RiskMetrics Group today released its 2010 updates to its benchmark proxy voting guidelines. These global updates are developed as part of an extensive process that includes broad-based outreach to financial market participants. RiskMetrics’ governance analysts will begin applying the updated policies to all companies with shareholder meeting dates on or after February 1, 2010.

The 2010 policy updates address the governance issues stemming from a rapidly evolving regulatory environment and ongoing investor frustration with the global financial crisis. As a result, in the U.S., RiskMetrics’ key policy updates address important topics surrounding board accountability and executive compensation, including poison pills, director independence, long-term pay-for-performance alignment and management say-on-pay.

The entire 2010 global policy updates are accessible through RiskMetrics’ online Policy Gateway. The Gateway also contains helpful FAQs, summaries of outreach efforts, and other informational resources to provide all market participants with a better understanding of how RiskMetrics formulates and applies its updates.

Also, on December 10 at 1 p.m. EST, RiskMetrics will host a webcast to review its 2010 policy updates. To register for the webcast, please visit here.