Compliance told to focus on reality as Euro courts brace for slew of greenwashing cases
In 2025, the regulatory focus on greenwashing intensified globally. This trend is set to accelerate in 2026, and compliance has a key part to play in ensuring corporate statements are honest.
What 2025’s AI mishaps should teach compliance in 2026
If 2025 was the year generative AI took off in organizations in every sector, it was also the year we saw increasing examples of the risks of AI mishaps.
Retail energy compliance must focus on resilience and reporting
Cybercrime and national critical infrastructure responsibilities are key concerns for retail energy sector compliance. Resilience is vital for companies that keep the lights on and power financial institutions and hospitals.
EU loosens AI and data rules
Europe has been at the forefront of designing strong—but flexible—rules around data use and the safe development of AI, but the EU recently announced plans to simplify some key measures around data privacy and AI governance, which have met with mixed responses.
EU financial firms must prepare now for new rules on critical third-party arrangements
European banks and financial institutions must prepare now for stringent new rules on third-party suppliers.
EU moves to simplify GDPR and AI Act obligations, raising compliance questions for companies
For the past decade, Europe has led in creating strong but flexible rules for data use and safe AI development. The EU’s new plans to simplify key data privacy and AI governance measures have received a mixed response.
Former Credit Suisse compliance officer charged with money laundering
A compliance officer is facing charges for laundering $7 million in a complex legal case in Switzerland. Swiss prosecutors have charged Credit Suisse, and one of its former employees, with failing to maintain adequate controls.
Why the EU’s new Machinery Regulation is a wake-up call on cybersecurity
The European manufacturing industry is on the cusp of a regulatory shift that promises to reshape how machines are designed and operated.
Pharma sector boom puts pressure on compliance to counter financial crime
Regulation is a matter of life and death in the pharmaceutical industry. Rules to combat practices that can kill have been in force for decades, but tech developments are rapidly creating new risks and focusing lawmakers’ attention on areas where some compliance teams may lack experience.
New regulatory regimes for U.K. and EU ESG ratings firms could increase compliance costs
Environmental ratings are becoming big business as companies seek proof of sustainable and socially beneficial conduct. Firms that issue ratings on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance are set to be regulated in the EU and U.K.
U.K. outlines AI sandbox plan as regulators weigh compliance risks
The U.K. has set out a new blueprint for AI regulation, which aims to slash bureaucracy and ramp up the safe adoption of new and emerging technology to unlock potential and boost investment.
French court calls out alleged deceptive net zero claims by TotalEnergies
Regulators in Europe are focused on punishing energy firms that make deceptive claims on net zero targets, as TotalEnergies recently discovered.
Compliance officers accused of helping criminals run $346 million international payment fraud network
Four U.S. citizens were arrested in California Wednesday in connection with a massive, $346 million international credit card fraud scheme based in Germany, in which compliance officers were allegedly complicit, according to the DOJ.
Sanctions, money-laundering and supply chains top agenda for energy sector compliance
The energy sector faces rising regulatory activity, with more rules and enforcement. Bribery, corruption, and sanctions now dominate compliance concerns, driving rapid change and pressure on compliance officers.
Complying with the EU Data Act – What companies should know
Companies could face significant compliance challenges in trying to meet new EU legal requirements about how companies share data with third parties.
New EU Data Act may impact companies’ GDPR compliance efforts
New rules that have recently come into effect across the EU will allow for greater transfers of data between companies, though experts fear the changes could conflict with Europe’s strict privacy legislation, which protects personal information.
Extra-territorial rules: How to navigate global compliance complexity
Sanctions, tariffs, economic crime, big tech, data privacy, and environmental laws are expanding global compliance risks. Tougher penalties now reach deep into supply chains, making even small suppliers accountable to customers or regulators.
AMLA: What difference will the agency make in the EU’s fight against moneylaundering?
Europe’s massive financial sector has become a magnet for illicit money flowing through its banks and markets. A new EU agency will be taking the problem head-on to fight against money laundering.
Retailers face new compliance pressures from tariffs, sanctions, fraud and cybercrime
Regulators are pressuring retail compliance teams on supply chains, shifting sanctions and tariffs, sustainability, and digital commerce. Rising cyberattacks heighten data security concerns, while large retailers push legal and commercial requirements down their supply chains.
