Precious metals depositories used in connection with futures contracts

Section 5b(c)(2) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 7a–1(c)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E)(vii), by inserting, including risks related to the geographic concentration of depositories for the storage of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium (referred to in this paragraph as precious metals), after clause (vi); (2) in subparagraph (F)— (A) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and (B) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: (iii) Approval of precious metals depositories (I) In general A derivatives clearing organization that clears agreements, contracts, transactions, or swaps that can result in the physical delivery of precious metals and is a designated financial market utility (as defined in section 803 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (12 U.S.C. 5462)) (referred to in this paragraph as a systemically important derivatives clearing organization) shall— (aa) develop, publish, and employ objective and transparent criteria in evaluating and selecting depositories for the storage of precious metals used in connection with a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery; and (bb) provide a formal process for those depositories to apply for that selection. (II) Selection factors In selecting depositories under subclause (I), a systemically important derivatives clearing organization shall— (aa) assess and account for, among other factors, geographic diversity, competition, risk management, storage costs to members and participants, and systemic risk implications; and (bb) approve new depositories in the context of a public interest in increased geographic diversity, increased liquidity, market resiliency, market access, competition, and cost efficiency, consistent with appropriate security and quality standards. (III) Geographical requirement (aa) In general A systemically important derivatives clearing organization shall select at least 2 depositories described in subclause (I) in each time zone described in item (bb). (bb) Time zone A time zone referred to in item (aa) is each of the following: (AA) Eastern time. (BB) Central time. (CC) Mountain time. (DD) Pacific time.; (3) in subparagraph (I)— (A) in clause (ii)(II), by striking and at the end; (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (iv) periodically assess the ease of access for market participants with respect to the physical settlement of any commodity, regardless of the geographic location within the United States, to ensure system availability and resiliency.; (4) in subparagraph (L)(iii)— (A) in subclause (IV), by striking and at the end; (B) by redesignating subclause (V) as subclause (VI); and (C) by inserting after subclause (IV) the following: (V) in the case of a systemically important derivatives clearing organization, conditions for applying to, and receiving approval from, the systemically important derivatives clearing organization as a metal service provider, such as a depository for the storage of precious metals; and; and (5) in subparagraph (N)(i), by inserting, including with respect to the approval of a metal service provider, such as a depository for the storage of precious metals after trade.