Consequential Rule changes to complement the new sponsor regulation The SFC published the “Consultation Conclusions on the regulation of IPO Sponsors” on 12 December 2012 and the new sponsor regulation became effective on 1 October 2013. The Exchange has made appropriate changes to the Listing Rules and streamlined the listing vetting process to complement the new sponsor regulation, with a view to making the process more efficient, while maintaining the standards of companies to be listed on the Exchange.