Chapter I General Principles |
| Article 1 | (Legislative Intent)
This Act is enacted for the purpose of promoting the national economic development and the protection of investors. |
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| Article 2 | (Applicable Scope)
The regulation and supervision of public offering, issuing, and trading of securities shall be governed by this Act; such matters not provided for in this Act shall be governed by the provision of the Company Act and other relevant acts. |
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| Article 3 | (Competent Authority)
The term "Competent Authority" as used in this Act means the Financial Supervisory Commission. |
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| Article 4 | (Definition of Company)
The term "company" as used in this Act means a company limited by shares organized under the Company Act.
The term “foreign company” as used in this Act means a company, for the purpose of profit making, organized and incorporated in accordance with the laws of a foreign country. |
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| Article 5 | (Definition of Issuer)
The term "issuer" as used in this Act means either a company which publicly offers and issues securities, or promoters who publicly offer securities. |
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| Article 6 | (Definition of Securities)
The term "securities" as used in this Act shall mean government bonds, corporate stocks, corporate bonds, and other securities approved by the Competent Authority.
Any stock warrant certificate, certificate of entitlement to new shares, and certificate of payment or document of title to any of the securities referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be deemed as securities.
Any securities referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, even without the physical certificate representing title being printed, shall still be deemed as securities. |
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| Article 7 | (Definitions of Public Offering, Private Placement)
The term "public offer" as used in this Act means the act of offering securities to the general public by the promoters prior to the incorporation of the company, or by the issuing company prior to the issuance of said securities.
The term "private placement" as used in this Act means the act of offering securities to specific persons pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 43-6 by a public company. |
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| Article 8 | (Definition of Issuance)
The term "issuance" as used in this Act means the act of producing and physical delivery or book-entry transfer of securities by an issuer following its public offer.
Securities delivered by book-entry transfer referred to in the preceding paragraph may be issued without printing physical securities. |
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| Article 9 | (Deleted) |
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| Article 10 | (Definition of Underwriting)
The term "underwriting" as used in this Act means the act of underwriting securities issued by an issuer on a firm commitment or a best efforts basis in accordance with the agreement between the parties. |
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| Article 11 | (Definition of Stock Exchange)
The term "stock exchange" as used in this Act means a juristic person which in accordance with the provisions of this Act establishes premises and facilities for the purpose of providing a centralized securities exchange market. |
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| Article 12 | (Definition of Centralized Securities Exchange Market)
The term "centralized securities exchange market" as used in this Act means a marketplace maintained by a stock exchange for the purchase and sale of securities through a competitive bidding process. |
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| Article 13 | (Definition of Prospectus)
The term "prospectus" as used in this Act means an explanatory written statement that an issuer provides to the general public in compliance with this Act for the purpose of offering or selling securities. |
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| Article 14 | (Definition of Financial Reports and Regulations Governing Their Preparation)
The term "financial reports" as used in this Act means the financial reports prepared by issuers, securities firms, and stock exchanges that are to be filed periodically with the Competent Authority in compliance with Acts and regulations.
Regulations governing the preparation of financial reports with respect to the content, scope, procedures, preparation, and other matters to be complied with for the financial reports referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority, and Chapters IV, VI, and VII of the Business Entity Accounting Act shall not apply to those financial reports.
The financial reports referred to in paragraph 1 shall be signed or stamped with the seal of the chairperson, managerial officer, and accounting officer, who shall also produce a declaration that the report contains no misrepresentations or nondisclosures.
The accounting officer referred to in the preceding paragraph shall possess certain qualifications and shall receive continuing professional education while holding the position. Regulations governing the qualifications of an accounting officer, the minimum hours of continuing education required, and the qualifications required of the institution offering the continuing education curriculum shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.
When a company whose stock is listed for trading on the stock exchange or over-the-counter securities exchange prepares its annual financial report in accordance with paragraph 2, it shall additionally disclose relevant information, including the company's remuneration policy, the average salary of all the company's employees and any adjustments thereto, and the remuneration of the directors and supervisors, in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the competent authority.
A company referred to in the preceding paragraph shall specify in its articles of incorporation that a certain percentage of its annual earnings shall be allocated for salary adjustments or compensation distributions for its non-executive employees. However, the company's accumulated losses shall have been covered.
