to the Code submitted for open consultation

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board presents an open invitation to submit views on the enclosed prposed revised Code, available in a clean and a mark-up version, until 1 September 2015.

15-03-31

Comments on report on reporting on sustainability and diversity policy

The Board has submitted its comments on the Government report on companies’ reporting on sustainability and diversity policy (Ds 2014:45).

15-02-03 Pressrelease

Statistics Gender Distribution on Boards 2015-01-02

The Board has instructed SIS Ägarservice to present statistics regarding gender distribution in Swedish listed companies' Boards as at January 2, 2015. On 2 January 2015, the proportion of elected members in all Swedish listed company boards who were women was 25.6 per cent. The EU does not count the more than 60 small and medium-sized companies and CEOs elected by shareholders’ meetings, but it does include employee representatives. According to this method of calculation, women's share of board positions is 28.7 per cent.

14-12-12 Pressrelease

Proposal for revised Takeover Rules 2015

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has announced proposed revisions to the takeover rules. One of the aims of the proposal is to create greater equality between offerors and target companies.

14-11-21 Pressrelease

Recommendation on Private Placements

The Board has today issued a Recommendation concering Private Placements in Swedish companies that have their shares admitted to trading on a regulated market or traded on any of the First North, Nordic MTF or AktieTorget trading platforms. The recommendation shall be applied from 1 January 2015.

14-10-28 Pressrelease

The Code – Instruction 1-2014 on new rules to promote increased gender equality among listed companies' boards

The Board published 30 May 2014 a number of initiatives to promote increased gender equality among listed companies' Board of Directors, including a number of changes to the Code. It was stated that these changes were to be implemented simultaneously with other changes to the Code that the Board had been working on, however, not later than on 1 January 2015.

14-06-20

Annual report 2014

In the Annual Report 2014, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2013–2014, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2013 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

14-05-31 Pressrelease

Updated Takeover rules for merger processes

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board today announces its proposed update of the Takeover rules with new rules concerning mergers and merger-like processes. The rules mean that the shareholders' meeting of a listed company to be taken over through a merger or a merger-like process is to approve the takeover by no less than a two-thirds majority, exclusive of the purchasing company's votes.

14-05-30 Pressrelease

Measures to improve gender balance on boards

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board presents tighter regulation in the Swedish Corporate Governance Code, with the aim of improving the gender balance on the boards of listed companies.

14-05-28

Comments on the Memorandum on Sanctions in CRD4

The Corporate Governance Board has submitted its comments to the Department of Finance on the Memorandum on Sanctions in CRD4. The Board supports the proposals contained in the memorandum.

14-04-24

Comments on EU prosposals for a Recommendation on Corporate Governance and changes to the Shareholders Rights Directive

The Board has submitted its comments to the Swedish Department of Justice on the EU Commission's Recommendation on Corporate Governance and proposed changes to the Shareholders Rights Directive.

13-12-20 Pressrelease

Minority protection in relation to mergers

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board wishes to improve the protection of minority shareholders during mergers and merger-like processes by updating the rules for takeovers.

13-11-12 Pressrelease

Extended referral period for the Code

The Board has extended the period for submitting views on the current Code up until 15 December 2013, and the date for the Board's High Level Symposium has been moved to 10 February 2014.

13-10-21 Pressrelease

Better information and views on the Code

All listed companies have received letters from the Swedish Corporate Governance Board on how they apply the Swedish Corporate Governance Code. The background to this is the Board’s survey in spring 2013, which revealed that the level and quality of corporate governance information has declined. After round table discussions with around 40 Code users, the Board believes that the Code works well in general. The Board calls for further comments on the Code in anticipation of an upcoming review.

13-09-06

Views on SFSA's proposed rules on risk management and internal control

The Board has submitted its views on the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority's proposed rules on risk management and intern control.

13-06-22

Annual report 2013

In the Annual Report 2013, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2012–2013, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2012 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

13-05-15

Views on Prospectus liability, Non-financial reporting and Increased share capital

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has submitted its comments on Ministry of Finance Memorandum on prospectus liability (Ds 2013:16), the EU Commission’s proposed Directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information and Ministry of Justice' Memorandum on increased share capital for listed companies (Ds 2012:37).

