Standards September programme update

Standards projects

Adviser Business Information

RAG | Green

Research project to understand the challenges faced by varied sizes / types of adviser firms in obtaining the information needed from platforms & product providers to support their business.

Progress

• The initial research phase has been completed, including interviews with adviser firms, providers, platforms and software suppliers.
• The Problem Definition Report was published, and the findings were validated with the Research Group.
• The findings and proposed discovery phase were presented to the PSG on 19 August.
• The PSG approved progression to a focused discovery phase and broader industry engagement.

Next steps and how you can help

• Progress the focused discovery phase to validate priority adviser business information use cases.
• Map the end-to-end value chain and clarify responsibilities across participants.
• Engage further with software suppliers, back-office providers, consolidators and acquirers.
• Assess data availability, aggregation challenges and potential standards, governance and delivery options.
• Develop detailed recommendations for future industry activity.
• Providers and platforms are invited to introduce relevant participants and support access to suitable sample report information examples.

Annuity Application

RAG | Green

Develop a new Annuity Application Standard that enables advisers, whether using a portal or adviser software to seamlessly supplement an existing guaranteed quote reference with the additional non quote data required to complete an annuity application. This standard aims to streamline data capture and reduce re-keying.

Progress

• Development of the Annuity Application Standard has been completed.
• The Working Group reviewed Draft B on 4 August and confirmed that no further updates were required.
• Draft B, the Message Implementation Guide and supporting sample documents have been updated and published.
• The Standard is ready for industry adoption.

Next steps and how you can help

• Continue engagement with providers, platforms and software suppliers on adoption and implementation plans.
• Provide implementation support, guidance and knowledge sharing where required.
• Ask PSG and Working Group members to share their implementation intentions with Criterion.
• Monitor implementation feedback and consider finalisation in line with the agreed standards process.

Document Access

RAG | Green

Develop a Document Access Standard that enables advisers, via their practice management software, to securely and digitally retrieve client documents from a provider or platform document store, supporting more efficient and integrated adviser workflows.

Progress

• Draft A Document Access Standard remains published and available for review.
• Positive industry feedback received on the standard.
• There has been no further development activity on the Standard in recent months.

Next steps and how you can help

• Proposed approach is to finalise Document Access alongside PAO to support aligned implementation activity and common API components.
• Continue engagement with industry on potential implementation plans.

Platform Account Opening

RAG | Green

Develop a Platform Account Opening (PAO) Standard focused on consistent, high‑quality data capture. This new standard aims to replace the current FIT-based approach, reducing inconsistencies and improving integration across the industry.

Progress

• Adoption and implementation activity is progressing.
• Criterion continued to support Aberdeen with its implementation of the Platform Account Opening Standard.
• Feedback from implementation activity is informing a small number of proposed enhancements.
• Draft C is in preparation.

Next steps and how you can help

• Complete Draft C and share it with the Working Group for review.
• Consolidate Working Group and implementation feedback.
• Continue to support adoption activity across interested organisations.
• Confirm the finalisation approach following review of implementation feedback.

Rejections

RAG | Green

The Rejections Proof of Concept is assessing whether the sharing of reference format and legal-entity data can help reduce transfer and LoA rejections, improving operational efficiency and customer outcomes.

Progress

• Rejections Proof of Concept launched with participating firms.
• Working Group established and initial scope agreed.
• Data requirements issued to support analysis of reference format and legal-entity related rejections.
• Participating firms are reviewing historic data availability and confirming next steps.

Next steps and how you can help

• Finalise the data collection approach.
• Confirm participating firms and agreed checkpoints.
• Commence analysis activity.
• Review findings and agree recommendations for future activity.

Change Requests (CRs) and BAU Activity

Progress

• Following completion of the Annuity Application development phase, focus has moved to the Quotes Annuity change programme.
• Potential change requests have been reviewed, with a subset identified for further analysis and potential development.
• The scope of a proposed v3.12 minor release is being finalised ahead of technical drafting.
• Key areas under consideration include GMP-related fields, Lifetime Allowance requirements and findings from the Retirement Health Form gap analysis.

Next Steps

• Finalise the proposed scope of the minor release.
• Complete further analysis and technical drafting for the changes selected to progress.
• Circulate the proposed changes for wider review and confirm that backward compatibility is maintained.
• Continuing to progress on Quotes Annuity CR activity. 

Common Declarations

Progress

• The 2026 annual change request window opened in July.
• Change requests continued to be monitored during August.

Next Steps

• Review any submissions received and determine whether the annual change meeting is required to discuss the submissions.

Legal Framework

Progress

• A small set of proposed amendments has been identified for Legal Framework Version 5.
• The proposed amendments are intended to ensure that the framework remains current and fit for purpose.
• Potential updates include legislative references and current UK data protection and GDPR wording.
• Invited industry to nominate participants for the Legal Framework Development Group, with a focus on securing appropriate industry legal representation.

Next Steps

• Confirm members of the Legal Framework Development Group.
• Arrange Development Group meeting.
• Review and agree the proposed scope before drafting and consultation progress.