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PROD 7.1 General

Other requirements

PROD 7.1.1 G

1This chapter does not affect the application of other requirements in the FCA Handbook applying to funeral plan providers or firms in relation to funeral plan distributions, including but not limited to:

  1. (1)

    Identification and management of conflicts of interest (SYSC 10.1 (Conflicts of interest));

  2. (2)

    Funeral plan remuneration incentives (SYSC 19F.3 (Funeral plan remuneration incentives));

  3. (3)

    Structure arrangements (FPCOB 3 (Structure provisions- arrangements underpinning a funeral plan contract));

  4. (4)

    Disclosure (FPCOB 6 (Information about the firm and its services) and FPCOB 9 (Product information));

  5. (5)

    Remuneration (FPCOB 6.4 (Charging for funeral plan distribution) and FPCOB 6.5 (Payments to funeral plan intermediaries)).

PROD 7.2 Manufacture of funeral plans

Product governance arrangements: product approval

PROD 7.2.1 R

1A manufacturer must maintain, operate and review a process for the approval of:

  1. (1)

    a funeral plan product; and

  2. (2)

    any significant adaptation of an existing funeral plan product,

in each case before it is marketed or distributed to customers.

PROD 7.2.2 G
  1. (1)

    1PROD 7.2.1R(1) includes any funeral plan product whether a new product manufactured on or after 29 July 2022 or any existing funeral plan product. In relation to an existing funeral plan product, references in PROD 7.2 and 7.3 to ‘marketing’ or ‘distributing’ includes reference to any future activity regardless of whether the product has previously been made available for marketing or distribution.

  2. (2)

    For the purposes of PROD 7.2.1R(2)2:

    1. (a)

      whether a proposed change to the product would be a ‘significant adaptation’ should include consideration of the potential impact that the adaptation may have on an existing or potential customer (when compared to the unadapted version of the product);

    2. (b)

      a ‘significant adaptation’ in relation to a funeral plan product may include, but is not restricted to, a proposed change to the undertaking to provide funeral arrangements, services added or removed, level of monetary benefits (other than adjustments for inflation or other cost variations) costs, and any other significant change to the terms and conditions.

Product governance arrangements: identifying the necessary approval process

PROD 7.2.3 R

1The product approval process in PROD 7.2.1R must be proportionate and appropriate to the nature of the funeral plan product.

PROD 7.2.4 G

1A manufacturer should take into account the following when considering whether the product approval process is proportionate and appropriate:

  1. (1)

    the complexity of the funeral plan product;

  2. (2)

    the degree to which publicly available information can be obtained;

  3. (3)

    the nature of the funeral plan product and the risk of consumer detriment related to it;

  4. (4)

    the characteristics of the target market;

  5. (5)

    the scale and complexity of the relevant business of the manufacturer or distributor;

  6. (6)

    the potential risk, and possible levels, of harm to customers if the product design is flawed, in particular, due to the potential scale of harm if the product is intended for a wide target market;

  7. (7)

    the nature of the cover that the product is intended to provide;

  8. (8)

    whether the distribution arrangements could mean customers are at a greater risk of not receiving fair value from the product;

  9. (9)

    any particularly notable features of, or relating to, existing products (including how it has been distributed); and

  10. (10)

    the nature and complexity of the firm’s existing or intended customer base, for example whether it includes or is likely to include:

    1. (a)

      different types of customers with varying characteristics including in relation to their understanding of financial matters; and

    2. (b)

      a significant number of vulnerable customers.

Product approval process: outcomes, measures and procedures

PROD 7.2.5 R

1A manufacturer must have a product approval process that:

  1. (1)

    ensures the design of a funeral plan product:

    1. (a)

      identifies how funeral arrangements will be provided;

    2. (b)

      delivers fair value;

    3. (c)

      takes into account the intended customers including their objectives, interests, needs and characteristics;

    4. (d)

      does not adversely affect customers; and

    5. (e)

      is driven by features that benefit the customer and not by a business model which relies on poor customer outcomes to be profitable;

  2. (2)

    prevents or mitigates customer detriment; and

  3. (3)

    supports a proper management of conflicts of interest.

