Compliance

Last month a new Unverified List was published and the vast majority of the foreign entities featured on the UVL are located in Hong Kong. This may come as no surprise to exporters who've screened transaction partners there in the past, but - while unfavorable determinations are routine in the city, it remains an attractive hub for exports. Here's what...

The GSK China scandal came to light through a sex tape, and the anonymous whistleblower who leaked the tape also presented allegations of bribery. GSK's own investigation into the matter has failed to net anything of substance, but the Chinese government has turned up a great deal of evidence pointing to massive systemic bribery.

An effective ethics and compliance program is integral to good business. With the passing of the Clean Companies Act, companies doing business in Brazil have new regulations to comply with, and maintaining operations in line with these standards is an essential step in maintaining a competitive edge.

Even thorough, established ethics and compliance training programs can fall quite short in the desired outcomes department if the instruction is mind-numbingly boring. If you hope to advance the C&E cause in your organization, you'll need a robust training program that engages employees where they are.

Recent legislation has had a significant impact on the trade of conflict minerals, including "blood diamonds," out of areas ravaged by war and run by warlords. The deadline for reporting supply chain partners, per Dodd-Frank, has come and gone, and companies have found it difficult to say with certainty whether their materials are truly conflict-free. A QMS can be hugely...

In the past month, we've heard plenty of allegations of corruption associated with the Brazil World Cup, but there's as much or more controversy surrounding the forthcoming events in Qatar. Tom Fox suggests that when there's a question of corruption, just follow the money. And in this case, it's flying in all sorts of questionable directions.

The Board of Directors has immense power when it comes to facilitating the success of the company's ethics and compliance program. From setting tone at the top and holding management accountable for their staff's - and their own - adherence to the program, the importance of the Board cannot be overestimated.

Independent pharmacies have their work cut out for them when it comes to remaining compliant with ever-changing industry regulations. The mom and pop shops known for their personal service are subject to the same standards as their big-box counterparts. Here’s a rundown of DEA red flags and preventive measures to avoid violations.

An in-depth look at antitrust activity and litigation over the past several years, with keen insight into what’s to come. Effective compliance programs are vital, without a doubt. But if your organization is faced with an antitrust violation, don’t expect leniency from the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice on those grounds.

When assessing how effective your compliance program is, step into the regulators’ shoes. What are they looking for? Current and former high-level staff at the DOJ and SEC have keen insight into the issue. Does spending line up with compliance priorities? What do the roles of your legal and compliance departments say about your commitment to compliance?

When there’s no witness to wrongdoing, it can be so much easier to justify. And there are rarely witnesses when bribes are being made. The situation gets particularly sticky when compensation is a factor; the internal discussion turns from “do I need to report this” to “what would reporting this cost me?”

A few months into its fifth year, the Affordable Care Act remains true to its original set of goals and does not appear to be losing its momentum in its quest to reform health care. Author Craig Garner provides expert analysis of the order's impact on the industry -- and some forecasts for what's to come.