The amount of salary adjustments or compensation distributions under the preceding paragraph is deductible from the amount of its profit-seeking enterprise income for the current fiscal year. |
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| Article 14-1 | (Establishment of Internal Control Systems)
Public companies, securities exchanges, securities firms, and enterprises set forth in Article 18 shall establish financial and operational internal control systems.
The Competent Authority may prescribe rules governing internal control systems of companies or enterprises under the preceding paragraph.
A company or enterprise under paragraph 1 shall file an Internal Control System Statement with the Competent Authority within three months of the close of each fiscal year, unless approval otherwise has been granted by the Competent Authority. |
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| Article 14-2 | (Appointment and Qualifications of Independent Directors)
A company that has issued stock in accordance with this Act may appoint independent directors in accordance with its articles of incorporation. The Competent Authority, however, shall as necessary in view of the company's scale, shareholder structure, type of operations, and other essential factors, require it to appoint independent directors, not less than two in number and not less than one-fifth of the total number of directors.
Independent directors shall possess professional knowledge and there shall be restrictions on their shareholdings and the positions they may concurrently hold. They shall maintain independence within the scope of their directorial duties, and may not have any direct or indirect interest in the company. Regulations governing the professional qualifications, restrictions on shareholdings and concurrent positions held, assessment of independence, method of nomination, and other matters for compliance with respect to independent directors shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.
The company may not impede, refuse, or evade the actions of the independent directors in the performance of their duties. As the independent directors deem necessary to the performance of their duties, they may request the board of directors to appoint relevant personnel, or may at their own discretion hire professionals to provide assistance. The related expenses will be borne by the company.
Given any of the following circumstances, a person may not act as an independent director, or if already acting in such capacity, shall be dismissed:
1. Any circumstance set out in a subparagraph of Article 30 of the Company Act.
2. The director is a government agency, juristic person, or representative thereof, and was elected in accordance with Article 27 of the Company Act.
3. The person fails to meet the qualifications for independent director set forth in paragraph 2.
Transfer of an independent director's shareholdings is not subject to the provisions of the latter part of paragraph 1 or of paragraph 3, Article 197, of the Company Act.
When an independent director is dismissed for any reason, resulting in a number of directors lower than that required under paragraph 1 or the company's articles of incorporation, a by-election for independent director shall be held at the next following shareholders meeting. When all independent directors have been dismissed, the company shall convene a special shareholders meeting to hold a by-election within 60 days from the date on which the situation arose. |
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| Article 14-3 | (Matters Required to Be Submitted for Approval by Resolution of the Board of Directors)
When a company has selected independent directors as set forth in paragraph 1 of the preceding article, then the following matters shall be submitted to the board of directors for approval by resolution unless approval has been obtained from the Competent Authority; when an independent director has a dissenting opinion or qualified opinion, it shall be noted in the minutes of the directors meeting:
1. Adoption or amendment of an internal control system pursuant to Article 14-1.
2. Adoption or amendment, pursuant to Article 36-1, of handling procedures for financial or operational actions of material significance, such as acquisition or disposal of assets, derivatives trading, extension of monetary loans to others, or endorsements or guarantees for others.
3. A matter bearing on the personal interest of a director or supervisor.
4. A material asset or derivatives transaction.
5. A material monetary loan, endorsement, or provision of guarantee.
6. The offering, issuance, or private placement of any equity-type securities.
7. The hiring or dismissal of an attesting CPA, or the compensation given thereto.
8. The appointment or discharge of a financial, accounting, or internal auditing officer.
9. Any other material matter so required by the Competent Authority. |
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| Article 14-4 | (Appointment of Audit Committee or Supervisors)
A company that has issued stock in accordance with this Act shall establish either an audit committee or a supervisor. However, a company that falls within the conditions set by the Competent Authority based on company scale, type of operations, or other essential considerations shall establish an audit committee in lieu of a supervisor.
The audit committee shall be composed of the entire number of independent directors. It shall not be fewer than three persons in number, one of whom shall be convener, and at least one of whom shall have accounting or financial expertise.
For a company that has established an audit committee, the provisions regarding supervisors in this Act, the Company Act, and other laws and regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis to the audit committee.
The following provisions of the Company Act shall apply mutatis mutandis with regard to independent directors who are members of the audit committee: Article 200; Article 216, paragraphs 1, 3, and 4; Article 218, paragraphs 1 and 2; Article 218-1; Article 218-2, paragraph 2; Articles 224 - 226; and Article 245, paragraph 2. The provisions of Article 214, Article 215, and the proviso of Article 227 of the Company Act shall apply mutatis mutandis with regard to litigation brought against independent directors.