Compliance should prepare for more ESG reporting as global pressure rises
Most major organizations are not changing their ESG reporting plans, despite “regulatory ambiguity”, according to a report by consultancy KPMG. The researchers say this indicates market expectations are driving action as much as legal requirements.
Geopolitical risks among compliance concerns for metals, mining companies
Companies working in the metals and mining sectors face increased compliance checks due to efforts to clamp down on abuses in the supply chain, while “volatile” geopolitical changes make sourcing and transporting raw materials more difficult and expensive.
Inside a Dark Pact: A timeline of events
Amid Syria’s descent into civil war, Lafarge’s quest to keep its $680 million cement plant running led to secret deals with terrorists—and ultimately, a historic U.S. Department of Justice prosecution for aiding ISIS.
Inside a Dark Pact: Danger of their own making and a critical series of missteps
Paris-based cement maker Lafarge thought it was saving a plant—instead, it built a pipeline to the Islamic State of Syria.
Inside a Dark Pact: Background and evolution of a scheme
Middlemen were used and invoices were falsified, but the trail remained. French cement maker Lafarge’s Syrian cement plant began as a business in a war zone, but it soon spiraled into a revenue-sharing agreement with ISIS that led to historic charges of financing terrorism.
Inside a Dark Pact: Lafarge’s terrorist funding and compliance fallout in Syria
Compliance Week’s latest case study investigates French cement maker Lafargeʼs collapse into criminal conduct detailing how sidelining ethics and compliance can lead companies into dangerous territory. What began as “local concessions” ended in funding terrorism—and a historic legal and reputational disaster.
Digital wallets to speed up regulatory checks for recruitment, property transactions
You can already buy a coffee with your phone, but soon you could start a job or buy a house with it. Digital compliance wallets holding certificates and documents on smartphones are gaining traction worldwide.
EU targets crypto, fintech firms in push to tackle money laundering
Europe’s banking regulator warns that weak compliance at fintech, regtech, and crypto firms may let money laundering and terrorist financing risks slip through. The EBA also found EU regulators’ approaches are often inconsistent and unclear.
Hong Kong securities regulator hits repeat offender Deutsche Bank with $3M fine
Deutsche Bank has agreed to pay a $3 million fine and has returned $5 million in fee overcharges to customers as part of a resolution with Hong Kong’s financial services regulator.
Digital wallets should speed up compliance, but companies must focus on trust and security
The EU has one, the U.K. is getting one, many U.S. states are working with Google and Apple to provide one, and now industry sectors are developing their own digital wallet.
Compliance in the spotlight as tariffs, sanctions turn into geopolitical weapons
Navigating tariffs and sanctions is becoming a core part of compliance for many companies. As the U.S. and others use economic policies for political aims, compliance teams must adapt to this new geoeconomic trend.
Interactive Brokers to pay $11.8M to settle thousands of U.S. sanction violations
A brokerage and investment firm will pay $11.8 million for providing services to individuals under U.S. sanctions, as well as people located in countries sanctioned by the U.S.
U.K. hopes to create ‘third way’ in AI regulation between EU and U.S.
The U.K.’s data regulator has unveiled a new enforcement approach to AI development and usage that experts say seeks to carve a middle way between the strict rules applied by the European Union (EU) and the pro-industry, light-touch regime favored by the U.S.
Google AI Overviews under EU scrutiny after publishers file antitrust complaint
Google has once again been hit with an antitrust complaint. This time, it’s not about its Chrome browser or Google Search business, but instead the company’s use of AI.
U.S. tariffs and compliance: what U.K. and EU companies need to consider
Tariff risk has probably rarely featured on many companies’ risk registers in recent years, but it now likely sits high on the agenda because of President Donald Trump’s tariff focus.
European Commission unveils a simpler, more competitive EU Single Market, but businesses remain skeptical
The EU’s new strategy aims to boost SME growth and cut market barriers, but businesses doubt reforms will happen, and consumer groups fear weaker data protections.
