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EDGAR

Webopedia Staff
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:41 am

Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system was implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to do two things: 1) quickly process time-sensitive information of publicly-held companies and 2) provide investors with easier access to company information.

EDGAR became available to filers on July 15, 1992, and as of May 6, 1996, all domestic publicly-held companies are required to submit financial information via EDGAR.

On July 1, 1998, EDGAR began a three-year modernization process that currently allows filers to submit official copies of information using more attractive and readable formats such as non-table HTML files (3.2 standard) and unofficial copies using PDFfiles.

EDGAR is also going through a restructuring process that will improve the ability to update information and access information on the EDGAR Web site.

Currently, every publicly-held company is listed in the EDGAR database.