Corporate Governance

EU Commission Launches Call for Evidence on Anti-Corruption Strategy 2027–2030

The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to shape a non-legislative EU Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2027–2030, with adoption targeted for late 2026. This signals a stronger, more coordinated EU focus on anti-corruption controls, enforcement and governance that compliance and ESG teams should factor into medium-term risk and policy planning.

12 May 2026, 15:10eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Parliament Bill Proposes Independent Office Of The Whistleblower

The UK Parliament is considering a Private Members’ Bill to establish an independent Office of the Whistleblower with powers to set and enforce standards for handling whistleblowing cases, direct investigations, and order redress for detriment suffered by whistleblowers. If enacted, this would centralise whistleblowing oversight across sectors and likely require organisations to upgrade their whistleblowing frameworks, reporting processes and governance to meet new regulatory standards, even though no obligations apply until and unless the Bill is passed.

8 May 2026, 06:48bills.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

Switzerland Adopts FDJP Ordinance for Pilot Transparency Register for Legal Entities

Switzerland has adopted a time-limited FDJP ordinance launching a voluntary pilot transparency register for up to 8,000 legal entities, in force from May 2026 to May 2028. Participating companies must establish processes to gather consent and submit accurate, up-to-date beneficial ownership data via the central online portal, providing an early live test of the regime before the full transparency law takes effect.

6 May 2026, 07:49fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland

EU Council Adopts Directive on Combating Corruption

In April 2026 the Council of the EU formally adopted a directive that harmonises corruption offences and penalties across all member states and replaces the existing EU anti-corruption framework. This will drive tougher, more consistent anti-corruption enforcement and corporate liability regimes across sectors, so companies must strengthen controls and prepare for 24–36 month national transposition deadlines once the directive enters into force.

24 Apr 2026, 15:54consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

UK Bill To Strengthen Directors’ Duties On Environment And Employees

A UK Private Members' Bill would amend section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 so that directors must promote company success for the benefit of shareholders, the environment and employees, with a planned commencement from 6 April 2026 if enacted. If passed, this would embed environmental and workforce duties directly into core directors' obligations and narrative reporting, raising expectations on ESG governance, board decision-making and evidence of compliance for UK companies.

23 Apr 2026, 08:39publications.parliament.ukUnited Kingdom

EU COREPER Part 2 Schedules Anticorruption Directive Adoption and Sanctions Decisions

The EU Council’s COREPER Part 2 has set a mid‑April 2026 agenda that includes adoption of the Directive on combating corruption and several sanctions decisions relating to Russia, Sudan and Moldova. These agenda items signal imminent legal texts on EU-wide anti-corruption rules and updated sanctions regimes, so companies should prepare to adjust governance, screening and supply-chain compliance once the underlying acts are adopted.

22 Apr 2026, 20:58data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Opens Consultation on Evaluation of Whistleblower Protection Directive

The European Commission has opened an EU-wide public consultation to evaluate whether the Whistleblower Protection Directive is working as intended and to gather evidence on gaps, emerging needs, and possible extensions of its scope. This review signals that future changes to whistleblower protection and corporate reporting channels are possible, so organisations should monitor the evaluation and consider contributing input to shape any subsequent reforms.

19 Apr 2026, 18:06ec.europa.euEuropean Union

US HHS Proposes Interoperability and Prior Authorization Standards and Open Payments CMP Definition

HHS is proposing to modernise US prior authorisation for drugs through interoperable APIs and pharmacy standards, while also clarifying when drug and device manufacturers and GPOs can face civil monetary penalties for obstructing federal Open Payments audits. If adopted, the rule would increase compliance, IT, and transparency expectations for US health plans and life sciences companies, signalling a broader shift toward real-time data exchange and stricter enforcement of financial disclosure obligations.

19 Apr 2026, 18:03federalregister.govUnited States

EU Adopts Directive on Combating Corruption and Corporate Liability

The EU has adopted a new Directive on combating corruption that harmonises criminal offences, mandates corporate liability, and sets high turnover-based maximum fines and preventive obligations for Member States, with the final text now published as PE‑CONS 1/26 and awaiting Official Journal citation. Over the next 24–36 months after entry into force, companies operating in the EU should expect significantly higher and more consistent anti-corruption enforcement risk and will likely need to strengthen governance, internal controls, whistleblowing systems, and procurement practices to align with national transposition measures.

