Background to the Basel Framework

The Basel Framework is a consolidated version of the full set of standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), which is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks. The membership of the BCBS has agreed to fully implement these standards and apply them to the internationally active banks in their jurisdictions.

Structure of the Basel Framework

The framework comprises the 14 standards listed below. Each standard is divided into chapters, and many chapters have multiple versions, eg a chapter may have a version that is applicable now and one that will become applicable after the Basel III reforms have been implemented. The full breakdown of all chapters and versions is available here.

Acronym    Standard names
SCO Scope and definitions
CAP Definition of capital
RBC Risk-based capital requirements
CRE Calculation of RWA for credit risk
MAR Calculation of RWA for market risk
OPE Calculation of RWA for operational risk
LEV Leverage ratio
LCR Liquidity Coverage Ratio
NSF Net Stable Funding Ratio
LEX Large exposures
MGN Margin requirements
SRP Supervisory review process
DIS Disclosure requirements
BCP Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision   

 
If you would like to explore the source material for the consolidated Basel Framework, there is a mapping table that links each of the paragraphs of the BCBS's original published standards to their locations within the first published version the framework.

Navigating the Basel Framework

Consolidated Basel Framework (2:27)

2019

This tutorial explains the features of the Basel Committee's consolidated framework, bringing global standards for bank regulation and supervision together in one place. 

The Basel Framework homepage lists all 14 standards together with a short description of their content. The "effective as of" date is the date by which the members of the BCBS have agreed to implement the standards. By default, this date is set to the launch date of the consolidated framework for standards that were already in force at the launch of the framework. For standards that have chapters that are due to change in the future, a "next version" date is shown.

Click on the name of any standard to get the list of chapters that it contains. By default, you will see the current versions of the standards that are in effect as of the day you are using the website. In cases where new chapter versions are due to come into effect in the future, the chapter can be accessed by clicking the "new future version" link shown at the bottom of the chapter description.

Other features of the framework include:

  • Interactive cross-references to make it easier to navigate. 
  • A "time traveller" feature, which lets you select a future date and see the framework as it is due to apply at that date. 
  • Answers to frequently asked questions displayed directly underneath the paragraphs to which they relate. 
  • A section to view all past and future planned changes to the Basel Framework. 
  • An improved search function, which makes it easier to find specific content in each standard.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the consolidated Basel Framework, please let us know at baselcommittee@bis.org.