Regulations governing the exercise by the audit committee and its independent director members of the powers set out in the preceding two paragraphs, and the operation procedures, matters to be recorded in the meeting minutes, and other matters related thereto, shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.
A resolution of the audit committee shall have the concurrence of one-half or more of all members. |
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| Article 14-5 | (Company Matters Requiring Consent of the Audit Committee)
For a company that has issued stock in accordance with this Act and established an audit committee, the provisions of Article 14-3 shall not apply to the following matters, which shall be subject to the consent of one-half or more of all audit committee members and be submitted to the board of directors for a resolution:
1. Adoption or amendment of an internal control system pursuant to Article 14-1.
2. Assessment of the effectiveness of the internal control system.
3. Adoption or amendment, pursuant to Article 36-1, of handling procedures for financial or operational actions of material significance, such as acquisition or disposal of assets, derivatives trading, extension of monetary loans to others, or endorsements or guarantees for others.
4. A matter bearing on the personal interest of a director.
5. A material asset or derivatives transaction.
6. A material monetary loan, endorsement, or provision of guarantee.
7. The offering, issuance, or private placement of any equity-type securities.
8. The hiring or dismissal of an attesting CPA, or the compensation given thereto.
9. The appointment or discharge of a financial, accounting, or internal auditing officer.
10. Annual financial reports and second quarter financial reports that must be audited and attested by a CPA, which are signed or sealed by the chairperson, managerial officer, and accounting officer.
11. Any other material matter so required by the company or the Competent Authority.
With the exception of subparagraph 10, any matter under a subparagraph of the preceding paragraph that has not been approved with the consent of one-half or more of all audit committee members may be undertaken upon the consent of two-thirds or more of all directors, without regard to the restrictions of the preceding paragraph, and the resolution of the audit committee shall be recorded in the minutes of the directors meeting.
If for good cause it is impossible to hold a meeting of the audit committee, the matters in the subparagraphs of paragraph 1 shall be adopted with the consent of two-thirds or more of all directors. However, the matters in paragraph 1, subparagraph 10 shall still require the opinion of the independent directors indicating their consent.
A company that has established an audit committee is not subject to the provisions of Article 36-1 requiring that its financial reports be recognized by a supervisor.
"All audit committee members" and "all directors" as used in paragraph 1 to paragraph 3 and the preceding article shall mean the actual number of persons currently holding those positions. |
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| Article 14-6 | (Appointment of a Remuneration Committee)
A company whose stock is listed on the stock exchange or traded over-the-counter shall establish a remuneration committee. Regulations governing the professional qualifications for its members, the exercise of their powers of office, and related matters shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.
Remuneration referred to in the preceding paragraph shall include salary, stock options, and any other substantive incentive measures for directors, supervisors, and managerial officers. |
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| Article 15 | (Types of Securities Business)
The securities businesses that may be operated in accordance with this Act are:
1. securities underwriting and other relevant businesses approved by the Competent Authority.
2. Securities dealing and other relevant businesses approved by the Competent Authority.
3. Securities commission agency, brokerage, agency, and other relevant businesses approved by the Competent Authority. |
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| Article 16 | (Types of Securities Firms)
Anyone which operates any of the securities businesses specified in the preceding Article shall be a securities firm; securities firms may be categorized into:
1. a "securities underwriter" operates the business specified in subparagraph 1 of the preceding Article.
2. a "securities dealer" operates the business specified in subparagraph 2 of the preceding Article.
3. a "securities broker" operates the business specified in subparagraph 3 of the preceding Article. |
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| Article 17 | (Deleted) |
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| Article 18 | (Approval for Operation)
Approval from the Competent Authority is required for the operation of any securities finance enterprise, securities central depository enterprise, or any other securities-related service enterprise.
Regulations governing the conditions for establishment, application and approval procedures, finances, operations, management, and other matters for compliance with respect to the securities enterprises referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority. |
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| Article 18-1 | (Provisions Applied Mutatis Mutandis)
The provisions of Article 38, Article 39, and Article 66 of this Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to enterprises referred to in the preceding Article.