PROD 7.2.6 R

1The product approval process must contain appropriate measures and procedures for:

  1. (1)

    the design, distribution, monitoring and review of a funeral plan product;

  2. (2)

    identifying whether the product is, or remains, appropriate to be marketed or distributed to customers; and

  3. (3)

    taking corrective and/or mitigating action for funeral plan products where actual or potential customer detriment is identified.

Product approval process: written policy and record keeping

PROD 7.2.7 R

1A manufacturer must set out the product approval process in a written document (“product oversight and governance policy”), which is made available to the relevant staff.

PROD 7.2.8 R

1A manufacturer must make and retain a record of any relevant actions taken in relation to the product approval process. The record must be made available to the FCA upon request.

Product approval process: governing body responsibility

PROD 7.2.9 R

1A manufacturer’s governing body must:

  1. (1)

    endorse and be responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing the product approval process; and

  2. (2)

    verify internal compliance with that process on an ongoing basis.

Product approval process: staff competence

PROD 7.2.10 R

1A manufacturer must ensure that any of its staff involved in the manufacture of a funeral plan product has the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise to properly carry out this role and, in particular, to understand the funeral plan product and the interests, objectives and characteristics of the customers belonging to the target market. (Also see SYSC 5.1.1R (competent employee rule)).

PROD 7.2.11 R

1Where a manufacturer uses a third party to undertake any part of the manufacture of the funeral plan product on its behalf, the manufacturer remains fully responsible for compliance with the product approval process.

Product approval process: review of process

PROD 7.2.12 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must regularly review its product approval process to ensure that the process is still appropriate and up to date.

  2. (2)

    Where the process is identified to no longer be appropriate, the manufacturer must:

    1. (a)

      amend the product approval process;

    2. (b)

      review any product approved since the approval process was last deemed to be appropriate to:

      1. (i)

        ensure these products were correctly approved for marketing and/or distribution; and

      2. (ii)

        take all necessary steps for the mitigation and remediation of any actual or potential harm to customers.

Product approval process: manufacture by more than one manufacturer

PROD 7.2.13 R

  1. (1)

    1Where two or more firms collaborate to manufacture a funeral plan product, the firms must outline their mutual responsibilities in a signed written agreement.

  2. (2)

    The written agreement in (1) must specify:

    1. (a)

      their respective roles in the product approval process; and

    2. (b)

      how they will collaborate to comply with the requirements in PROD 7.2 (Manufacture of funeral plans), including the procedures through which they will agree on the identification of the target market.

Product approval process: fair value

PROD 7.2.14 R

1A manufacturer must only approve a funeral plan product where it provides fair value to customers in the target market.

PROD 7.2.15 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must:

    1. (a)

      be able to clearly demonstrate how any funeral plan product provides fair value; and

    2. (b)

      make and retain a record of the value assessment required by PROD 7.2.14R.

  2. (2)

    Where a manufacturer is unable to both:

    1. (a)

      identify; and

    2. (b)

      clearly demonstrate,

    that the funeral plan product will provide fair value, the manufacturer must not:

    1. (c)

      market the funeral plan product; or

    2. (d)

      permit the funeral plan product to be distributed (whether directly or through another person),

    unless the manufacturer has ensured appropriate changes have been made so that fair value will be provided.

Product approval process: meaning of value

PROD 7.2.16 R

1In PROD 7 “value” means the relationship between the total price to the customer and the quality of the product(s) and/or services provided. The assessment of value must include consideration of at least the following:

  1. (1)

    the nature of the product, including the benefits that will be provided, their quality, and any limitations (for example, in the scope of the funeral arrangements or other features);

  2. (2)

    the type and quality of services provided to customers;

  3. (3)

    the expected total price to be paid by the customer when buying the funeral plan product, and the elements that make up the total price. This will need to include consideration of at least the following:

    1. (a)

      the overall cost to the manufacturer of the funeral plan product of:

      1. (i)

        operating the product, including the costs of the trust or premiums paid towards an insurance policy to meet the requirements in FPCOB 3 (Structure provisions - arrangements underpinning a funeral plan contract); and

      2. (ii)

        the delivery of funeral benefits under it; and

    2. (b)

      the individual elements of the expected total price to be paid by the customer including, but not limited to:

      1. (i)

        the funeral plan product;

      2. (ii)

        the costs of the distribution arrangements, including the remuneration of any relevant person in the distribution arrangements, and including where a manufacturer delegates the final decision on setting the price to another person; and

  4. (4)

    how the intended distribution arrangements support, and will not adversely affect, the intended value of the product.

