On Friday 14 June, the EU Council adopted its position on a new directive setting minimum standards for the definition and punishment of corruption offences, preventive measures and rules to improve the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, it said in a press release.
The main novelty of this legislation is that, for the first time at EU level, it brings together in a single legal act the rules on corruption in the public and private sectors.
The new directive will replace two separate EU directives: a 2003 directive dealing with corruption in the private sector and a 1997 EU convention on corruption involving officials of the EU or EU Member States. It will also amend the 2017 Directive on fraud and other criminal offences affecting the EU’s financial interests.
Criminal offences that become illegal under EU law will carry a maximum prison sentence of at least two to four years, depending on the offence.
Those found guilty of corruption may face additional penalties such as fines, dismissal from public office, disqualification from holding a public office or public service, withdrawal of licences and exclusion from access to tendering procedures and public funds.
Legal entities (companies) also incur penalties in the form of fines ranging from at least 3 to 5% of their total worldwide turnover or at least €24 or €40 million, depending on the infringement.
Link to general approach: https://aeur.eu/f/cnd (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)