SEC Form F-6EF

SEC Form F-6EF is a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), also known as the Registration for Depository Shares form, required for publicly traded foreign companies who wish to have shares of their company trade as American Depository Receipts (ADRs) on American stock markets. SEC Form F-6EF must include the issuer's foreign name, its name translated into English, and the contact information for the U.S.-based depository issuing the ADRs.

Form F-6EF is almost identical to Form F-6, which also registers ADRs with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, the "EF" designates that this form is "auto-effective" upon filing, meaning that the SEC considers the securities to be registered upon receipt. Related forms include SEC Forms F-6, 15, 18 and 20.

Foreign companies often list their shares as ADRs in the U.S. in order to attract a greater breadth of investors, and increase their status in the corporate world. American exchanges tend to be more liquid and important than other world stock markets. With an ADR, a foreign company's shares are effectively traded both in the U.S. and abroad.

SEC Form F-6EF is issued in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933. It is used to register foreign publicly traded companies who wish to list shares of American Depository Receipts (ADRs) on U.S. exchanges. The "EF" designation means that this form, unlike the standard SEC Form F-6, is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC, pursuant to Rule 466 of Part 230, that is immediately upon filing.

Traditionally, the SEC Form F-6 is used to register an ADR. However, a depositary request that previously has filed a registration statement on Form F-6 ( § 239.36) may designate a date and time for a registration statement (including post-effective amendments) on Form F-6 to become effective and such registration statement shall become effective in accordance with such designation. According to the SEC, the filing may be effective immediately ("EF") if the following conditions are met:

1. The depositary firm previously has filed a registration statement on Form F-6, which the SEC has already declared effective, with identical terms of deposit, except for the number of foreign securities a Depositary Share represents, and the depositary so certifies; and
2. The designation of the effective date and time is set forth on the facing-page of the registration statement, or in any pre-effective amendment thereto. A pre-effective amendment containing such a designation properly made shall be deemed to have been filed with the consent of the SEC.