PROD 7.2.17 R

1A manufacturer must not rely on individual customers to consider whether they are making fair value purchases in place of any part of the manufacturer’s own assessment.

Product approval process: compliance with fair value requirement

PROD 7.2.18 G

1The following evidential provision provides examples of arrangements that the FCA considers will breach PROD 7.2.14R.

PROD 7.2.19 E
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer should not have a funeral plan product where:

    1. (a)

      the difference between the cost of delivering the funeral plan contract obligations to the manufacturer and the total price paid by the customer bears no reasonable relationship to:

      1. (i)

        the actual costs incurred by the manufacturer or any other person involved in the distribution arrangements;

      2. (ii)

        the quality of any benefits (including of the funeral plan product); or

    2. (b)

      any difference between the cost of the funeral arrangements under the funeral plan product and the cost of the equivalent funeral arrangements purchased without a funeral plan contract does not have an objective and reasonable basis.

  2. (2)

    Contravention of any of (1) may be relied on as tending to establish contravention of PROD 7.2.14R.

Product approval process: information to be used when assessing a product for approval

PROD 7.2.20 R

1When assessing whether a product should be approved for the purposes of PROD 7.2.1R, a manufacturer must use the full range of data and information available to it including, but not limited to:

  1. (1)

    information available to the manufacturer internally including:

    1. (a)

      customer research;

    2. (b)

      the performance of the funeral plan product or other funeral plan products of the manufacturer, including for example:

      1. (i)

        how the estimated costs of funerals compare to actual costs;

      2. (ii)

        number of customers cancelling the funeral plan contracts;

      3. (iii)

        number of missed instalment plan payments by the customer; and

      4. (iv)

        number of funeral plan contracts expected to be claimed but have not been redeemed;

    3. (c)

      complaints data (including root cause analysis and handling times), both expected for the product itself and/or any actual information from a comparable product;

  2. (2)

    public information or information obtainable by the manufacturer from external sources, including analysis of similar funeral plan products available from other firms; and

  3. (3)

    information available to the manufacturer specifically from persons in the distribution arrangements or external funeral provider, including:

    1. (a)

      any remuneration and its impact on the value of the product;

    2. (b)

      levels or quality of service provided by any person in the distribution arrangements;

    3. (c)

      any results of monitoring and oversight of the processes of any persons in the distribution arrangement (for example, call monitoring or file checks), including in relation to other products that person distributes; and

    4. (d)

      the wholesale and retail prices of a funeral not paid for using a funeral plan contract (whether paid for in advance or after the death of a person).

Product approval process: product backing arrangements

PROD 7.2.21 R

1A manufacturer must only approve a funeral plan product where it has established adequate processes and procedures to ensure:

  1. (1)

    any funeral plan contracts entered into using that product will have the necessary and robust trust or insurance arrangements required to comply with FPCOB 3 (Structure provisions – arrangements underpinning a funeral plan contract); and

  2. (2)

    at a product level, there is sufficient oversight and management of those trust or insurance arrangements to mitigate the risk of customer harm.

Product approval process: identifying the target market

PROD 7.2.22 R

1A manufacturer must ensure that for each funeral plan product the product approval process:

  1. (1)

    specifies an identified target market;

  2. (2)

    assesses all relevant risks to the identified target market;

  3. (3)

    identifies that a funeral plan product offers fair value to the specified target market, taking into account in particular their needs, objectives, interests and characteristics;

  4. (4)

    permits only the approval of funeral plan products that are compatible with the needs, characteristics and objectives of the customers belonging to the target market;

  5. (5)

    verifies that the intended distribution strategy is consistent with the identified target market; and

  6. (6)

    requires reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the funeral plan product is distributed to the identified target market.