12-12-04

Views on proposed directive on gender quotation in company boards

The Board has submitted its views to the Swedish government on the EC Commission's proposal for a directive on gender quotation. The Board shares the view of the Commission taht there is a need to improve the gender balance among society’s decision makers, including the corporate sector, but regards the introduction of quota rules for the boards of listed companies as the wrong way to go. Such a measure may instead lead to a number of negative consequences for listed companies, and, by extension, for society as a whole.

12-06-23

Annual report 2012

In the Annual Report 2012, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2011–2012, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2011 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

12-05-28

Answers questionnaire on Gender imbalance in corporate boards in the EU

The Board shares the opinion of the European Commission that gender balance should be improved in society, including the business sector. However, the Board believes it is of utmost importance that candidates to the board of a listed company are evaluated as individuals with their unique professional background, experience and competence and not as representatives for a gender, or, for example, an age or ethnical group.

12-05-14

Comments on memorandum about audit rules for financial companies

In view of the fact that new rules for financial companies can be anticipated in the areas covered by the memorandum (Ds 2012:4), the Swedish Corporate Governance Board opposes the proposed rule changes.

12-04-20 Pressrelease

Revised Takeover Rules on certain trading platforms from 2012-07-01

On 20 February 2012, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board announced its proposals for revised takeover rules on regulated markets. The Board has now, as envisaged, also finalised a revised version of the rules regarding takeovers on the multi trading facilities NASDAQ OMX First North, Nordic MTF and AktieTorget. These rules are by and large identical to the Takeover rules for regulated markets. The revised Takeover rules for certain trading platforms come into force on 1 July 2012.

12-03-09

Comments on memorandum about prospectuses

The Board has submitted its views on the memorandum Ds 2012:1 Prospectuses to the Swedish Department of Finance. The Board has limited its views to questions regarding prospectus language and the length of the withdrawal period in connection with the publication of a prospectus supplement.

12-02-20 Pressrelease

The Board's proposal for revised Takeover Rules 2012

The Board has on 13 February 2012 submitted its proposal for revised Takeover Rules to the stock exchanges NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and NGM Equity for further deliberation. The revised rules are anticipated to come into force on 1 July 2012, together with re vised Takeover Rules for the MTFs First North, Nordic MTF and AktieTorget.

12-01-20

Comments to the Swedish Justice Department on the Audit regulations

The Board has submitted its views on the EU Commission's proposals in relation the Audit Directive and Regulation to the Swedish Department of Justice.

11-12-16

The Board's views on MiFID II

The Board has on submitted its views on the corporate governance sections of the proposal for revised regulations for financial
instruments, MiFID II, to the Swedish Department of Finance.

11-11-25

Comments on Empty Voting to ESMA 2011

ESMA, the European Securities and Markets Authority, has requested information regarding Empty Voting, i.e. voting by shareholders where the ownership interest of the shares belongs to someone else.

11-11-15

Views on proposed changes to the so called Leo rules

The Board was invited by the Ministry of Justice to comment on its memorandum on changes to the legislation concerning private placements of shares, Ds 2011:21, which contains proposals on changes to the "Leo rules" in Chapter 16 of the Companies Act, (2005:551).

11-08-17

Views on CRD IV

The Board submitted its views on the proposed corporate governance rules contained in the draft directive and regulation for the implementation of CRD IV to the Swedish Ministry of Finance. The Ministry has listed three questions regarding corporate governance that it considers to be of particular interest.

11-07-19

Views on the EU Green Paper on Corporate Governance in listed companies

The Board has submitted its views on the EU Green Paper on Corporate Governance in listed companies to the EU Commission. The Board does not support any rule making at EU level based on the Green Paper. No
evidence has been given in the Green Paper regarding the need for further EU regulation. The Board believes that regulatory action at EU level based on the Green Paper may unnecessarily risk damaging listed European companies and the European economy.

11-06-21

Annual report 2011

In the Annual Report 2011, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2010–2011, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2010 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

11-06-15 Pressrelease

New Board members 2011

Carl Bennet and Lars Pettersson have been appointed to the Board. Bennet and Pettersson replace Lars Otterbeck and Michael Treschow, both of whom have been members of the Board since it was formed in 2005.

11-05-26 Pressrelease

The Board initiates review of the Takeover Rules under 2011

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has decided to undertake a minor review of the Takeover rules, including rules for agreements between bidders and target companies.

11-05-18 Pressrelease

Björn Kristiansson replaces Per Lekvall as Executive Board Member

Björn Kristiansson, partner at Hannes Snellman Attorneys Ltd, succeeds Per Lekvall as Secretary and Executive Director of the Swedish Corporate Governance Board. Lekvall will continue as a member of the Board.

