Staff of the Market Regulation Department has recently received several inquiries concerning allowable uses of personal cell phones on the trading floors.  At its recent meeting, the Trading Floor Operations Committee reviewed the matter and directed that this advisory be distributed to clarify the policy to all members and their employees.

The use of personal cell phones by members or their employees on the trading floor to accept or place orders remains strictly prohibited.  However, members may place orders using their personal cell phones from the member break rooms on the trading floors provided that the party they are contacting is receiving the order via a CME approved telecommunication device and not a personal cell phone.  CME provides various approved communication methods for members on the trading floor who wish to accept or place orders (either directly or through one of their employees) including wired and wireless headsets or order placement through clearing firm desks or CME Globex execution operations.  Please be reminded that wired and wireless phones issued by CME may be used only for the purposes for which they have been authorized.

Use of personal cell phones for non-business purposes is permissible anywhere on the trading floor.  Please be advised, however, that use of personal cell phones in a trading pit for non-business purposes that disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the pit is strictly prohibited.

Additionally, please be reminded that the use of cameras or video equipment is expressly prohibited on the trading floors without approval by the CME Corporate Communications Department.  This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the use of camera or video functionality within cell phones or other telecommunication devices.

Individuals found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action under Rule 513.B. (“Conduct, Apparel and Badges – Sanctions”), Rule 514.A.9. (“Trading Infractions - Conduct of an Unbusinesslike Nature’), Rule 432.Q. (“Major Offenses – to commit an act which is substantially detrimental to the interest or welfare of the Exchange”), and/or Rule 433.B. (“Minor Offenses – to engage in uncommercial conduct”).

If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact Greg Benbrook, Associate Director, Market Regulation, at 312/930.4529 or any of the Trading Floor Investigators or supervisory staff.