PROD 7.2.23 R

1A manufacturer must identify the target market at a sufficiently granular level, taking into account the characteristics, risk profile, complexity and nature of the funeral plan product.

PROD 7.2.24 R

1A manufacturer must identify groups of customers for whose needs, characteristics and objectives the funeral plan product is generally not compatible.

PROD 7.2.25 R

1When assessing whether a funeral plan product is compatible with a target market, a manufacturer must take into account:

  1. (1)

    the level of information available to the customers belonging to that target market and their financial literacy; and

  2. (2)

    vulnerable customers.

PROD 7.2.26 G
  1. (1)

    1The identification of the target market should describe a group of customers sharing common characteristics at an abstract and generalised level in order to enable the manufacturer to adapt the features of the product to the needs, characteristics and objectives of that group of customers.

  2. (2)

    The identification of the target market should be distinguished from the individual assessment at the point of sale to determine whether a product meets the demands and needs of the individual customer.

Product approval process: product testing

PROD 7.2.27 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must test a funeral plan product appropriately, including scenario analyses, in a qualitative manner and quantitative manner.

  2. (2)

    The product testing in (1) must assess whether the funeral plan product over its lifetime meets the identified needs, objectives and characteristics of the target market.

  3. (3)

    The requirement in (1) must be carried out:

    1. (a)

      before approving the product for marketing or distribution;

    2. (b)

      when the product is being significantly adapted; and

    3. (c)

      where the target market has significantly changed.

PROD 7.2.28 R

1A manufacturer must not bring a funeral plan product to the market if the results of the product testing show that the product does not provide fair value including where it would not meet the identified needs, objectives and characteristics of the target market.

Distribution channels: selecting channels

PROD 7.2.29 R

1A manufacturer must carefully select distribution arrangements, including specific distribution channels that are appropriate for the target market, taking into account the particular characteristics of the relevant funeral plan product.

PROD 7.2.30 R
  1. (1)

    1When selecting any distribution arrangements, including any particular distribution channel, a manufacturer must be able to demonstrate clearly that these arrangements:

    1. (a)

      result in fair value to the customer;

    2. (b)

      are consistent with the requirements in FPCOB 6.4 (charging for funeral plan distribution); and

    3. (c)

      prevent or mitigate the risk of customer detriment arising from the distribution of the product, for example by verifying that any proposed distributor has the necessary knowledge, expertise and competence; and

    4. (d)

      do not pose a significant risk of a distribution channel failing to meet the requirements in FPCOB.

  2. (2)

    A manufacturer must not use a distribution channel unless it is able to demonstrate the requirements in (1) are met.

PROD 7.2.31 G

1 Manufacturers should only select distributors that have the necessary knowledge, expertise and competence to understand the features of a funeral plan product and the identified target market.

PROD 7.2.32 R

1Whenever making a change to the distribution arrangements, including adding a further distribution channel, a manufacturer must:

  1. (1)

    obtain all necessary information from the distributor or any other person who will be involved with the distribution arrangement, including that set out in PROD 7.2.35R; and

  2. (2)

    identify whether the proposed change to the distribution arrangements is consistent with the fair value requirement in PROD 7.2.14R.

Distribution channels: information disclosure to distributors

PROD 7.2.33 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must make available to a distributor all appropriate information on the:

    1. (a)

      funeral plan product, including to enable the distributor to understand the intended value established by the manufacturer;

    2. (b)

      product approval process;

    3. (c)

      identified target market of the funeral plan product, including any type of customer for whom the funeral plan product is unlikely to provide fair value; and

    4. (d)

      suggested distribution strategy.

  2. (2)

    The information in (1) must:

    1. (a)

      include information on the main features and characteristics of the funeral plan products, their risks and costs, including implicit costs, and any circumstances which might cause a conflict of interest to the detriment of the customer;

    2. (b)

      be clear, complete and up to date.