The provisions of Article 53, Article 54, and Article 56 of this Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to employees of enterprises referred to in the preceding Article. |
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| Article 18-2 | (Deleted) |
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| Article 18-3 | (Deleted) |
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| Article 19 | (Method for Entering Into Contracts)
All contracts entered into pursuant to this Act shall be in writing. |
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| Article 20 | (Duty of Good Faith and Liability for Damages (1))
During the public offering, issuing, private placement, or trading of securities, there shall be no misrepresentations, frauds, or any other acts which are sufficient to mislead other persons.
The financial reports or any other relevant financial or business documents filed or publicly disclosed by an issuer in accordance with this Act shall contain no misrepresentations or nondisclosures.
Anyone who violates the provisions of paragraph 1 shall be held liable for damages sustained by bona fide purchasers or sellers of the said securities.
The principal who commissions a securities broker to purchase or sell securities as a commission agent shall be deemed as a "purchaser" or "seller" for the purpose of the preceding paragraph. |
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| Article 20-1 | (Duty of Good Faith and Liability for Damages (2))
When the essential content of the financial reports or relevant financial or business documents referred to in paragraph 2 of the preceding article, or financial reports filed or publicly disclosed pursuant to Article 36, paragraph 1 contain misrepresentations or nondisclosures, the persons under the following subparagraphs shall bear liability for damages suffered by the bona fide purchasers, sellers, or holders of securities issued by the issuer:
1. The issuer and its responsible persons.
2. Employees of the issuer who placed their signatures or seals on the financial report or the financial or business document in question.
With the exception of the issuer, a person under any paragraph of the preceding subparagraph shall not be liable for damages when he or she can demonstrate that they exercised all due diligence and had legitimate cause to believe that the reports or documents contained no misrepresentations or nondisclosures.
A CPA who performs attestation of the financial reports or financial and business documents referred to in paragraph 1 shall be liable for the occurrence of any damages as set forth in paragraph 1 that arise out of misconduct, violation or negligence in connection with the performance of his or her duties as CPA.
In respect of the liability of a CPA under the preceding paragraph, a good-faith buyer, seller, or holder of securities may petition a court to requisition the CPA's working papers, and further, to review or make copies of the same. The CPA and the accounting firm may not refuse such action.
With the exception of the issuer, when the negligence of a person under any subparagraph of paragraph 1 or under paragraph 3 results in the occurrence of the damages set forth in paragraph 1, each such person shall bear liability for damages in proportion to their degree of responsibility.
The provisions of paragraph 4 of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to paragraph 1. |
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| Article 21 | (Time Limitations on Claims for Damages)
The rights to claim damages prescribed in this Act shall be extinguished if not exercised within two years from the time the claimant learns of the cause which entitles him the right to claim the said damages, or within five years since the date of the offering, the issuance, or the trading. |
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| Article 21-1 | (Signing of Treaties or Agreements for International Cooperation )
In order to further international cooperation between the competent securities authorities of the ROC government and foreign countries, the ROC government and agencies (or institutions) authorized by it may, based on the principle of reciprocity, enter into a cooperative treaty or agreement with a foreign government or agency (institution), or with an international organization, to facilitate matters such as information exchange, technical cooperation, and investigation assistance.
Unless such action otherwise conflicts with the interests of the state or the rights or interests of the investing public, the Competent Authority may, in accordance with the treaty or agreement made pursuant to the preceding paragraph, require related authorities or related agencies (institutions), juristic persons, associations, or natural persons to provide necessary information in accordance with the treaty or agreement, and based on the principles of reciprocity and confidentiality, provide such information to the foreign government, agency (institution), or international organization which has executed the given treaty or agreement.
In order to further international cooperation in securities markets, in cases in which a foreign government has undertaken investigation, prosecution, or judicial procedure in connection with any suspected violation of foreign financial regulatory legislation, when the foreign government requests assistance with investigation in accordance with the treaty or agreement made pursuant to paragraph 1, the Competent Authority may require agencies (institutions), juristic persons, associations, or natural persons related to the securities trading to present relevant account books or documents or to appear at its offices to give explanations. When necessary, the Competent Authority may request the foreign government to send representatives to participate in its investigations.
A party who is required to appear at the offices of the Competent Authority to provide explanations under the preceding paragraph may select and retain, to appear with the party, a lawyer, certified public accountant, other agent, or other assisting personnel that the Competent Authority has given permission to accompany the party.
An agency (institution), juristic person, body, or natural person referred to in paragraph 2 and paragraph 3 may not evade, impede, or refuse any requirement by the Competent Authority to provide relevant account books or documents or to appear at its offices to give explanations. |
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