Professional Documents
Culture Documents
RIN: 3235-AG88
extent they conflict with the plain English rule. We are also
securities laws.
February 1997, we may change the date by which mutual funds must
421,1 4612 and 4813 of Regulation C4 and Items 101,5 501,6 502,7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Executive Summary
1. Summary Information
2. Risk Factors
A. Liability Concerns
I. Executive Summary
First, the new rules require issuers to write and design the
new rules will not require issuers to limit the length of the
factors.
design of the front and back cover pages, the summary, and the
* Active voice;
whenever possible;
* No multiple negatives.
the prospectus.
risk factors section to make them easy to read. You must format
out four general writing techniques that you must follow and list
lists;
and
terminology.
comply with the rule's general requirements. The note lists the
understand;
the information.
But, you should avoid using excessive technical jargon that only
every effort to explain their meaning the first time you use
them.
provisions.
The staff will object to design features and font types that make
except:
Using all capitalized letters for the legends does not give them
designed cover page that does not crowd the legends with other
approved the offering.28 The item also gives you a plain English
======END OF PAGE 11======
example of the legend that states the prospectus is not yet
have the cover page focus on key information about the offering.
unnecessarily.
The cover page must reference the risk factors section and state
with one significant exception. Under our advice, the cover page
cover page. Of course, the cover page, summary, and risk factors
section must otherwise comply with the plain English rule and the
adopting.31
This placement will benefit investors because they will not have
organized.
prospectus.
1. Summary Information
caption it a "summary."
2. Risk Factors
you must write the risk factors in plain English and avoid
purely generic terms does not tell investors how the risk may
financial data.
481 require these companies to write and design the front parts
the compliance date for mutual funds so they may comply with
them to make the document more readable. For example, you should
English rule. Until October 1, 1998, the staff will continue the
liability?
filings?
concerns.
the mutual fund industry stated they believe plain English will
prospectus.40
document.
stated that the staff's past comments have caused many immaterial
becomes clearer and easier to read when its writer uses plain
English.
accounting review, the same people who review your document will
duplicate of the paper copy sent to investors but this may not
The rule also requires the staff to consider whether you have
staff to consider also whether you have made a bona fide effort
======END OF PAGE 23======
to satisfy the plain English rule in drafting the front part of
other requirements. You will have the same opportunity you have
rule will:
plain English.44
The table below shows the current and estimated burden hours
per filing, the estimated change in burden hours per filing, and
Estimat Change in
ed Estimat Estimated
Burden ed Burden
Hours/ Burden Change Hours by
Filing Hours/ in Filing
Before Filing Estimat Type
Plain After ed After
Form English Plain Burden Filings Plain
Rule English Hours/ / English
Rule Filing Year52 Rule
S-1 1,267 1,358 91 1,067 97,097
S-2 470 504 34 145 4,930
S-3 398 427 29 3,137 90,973
S-4 1,233 1,322 89 2,044 181,91
6
F-1/S- 1,868 2,002 134 162 21,708
20
F-2 559 599 40 3 120
F-3 166 178 12 220 2,640
F-4 1,308 1,402 94 243 22,842
S-11 147 158 11 68 748
SB-1 710 761 51 8 408
SB-2 876 939 63 434 27,342
Total 7,531 450,72
4
plain English.
The twelve members who had prepared at least one plain English
pages, the decline would save 6 pages. And the length of an S-4
and perhaps even lower, overall cost. Some even predicted they
101, 501, 502, 503, and 508 of Regulations S-K and S-B to
4, S-20, F-2, F-3, and F-4 under the Securities Act and Form N-2
======END OF PAGE 29======
under the Investment Company Act.