PROD 7.2.34 R
  1. (1)

    1The information a manufacturer has to make available to any distributor under PROD 7.2.33R(1) must be of an adequate standard to enable distributors to:

    1. (a)

      understand the funeral plan products;

    2. (b)

      comprehend the identified target market for the funeral plan products;

    3. (c)

      identify any customers for whom the funeral plan products are not compatible with their needs, characteristics and objectives; and

    4. (d)

      carry out distribution activities for the relevant funeral plans in accordance with the best interests of their customers as prescribed in FPCOB 2.1.2R.

  2. (2)

    A manufacturer is not required to disclose specific information objectively considered to be commercially sensitive if the information it does make available would still allow distributors to meet PROD 7.2.34R(1) and 2PROD 7.2.35R(1)(a) and (b).

Distribution channels: obtaining information from distributors

PROD 7.2.35 R

1A manufacturer must obtain from any person in the distribution arrangements all necessary and relevant information to enable it to identify the remuneration associated with the distribution arrangements to allow it to assess the ongoing value of the product, including at least:

  1. (1)

    the type and amount of remuneration of each person in the distribution arrangement where this is part of the funeral plan contract price or otherwise paid directly by the customer, including in relation to additional products;

  2. (2)

    an explanation of the services provided by each person in the distribution arrangements; and

  3. (3)

    confirmation from any firm in the distribution arrangements that any remuneration is consistent with their regulatory obligations, including SYSC 19F.3 (Funeral plan remuneration incentives).

PROD 7.2.36 G
  1. (1)

    1Where the manufacturer is considering the effects of the distribution arrangements on value, it should consider whether the additional costs of any individual party in the arrangements that add to the total price paid by the customer deliver any, or a proportional, additional benefit. If not, a manufacturer should consider how it can be satisfied that the arrangements are consistent with its obligations to be able to clearly demonstrate fair value to the customer.

  2. (2)

    A benefit that could be consistent with fair value might include where the party’s inclusion in the distribution arrangements increases access to the product for customers in the target market in a way that is proportionate to the additional cost involved.

Monitoring and review of funeral plan products

PROD 7.2.37 R

1A manufacturer must regularly review the funeral plan products it offers or markets taking into account any event that could materially affect the potential risk to the identified target market, the main features or the guarantees of the funeral plan product. In doing so, the manufacturer must assess at least the following:

  1. (1)

    whether the funeral plan product remains consistent with:

    1. (a)

      the identified target market, including their interests, needs, characteristics and objectives;

    2. (b)

      the fair value assessment required under PROD 7.2.14R; and

  2. (2)

    whether the intended distribution strategy remains appropriate, including whether those products are being distributed to the target market or are reaching customers outside the target market.

PROD 7.2.38 R

1A manufacturer must ensure that the review process:

  1. (1)

    has the necessary measures to be able to identify if the funeral plan product is not providing fair value; and

  2. (2)

    provides that appropriate actions be taken:

    1. (a)

      for the mitigation and any potential remediation of the harm to existing customers; and

    2. (b)

      to prevent harm to new customers.

Monitoring and review of funeral plan products: minimum review period

PROD 7.2.39 R

1A manufacturer must undertake the regular review:

  1. (1)

    every 12 months; or

  2. (2)

    more frequently where the potential risk associated with the funeral plan product makes it appropriate to do so.

PROD 7.2.40 R

1When determining the appropriate interval for review of a funeral plan product, a manufacturer must take into account:

  1. (1)

    the nature of the customer base, including whether there are significant numbers of vulnerable customers;

  2. (2)

    any specific indicators seen in the manufacturer’s assessment of the product’s value to the customer;

  3. (3)

    the nature and type of distribution arrangements being used;

  4. (4)

    any indicators of customer harm potentially emerging from the performance of the product (for example, through redemptions of funeral plan contracts, missed instalment plan payments by the customer, and/or the number of funeral plan contracts expected to be redeemed but have not been redeemed and complaints data); and

  5. (5)

    any relevant external factors, such as changes to the applicable legal rules, technological developments, or changes to the market situation.