11-03-14 Pressrelease

Code Barometer 2010

Both the general public and the capital market actors have increasing confidence in Swedish corporate governance. This is one of the findings of the 2010 Code Barometer, presented by the Swedish Corporate Governance Board.

11-01-31 Pressrelease

Position paper warns against over-regulation of corporate governance in listed companies by the EU

The EU is currently working on a Green Paper on corporate governance of stock exchange listed companies. Judging by preliminary discussions on the subject, the Commission is planning comprehensive and in some areas far-reaching new regulation. The system of corporate governance codes based on the principle of comply or explain has also been called into question, with demands for mandatory regulation and tougher sanctions.

10-11-29

Three new instructions regarding the Swedish Corporate Governance Code

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board has decided to introduce requirements on code application for foreign companies listed in Sweden. As of the beginning of next year, these companies will need to either apply the Swedish Corporate Governance Code or their home country code.

10-09-20

The Board publishes study on Swedish nomination committees

On behalf of the Board, Nordic Investor Services has conducted a thorough study of how Swedish nomination committees works and conduct their duties. The purpose is to add a more factual basis to the Swedish and international debate in this area, compared to the current situation.

10-06-20

Annual Report 2010

In the Corporate Governance Board's Annual Report for 2009 a description of the work with the revised Code, applicable from this year, including i.a. new rules on remuneration, and an evaluation of how the companies have applied the previous Code, is included. In addition, the Stockholm stock exchange describes how it supervises that the Code is applied by the listed companies.

10-05-19

The Board assumes the NBK tasks and includes new members

At the annual meeting on 18 May 2010 of the Association for Generally Accepted Principles in the Securities Market, the parent association of the Corporate Governance Board, it was decided that the tasks of the Swedish Industry and Commerce Stock Exchange Committee (NBK) was to be transferred to the Corporate Governance Board and to terminate NBK.

10-03-25

British study endorses Swedish-style nomination committees

At a conference in London in March 2010, organised by the International Corporate Governance Network, the British think tank Tomorrow's Company presented a study of Swedish nomination committees and their relevance and applicability in the British corporate governance system.

10-01-03

Revised Code comes into force 2010

The Swedish Code of Corporate Governance has been revised as of 1 February 2010, with some changes taking effect at a later point in time due to transitional rules.

09-10-27 Pressrelease

New Code Rules on Executive Pay 2009

The Swedish Corporate Governance Board is to introduce more comprehensive rules in the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance on the subject of remuneration of executives in Swedish listed companies. At the same time, the Code will be adjusted to accommodate new legislation and stock exchange regulations. A proposal of a new set of Code rules is being circulated for consultation today.

09-09-30

8th European Corporate Governance Conference

In conjunction with the Swedish EU Presidency, the Swedish Corporate Governance Board organised, in co-operation with the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI), this international conference under the overall theme Beyond the Crisis – New Challenges for Corporate Governance.

09-06-23

Annual Report 2009

In the Annual Report 2009, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2008–2009, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2009 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

09-06-01

Report on Nordic Corporate Governance

In June 2007 a joint working group for the code monitoring bodies in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden was set upt o analyse similarities and differences between the countries' corporate governance systems and to evaluate the potential for increased coordination of self-regulation.

09-04-14

Reply to the Ministry of Justice regarding director remuneration

The Board has issued a formal response to the Ministry of Justice’s invitation for comments on a forthcoming recommendation on director remuneration from the European Commission.

08-06-20

Annual Report 2008

In the Annual Report 2008, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2007–2008, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2007 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

07-12-18

Reply to the Ministry of Justice regarding audit committees 2008

The Board has issued a formal response to the Ministry of Justice's proposed legislation on audit committees based on the 2008 Accounting Directive.

07-09-23

The revised Swedish Code of Corporate Governance 2008

The revised version of the Swedish Code of Corporate Governance comes into force for all Swedish companies listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm or NGM Equity, a total of approximately 300 companies.

07-06-21

Annual Report 2007

In the Annual Report 2007, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2006–2007, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2006 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.

06-06-22

Annual Report 2006

In the Annual Report 2006, the Board reports on its activities during the corporate governance year 2005–2006, discusses current issues regarding the Code and Swedish corporate governance, the Code's application in 2005 and perspectives on current corporate governance issues in Sweden and internationally.