10, and 19(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 12, 13, 15(d),
16(a), and 23(a) of the Exchange Act, and Sections 8, 24, 30, 31,
Requirements
tends to reduce document length. Some firms may also save time
phase-in costs will be low and that documents will be shorter and
plain English documents and will hold workshops to help small and
belief that the plain English rule and amendments would not
Rules 421, 461, and 481 of Regulation C and Items 101, 501, 502,
503, and 508 of Regulations S-K and S-B. The Commission is also
adopting minor amendments to Forms S-2, S-3, S-4, S-20, F-2, F-3,
and F-4 under the Securities Act and Form N-2 under the
reduce document length. Some firms may also save time answering
agency;
collected; and
of information technology.
and 19(a) of the Securities Act, Sections 12, 13, 15(d), 16(a)
and 23(a) of the Exchange Act, and Sections 8, 24, 30, 31 and 38
List of Subjects in 17 CFR Parts 228, 229, 230, 239, and 274
Investment companies.
as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77e, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77k, 77s, 77z-
77sss, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78u-5, 78w, 78ll, 80a-8, 80a-29, 80a-
read as follows:
* * * * *
======END OF PAGE 39======
(c) Reports to security holders. Disclose the following in
1933:
statements;
the reports and other information you file with the SEC; and
(3) That the public may read and copy any materials you
file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. State that the public may
(g)).
this chapter.
arrangement;
that effect;
securities;
Highlight this
offense. You may use one of the following or other clear, plain
language:
securities offered;
(iv) If you offer the securities for cash, the price to the
Show the information on both a per share or unit basis and for
format that fits the design of the cover page so long as the
completed;
(b) [Reserved]
228.502 (Item 502) Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
Prospectus.
this chapter.
of this Regulation S-B (17 CFR 228.503). You must include the
this chapter. You may use the following or other clear, plain
language:
this chapter.
English.
======END OF PAGE 45======
Instruction to paragraph 503(a)
The summary should not merely repeat the text of the prospectus
offering that are the most significant and determine how best to
offices.
following:
securities.
paragraph (a), add two sentences to the end of paragraph (a) and
arrangement.
* * * * *
bought, the prices at which they were bought, and the period
prospectus:
as follows:
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77e, 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77k, 77s, 77z-
77nnn, 77sss, 78c, 78i, 78j, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78u-5, 78w,
* * * * *
* * * * *
the reports and other information you file with the SEC.
(2) That the public may read and copy any materials you
file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. State that the public may
Securities Act:
reports that you give will contain financial information that has
person;
laws; and
foreign private issuer or any person based upon the U.S. federal
securities laws.
* * * * *
======END OF PAGE 51======
9. By revising 229.501 to read as follows:
of the prospectus.
business in which you are not engaged or you are engaged only to
name. You will not be required to change your name if you are an
and the investing public is generally aware of the change and the
clear from the title of the security. For example, you are not
information on both a per share or unit basis and for the total
format that fits the design of the cover page so long as the
related to the market price, indicate the market and market price
in another manner;
appropriate;
underwriting arrangements;
not made any of these arrangements, state this fact and describe
completed;
state where offers or sales are not permitted. The legend may be
229.502 (Item 502) Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
Prospectus.
of this Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.503). You must include the
24(d) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-24). You may
of the offering that are the most significant and determine how
executive offices.
Explain how the risk affects the issuer or the securities being
periods;
securities.
Present the ratio for each of the last five fiscal years and the
presented in the document. If you will use the proceeds from the
consolidated subsidiaries.
(B) Pro forma ratio. You may show the pro forma ratio only
for the most recent fiscal year and the latest interim period.
different.
to read as follows:
table.
the narrative.
* * * * *
bought, the prices at which they were bought and the period
to read as follows:
78c, 78d, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o, 78w, 78ll(d), 79t, 80a-8, 80a-24,
* * * * *
* * * * *
Note to 230.421(b):
provision(s); and
document that increases the size of the document but does not
* * * * *
and design of the front and back cover pages, the summary, and
terms; and
graphs and charts to scale. Any information you provide must not
be misleading.