Product monitoring and review: monitoring through lifetime of the plan

PROD 7.2.41 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must identify during the lifetime of a funeral plan product any circumstances related to the funeral plan product that may adversely affect a customer of that product.

  2. (2)

    Where a manufacturer identifies an event that may adversely affect a customer of the product, the manufacturer must:

    1. (a)

      take appropriate action to mitigate the situation and prevent further occurrences of the detrimental event; and

    2. (b)

      promptly inform concerned distributors and customers about the remedial action taken.

Product monitoring and review: monitoring distribution arrangements

PROD 7.2.42 R
  1. (1)

    1A manufacturer must take appropriate steps to monitor:

    1. (a)

      that a funeral plan product distributor acts in accordance with the objectives of the manufacturer’s product approval process; and

    2. (b)

      any impact which the distribution arrangements are having on the value including whether the distribution channels remain appropriate.

  2. (2)

    A manufacturer must verify on a regular basis whether the funeral plans products are distributed on the identified target market.

  3. (3)

    The monitoring activities must be reasonable, taking into consideration the characteristics and the legal framework of the respective distribution channels.

PROD 7.2.43 G

1 PROD 7.2 does not require the manufacturer to monitor a distributor’s compliance with general regulatory requirements when carrying out funeral plan distributions for individual customers.

PROD 7.2.44 R

1A manufacturer must:

  1. (1)

    ensure that it has sufficient, good quality management information; and

  2. (2)

    use the full range of data and information available to it (whether it holds this information already, the information is publicly available, or it is able to obtain it from another person),

to enable it to properly understand and monitor the funeral plan product.

PROD 7.2.45 G

1A manufacturer should identify whether there is a risk to its continuing to provide fair value where there is a material change in the relationship between the price to the customer and the actual costs to the manufacturer or another party involved in the ongoing service/distribution of the product.

Product monitoring and review: considering changes to funeral plan products

PROD 7.2.46 R

1For the purposes of showing that the requirement in PROD 7.2.1R is met, where a manufacturer makes a change to a funeral plan product, it must make and retain a record of:

  1. (1)

    the assessment of whether that change would amount to a significant adaptation of the funeral plan product; and

  2. (2)

    where the assessment in (1) is that the change would not be a significant adaptation, the reasons for that decision.

Product monitoring and review: remedial and mitigating action

PROD 7.2.47 R

1 Manufacturers considering that the distribution of their funeral plan products is not in accordance with the objectives of their product approval process must take appropriate remedial action including but not limited to:

  1. (1)

    amending the distribution arrangements, including ceasing to use certain distributors or distribution channels;

  2. (2)

    amending remuneration structures;

  3. (3)

    withdrawing the funeral plan product from continued marketing or distribution; or

  4. (4)

    paying redress as appropriate.

PROD 7.3 Distribution of funeral plans

Distribution arrangements: general requirements

PROD 7.3.1 R

1A distributor must have in place product distribution arrangements containing appropriate measures and procedures to:

  1. (1)

    aim to prevent and mitigate customer detriment;

  2. (2)

    be consistent with the aim of providing fair value to the customer;

  3. (3)

    support a proper management of conflicts of interest; and

  4. (4)

    ensure that the objectives, interests and characteristics of customers are duly taken into account.

Distribution arrangements: obtaining and understanding information

PROD 7.3.2 R
  1. (1)

    1A distributor must ensure the product distribution arrangements contain effective measures and procedures to:

    1. (a)

      obtain from the manufacturer all appropriate information sufficient, adequate and reliable about the funeral plan products they intend to offer to their customers to ensure that they will be distributed in accordance with the characteristics, objectives and needs of the target market; and

    2. (b)

      fully comprehend those funeral plan products, taking into account the level of complexity and the risks related to the products as well as the nature, scale and complexity of the relevant business of the distributor.