15 Apr 2026, 14:07data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Ofwat Rule Requiring Fit-And-Proper Test For Water Company Directors Takes Effect In England And Wales

Ofwat has mandated fit-and-proper person tests for water company directors in England and Wales, with compliance deadlines starting April 2026. This move heightens personal accountability for senior leadership and necessitates robust internal governance frameworks to manage regulatory and reputational exposure.

4 Apr 2026, 11:04ofwat.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Ofwat Issues Remuneration And Governance Rules For Water Companies

Ofwat has finalized binding governance and remuneration rules for water companies, mandating executive pay restrictions and director fitness tests starting April 2026. These measures shift regulatory oversight directly into the boardroom, requiring companies to institutionalize consumer feedback and formalize integrity assessments to maintain operational licenses.

3 Apr 2026, 18:46ofwat.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

OECD Working Group Issues Phase 4 Follow-Up Report on Brazil Under Anti-Bribery Convention

The OECD has released its Phase 4 follow-up report evaluating Brazil's progress in implementing international anti-bribery standards and corporate liability reforms. Companies operating in Brazil should prepare for increased enforcement rigor and potential legislative updates as the jurisdiction aligns with global anti-corruption expectations.

2 Apr 2026, 16:55oecd.orgBrazil

OECD Working Group on Bribery Adopts Phase 4 Follow-Up Report on Canada

The OECD has published its Phase 4 follow-up report evaluating Canada's progress in implementing international anti-bribery standards and corporate liability frameworks. Businesses should anticipate heightened enforcement activity and potential legislative shifts as Canada faces continued pressure to align its anti-corruption regime with global benchmarks.

2 Apr 2026, 16:55oecd.orgCanada

Netherlands Supreme Court Clarifies Profit Forfeiture for Sale of Unauthorized Plant Protection Products

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld significant personal profit forfeiture orders against executives for marketing unauthorized plant protection products. This judgment signals a zero-tolerance approach to market non-compliance and establishes that directors face direct financial liability for illicit gains regardless of corporate structures.

2 Apr 2026, 10:19uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Japan METI Receives Chubu Electric Response To Electricity Business Act Report Order On Hamaoka Nuclear Works

Japan's METI is reviewing a formal report from Chubu Electric detailing systemic governance and procurement failures during safety upgrades at the Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station. The case underscores a shift toward stricter enforcement of utility compliance, requiring companies to integrate procurement oversight with technical project management to mitigate operational and regulatory risk.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33meti.go.jpJapan

OECD Working Group on Bribery Urges Argentina To Strengthen Foreign Bribery Enforcement and Whistleblower Protection

The OECD has called for urgent reforms in Argentina to address structural gaps in foreign bribery enforcement and whistleblower protection. Companies should anticipate stricter oversight and potential legislative changes, necessitating a review of local anti-corruption compliance and reporting frameworks.

2 Apr 2026, 09:28oecd.orgArgentina

Japan Consumer Affairs Agency Publishes Partial Amendment to Commentary on Whistleblower Protection Act Guidelines

Japan has finalized amended whistleblower guidelines and commentary, scheduled to take effect on December 1, 2026. Companies must enhance internal reporting infrastructure and confidentiality protocols to align with stricter governance standards and mitigate legal risks.

1 Apr 2026, 19:35caa.go.jpJapan

Japan CAA Publishes Amended Statutory Guidelines Under Whistleblower Protection Act Article 11

Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency has finalized amended statutory guidelines for whistleblower protection systems, set to enter into force on December 1, 2026. Organizations must update internal reporting channels and governance policies to ensure compliance with revised requirements for personnel engagement and system management.

1 Apr 2026, 19:17public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

US Executive Order Addresses DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

A new US Executive Order mandates that federal contractors eliminate racially discriminatory DEI practices, with mandatory contract clauses taking effect by late April 2026. Linking compliance to the False Claims Act creates significant litigation and debarment risks, necessitating an urgent audit of corporate diversity programs and subcontractor oversight.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29whitehouse.govUnited States

Netherlands Appeal Court Convicts Director for Illegal Transfer of Onion and Potato Wash Water to Unauthorised Facility

The Dutch Court of Appeal has affirmed that food processing wash water is legally classified as industrial waste rather than a fertilizer or by-product. This judgment establishes a clear precedent for personal criminal liability of senior management when industrial waste streams are transferred to unauthorized or unregistered facilities.

30 Mar 2026, 17:20uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands