SEC pushes tougher governance training rules
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking public comments on a proposed memorandum circular that would tighten rules on corporate governance training for publicly listed companies, public firms and registered issuers, while imposing stricter accreditation standards on training providers and resource speakers.
In a notice dated May 7, the corporate regulator said the exposure draft covered new guidelines on the conduct of corporate governance training and the accreditation of institutional training providers, resource speakers and in-house training programs.
Stakeholders have until May 22 to submit comments through a Google Form.
The SEC said the revised draft incorporated feedback gathered during the first public exposure conducted in February 2026.
Under the proposal, all board members and key officers of covered entities would be required to attend at least one corporate governance training every calendar year. The training must match their role, experience and governance needs.
The draft circular also outlined mandatory onboarding topics for first-time directors and key officers.
The SEC is also proposing tighter oversight of institutional training providers, which would need to secure accreditation from the regulator before conducting governance-related seminars.
Meanwhile, resource speakers would need to meet minimum qualifications, including relevant expertise and attendance in at least one SEC-led roundtable discussion or corporate governance forum annually.
The exposure draft also introduced stricter reportorial requirements.