EU, UK agree to reset rules on agrifoods, mergers and carbon trading as part of post-Brexit reset
Four years after Brexit, the U.K. and EU announced a “reset” that will ease barriers to importing and exporting food, drink, and agricultural produce. It may also harmonize rules around carbon emissions trading systems, simplifying compliance for multinational organizations that are large emitters, and enable more young people to gain ...
Bribery risk elevated, experts say, as DOJ narrows FCPA enforcement
When the U.S. Department of Justice announced a six-month enforcement pause of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in February, many speculated that the risks posed by bribery had been lowered. So when the DOJ said last week that it would resume launching FCPA investigations, it may just seem like ...
Trump administration launches pressure campaign against EU Digital Services Act
The Trump administration is preparing to ask the European Union to alter or water down its rules on content moderation on social media, claiming that they hurt the competitiveness of American technology companies.
Q&A: Symphony general counsel Corinna Mitchell on regulators’ push for supply chain resilience
Secure, resilient communications and trading platforms are critical both to financial services firms and to governments that know their economies depend upon them, says Corinna Mitchell, General Counsel at FS digital communications provider Symphony. That’s why her company is investing more in managing rapidly evolving compliance demands from multiple regulators ...
EU hits Apple, Meta with antitrust fines weeks after Trump tariffs announced
The European Union issued significant antitrust fines against two tech titans, hitting Apple with 500 million euros (U.S. $570 million) and Facebook owner Meta with 200 million euros (U.S. $228 million). The move sought to undermine key parts of both companies’ businesses less than a month after U.S. President Donald ...
UK’s deregulation drive raises compliance risk, say top lawyers
The United Kingdom’s latest effort to encourage regulators to pare down rules to attract companies and investment as a way to stimulate the economy has received mixed reviews from lawyers.
Glencore compliance monitorships ended early by DOJ
The U.S. Department of Justice ended two compliance monitorships on Glencore International more than a year early, monitorships imposed in 2022 after the company was convicted of paying bribes and manipulating commodities markets.
AI regulation: U.K. sits on regulatory fence between U.S. and E.U.
The U.K. has pressed pause on artificial intelligence regulation as its government comes under twin pressures from those who fear the growing power of unregulated AI and the overriding need to generate growth. The postponement of long-expected legislation means that the U.K. is left sitting on the fence between federal ...
States require companies to report greenhouse gas emissions as federal regulators step back
Some companies doing business in California and New York may soon be required to report the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of their operations to state authorities, even as the federal rule for disclosing such emissions is on life support.
U.K. says company boards need to worry more about cybersecurity risks
The U.K. government wants directors and boards of directors to become more actively involved in cybersecurity risks facing public and private companies, as the world faces “alarming” threats from criminal gangs and malicious nation-states.
Companies unprepared for European Accessibility Act as June deadline looms
An accessible website should be a basic requirement for businesses, allowing the largest number of people to access a company’s content and services. With technology as an enabler, it also makes good business sense. After all, why would any organization want to hinder customer access? However, many websites are not ...
EU regulator questions 'culture of compliance' with Digital Markets Act at Apple, Google
The European Commission released its preliminary findings last week regarding Apple and Google not complying with the Digital Markets Act. It issued orders to both companies regarding their business practice and plans to release all of its findings next week.
When it comes to trust, make sure to verify
The increasing efforts to fight modern slavery across the globe are getting a boost from EU rules that require companies to track and report on the issue. But compliance executives can’t lean on easy databases and automated solutions, experts increasingly say, that supply chain companies may ignore or lie to.
Experts: Companies ‘underestimate risk’ as first provisions of EU AI Act come into force
A European Union-wide ban on AI systems with “unacceptable” risk came into force on Feb. 2 as the first provisions of the EU’s AI Act took effect. Problems persist, however, over what the legislation requires and what corporate practices or uses of data may risk flouting the rules.
‘Abject failure’: U.K. lawmakers sound off on FCA’s failed 'naming and shaming' enforcement
U.K. lawmakers slammed the country’s chief financial regulator’s hopes of “naming and shaming” firms as part of its efforts to beef up enforcement, denting its credibility in the process and questioning the leadership of its chief executive.