  2. (2)

    The information in (1) must be sufficient to understand:

    1. (a)

      the characteristics of each funeral plan product;

    2. (b)

      the outcome of the value assessment required by PROD 7.2.14R, including:

      1. (i)

        the value that the funeral plan product is intended to provide to the customer; and

      2. (ii)

        the impact that the distribution arrangements (including any remuneration it, or another person in the distribution chain to which it belongs, receives) has on the overall value of the funeral plan product to the customer; and

    3. (c)

      the identified target market of each funeral plan product, including any identified group of customers for whom the funeral plan product is not expected to provide fair value.

PROD 7.3.3 R

1For the purposes of PROD 7.3.2R, a distributor must consider at least the following:

  1. (1)

    the benefits the product is intended to provide to the customer;

  2. (2)

    the characteristics, objectives, interests and needs of the target market;

  3. (3)

    the interaction between the price paid by the customer and the extent and quality of any services the distributor (or any person connected to it) provides; and

  4. (4)

    whether any remuneration it receives in relation to the funeral plan product would result in the product ceasing to provide fair value to the customer.

Distribution arrangements: events indicating contravention of fair value

PROD 7.3.4 G

1The following evidential provision provides examples of what the FCA considers will breach PROD 7.3.1R.

PROD 7.3.5 E
  1. (1)

    1A firm’s distribution arrangements, including any distribution strategy it sets up, should not result in:

    1. (a)

      the firm receiving a level of remuneration which does not bear a reasonable relationship to the firm’s actual costs, or their contribution, level of involvement or the benefit added by them, to the arrangements for the distribution of the product, including where the firm provides little or no benefit beyond that which the customer would receive if they obtained the funeral plan product through another distribution channel;

    2. (b)

      the firm having remuneration arrangements which give an incentive to propose or recommend a funeral plan product which either does not meet the customer’s needs (or not as well as another product would) or is not in accordance with the customer’s best interests rule; and

    3. (c)

      the level of any remuneration (for which the firm is responsible for setting) not being reasonably reflective of the costs actually incurred.

  2. (2)

    Contravention of any of (1) may be relied upon as tending to establish contravention of PROD 7.3.1R.

Distribution arrangements: disclosing information to manufacturers

PROD 7.3.6 R

1A distributor must, upon request, provide manufacturers with:

  1. (1)

    information on the distributor’s remuneration in connection with the distribution of the funeral plan product;

  2. (2)

    information on any additional product or service that the distributor provides to the customer, which may affect the manufacturer’s intended value of the product;

  3. (3)

    relevant sales information, including, where appropriate, information on the regular reviews of the product distribution arrangements; and

  4. (4)

    confirmation that the distribution arrangements are consistent with the obligations of the firm under the FCA Handbook, including in particular in SYSC 10.1 (Conflicts of interest) and SYSC 19F.3 (Funeral plan remuneration incentives).

Distribution arrangements: record keeping

PROD 7.3.7 R

1A distributor must set out the product distribution arrangements in a written document and make it available to their relevant staff.

PROD 7.3.8 R

1A distributor must ensure that all relevant actions taken by it or any other party in relation to their product distribution arrangements are:

  1. (1)

    duly documented;

  2. (2)

    kept for audit purposes; and

  3. (3)

    made available to the FCA upon request.

Distribution arrangements: senior management responsibility

PROD 7.3.9 R

1A distributor’s governing body must:

  1. (1)

    endorse and be ultimately responsible for establishing, implementing and reviewing the product distribution arrangements; and

  2. (2)

    verify internal compliance with those arrangements on an ongoing basis.

Distribution arrangements: consistency with target market

PROD 7.3.10 R

1A distributor must ensure that any specific distribution strategy that it sets up or applies is consistent with:

  1. (1)

    the distribution arrangements set up by the manufacturer; and

  2. (2)

    the target market identified in PROD 7.2 (Manufacture of funeral plans), including any customers to whom the product should not be distributed.

Distribution arrangements: review of distribution arrangements

PROD 7.3.11 R
  1. (1)

    1A distributor must regularly review, at least every 12 months, its product distribution arrangements to ensure that those arrangements are still valid and up to date.

  2. (2)

    When determining the appropriate intervals for the regular review of their product distribution arrangements, a distributor must take into account the size, scale and complexity of the funeral plan product involved.

