RiskMetrics Group today announced the opening of its annual comment period for its 2010 proxy voting policies. The comment period, part of RiskMetrics’ policy development process, offers institutional investors, corporate issuers, and industry constituents the opportunity to provide feedback on RiskMetrics’ draft policies.

The comment period runs through November 11 and covers updates to RiskMetrics’ proxy voting policy in markets worldwide. Topics covered include takeover defenses, board and director independence, executive compensation, and share purchase authorities.

RiskMetrics gathers extensive input each year from clients and market constituents through a policy survey, issue-oriented roundtables and a unique open comment period to ensure its voting policies comprise a broad range of views. This year’s policy survey had over 700 respondents, weighing in on issues ranging from management say-on-pay to sustainability and corporate responsibility. The full results from the survey are posted to RiskMetrics’ Policy Gateway.

RiskMetrics Group plans to release its final 2010 U.S. and International policy updates on November 20 and its Global Policy Summary and Concise Guidelines in late-December. To participate in RiskMetrics’ comment period, please visit here. To learn more about RiskMetrics’ policy formulation process, please visit here.