Instruction to 230.421
follows.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) Where there has not been a bona fide effort to make the
* * * * *
statements filed under the Act for a company that has elected to
64):
electronically.
the front cover page of the prospectus if the underwriter has any
the period within which they were bought. In the event that
======END OF PAGE 71======
230.430A of this chapter is used, the prospectus filed under
reoffering:
paper size, type size and font, bold-face type, italics and red
information.
in part as follows:
78c, 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78u-5, 78w(a), 78ll(d), 79e, 79f,
79g, 79j, 79l, 79m, 79n, 79q, 79t, 80a-8, 80a-29, 80a-30 and 80a-
======END OF PAGE 73======
37, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *
[Note: The text of Form S-2 does not, and this amendment
FORM S-2
* * * * *
* * * * *
(d)(1) You must state (i) that you will provide to each
oral request;
in that information.
(2) You must (i) identify the reports and other information
(ii) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
[Note: The text of Form S-3 does not, and this amendment
FORM S-3
* * * * *
* * * * *
======END OF PAGE 75======
(c)(1) You must state (i) that you will provide to each
oral request;
in that information.
(2) You must (i) identify the reports and other information
(ii) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
[Note: The text of Form S-20 does not, and this amendment
[Note: The text of Form S-4 does not, and this amendment
FORM S-4
* * * * *
than five business days before the date they must make their
Note to Item 2.
in that information.
* * * * *
* * * * *
(c) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
* * * * *
(d) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
[Note: The text of Form F-2 does not, and this amendment
FORM F-2
======END OF PAGE 79======
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
* * * * *
(a) You must state (1) that you will provide to each
oral request;
requester; and
in that information.
(b) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
======END OF PAGE 80======
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. State that the
* * * * *
as follows:
[Note: The text of Form F-3 does not, and this amendment
FORM F-3
* * * * *
* * * * *
(d) You must state (1) that you will provide to each
requester; and
in that information.
(e) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
Item 2 and add paragraph (b) to Item 11 and paragraph (c) to Item
======END OF PAGE 82======
13 to read as follows:
[Note: The text of Form F-4 does not, and this amendment
FORM F-4
* * * * *
than five business days before the date they must make their
in that information.
* * * * *
* * * * *
(b) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
(c) You must (1) identify the reports and other information
(2) state that the public may read and copy any materials
you file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450
* * * * *
as follows:
======END OF PAGE 85======
Authority: 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s, 78c(b), 78l,
noted.
[Note: The text of Form N-2 does not, and this amendment
FORM N-2
* * * * *
the Nasdaq Stock Market lists the securities offered, naming the
cover page.
Rule 481 under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230, 481(d)] on the
* * * * *
======END OF PAGE 86======
3. In the case of a business development company, include the
the SEC).
* * * * *
information:
* * * * *
* * * * *
By the Commission.
Jonathan G. Katz
Secretary
January 28, 1998
_______________________________
1 17 CFR 230.421.
2 17 CFR 230.461.
3 17 CFR 230.481.
5 17 CFR 229.101.
6 17 CFR 229.501.
7 17 CFR 229.502.
8 17 CFR 229.503.
9 17 CFR 229.508.
13 17 CFR 239.13.
14 17 CFR 239.25.
15 17 CFR 239.20.
16 17 CFR 239.32.
17 17 CFR 239.33.
18 17 CFR 239.34.
19 17 CFR 239.14.
23 See the Forms 10-Q of Pfizer, Inc. (File No. 1-3619) for
fiscal 1997.
24 See the 1996 Form 10-K filed by Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company (File No. 1-1910) and the Boddie-Noell Properties, Inc.
registration statement filed December 2, 1997 (File No. 333-
39803).
31 We are also amending Forms S-2, S-3, S-4, F-2, F-3, and F-4.
======END OF PAGE 88======
Along with the list of reports incorporated by reference, you
will include information on (1) how investors may obtain a copy
of these reports, and (2) how they may obtain copies of the
other reports you file with the SEC.
38 15 U.S.C. 77j(a)(3).
39 You may read and copy the comment letters and the staff's
summary of these letters in our Public Reference Room at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Ask for File No. S7-
3-97.
61 17 CFR 230.157.
62 17 CFR 240.0-10.