PROD 7.3.12 R

1When reviewing the product distribution arrangements, a distributor must verify that the funeral plan products are distributed to the identified target market.

Distribution arrangements: amending distribution arrangements after review

PROD 7.3.13 R

1A distributor must amend the product distribution arrangements, where appropriate, in view of the outcome of the review of the product distribution arrangements.

PROD 7.3.14 R

1When a distributor becomes aware:

  1. (1)

    that a funeral plan product is not in line with the interests, objectives and characteristics of its identified target market; or

  2. (2)

    of other product-related circumstances that may adversely affect the customer,

it must promptly:

  1. (3)

    inform the manufacturer; and

  2. (4)

    where appropriate, amend the distribution arrangements for that funeral plan product.

PROD 7.3.15 R
  1. (1)

    1A distributor must take appropriate remedial and mitigating action, including to amend its product distribution arrangements, where it identifies:

    1. (a)

      a product is not providing fair value for customers;

    2. (b)

      any aspects of a product that may mean it does not offer fair value; or

    3. (c)

      the distribution arrangements, including remuneration structures, may mean the customer is not being provided with fair value.

  2. (2)

    The actions which the distributor takes for (1) must:

    1. (a)

      aim to mitigate the situation and prevent further occurrences of any possible harm to customers, including, where appropriate, amending the distribution strategy for that product; and

    2. (b)

      include informing any relevant manufacturers promptly about any concerns they have and any action the distributor is taking.

PROD 7.3.16 G

1For the purposes of PROD 7.3.15R, the steps a distributor may need to take include (but are not limited to):

  1. (1)

    amending its remuneration structures;

  2. (2)

    amending the distribution arrangements;

  3. (3)

    improving the quality of, or ceasing, any service or benefits it provides;

  4. (4)

    where the failure to provide fair value is due to the costs or quality of additional products, renegotiating the terms of the current arrangements relating to the additional products, or selecting alternative providers or distributors of them, in order to provide for a fair outcome;

  5. (5)

    ceasing to distribute certain products, or ceasing to use certain distribution channels;

  6. (6)

    contacting existing customers to inform them of the issues and of the measures being taken to rectify them; and

  7. (7)

    providing redress to customers.

PROD 7.4 Product governance requirements for subsisting funeral plans

Product governance arrangements

PROD 7.4.1 R

1This section applies to a funeral plan provider in relation to a subsisting funeral plan.

PROD 7.4.2 R

1A funeral plan provider must ensure that, in relation to its subsisting funeral plans, there are adequate product governance arrangements in place, containing appropriate measures and procedures, to ensure a subsisting funeral plan is carried out in way that complies with the firm’s regulatory obligations under the FCA Handbook.

Monitoring and review of funeral plan products

PROD 7.4.3 R

1A firm must:

  1. (1)

    regularly review its subsisting funeral plans, taking into account any event that could cause material harm to the customers; and

  2. (2)

    ensure the review process in (1), provides that appropriate actions be taken for the mitigation and any potential remediation of the harm to existing customers.

Monitoring and review of funeral plan products: minimum review period

PROD 7.4.4 R
  1. (1)

    1A firm must undertake the regular review at least every 12 months.

  2. (2)

    When determining the appropriate interval for review of a funeral plan product, a firm must take into account:

    1. (a)

      the nature of the customer base, including whether there are significant numbers of vulnerable customers;

    2. (b)

      any indicators of customer harm potentially emerging from the performance of the product; and

    3. (c)

      any relevant external factors such as changes to the applicable legal rules, technological developments, or changes to the market situation.

Product monitoring and review: remedial and mitigating action

PROD 7.4.5 R
  1. (1)

    A firm must identify during the lifetime of a subsisting funeral plan any circumstances related to it that may adversely affect a customer.

  2. (2)

    Where a firm identifies an event that may adversely affect a customer holding the funeral plan contract, the firm must:

    1. (a)

      take appropriate action to mitigate the situation and prevent further occurrences of the detrimental event; and

    2. (b)

      promptly inform concerned customers about the remedial action taken.