The new Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Law: Some FAQs

On November 13, 2019, the new Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Law was published in the Dutch Government Gazette. It introduces a duty of care for companies to prevent the supply of goods or services which have come into existence using child labour. Companies likely to be affected must set out a plan of action on how to combat it and issue a due diligence statement on their investigation and plan of action.

Though the exact date the act comes into force is not yet known, companies will have six months from the law’s effective date to submit the required documentation demonstrating compliance with the statute. Companies, even those registered outside the Netherlands, selling goods or services to Dutch end-users are required to exercise due diligence to assess whether the services or goods being supplied have been produced using child labour.

Under the Act, firms are required to ensure due diligence through the following:

• Investigate their supply chains to identify any suspicion of child labour
• Draft and implement a plan of action to terminate child labour if identified from investigations
• Create an action plan to avoid the use of child labour
• Submit a declaration to the yet-to-be-determined regulatory body, affirming that they have exercised an appropriate level of supply chain due diligence to prevent child labour

In cases of non-compliance with the Child Labour Due Diligence Law, the supervisory authority must first issue a compliance order. It can only impose an administrative fine if the company fails to duly comply with this order.

The Consequences of Failure to Exercise Due Diligence

Non-compliance with the obligation to submit the required statement can result in an administrative fine of a maximum of EUR 4,350 or a fine of up to EUR 8,700. Failure to exercise due diligence or develop and execute a plan of action as required by the Act may result in a fine of up to EUR 870,000 or a fine of up to 10% of the company’s turnover in the preceding financial year.

Repeated non-compliance with the Act within five years of the imposition of an administrative fine is an economic offense under the Dutch Economic Offences Act. While the Act’s criminal provision is ambiguous, company directors could face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to EUR 21,750.

The Act reflects a significant new step in combating child labour in corporate supply chains, introducing mandatory requirements under an administrative and criminal penalty regime. It fits into an increasing global focus on CSR and labour trafficking in corporate supply chains.

Although several aspects of the Act need to be further clarified by subordinate legislation, companies should start assessing the possibility of any form of child labour in their supply chains. They should also consider reviewing whether existing compliance programs will be sufficient to comply with the Act’s requirements.

Several key questions remain: When will the implementation of the law begin? What should the statement include? What constitutes sufficient due diligence? and Which government body will be in charge of regulating and enforcing the law? These elements will be specified in the General Administrative Orders to be announced by the Dutch government. The law’s effectiveness will largely depend on how these administrative orders take form.

Despite its flaws, the Dutch law is a critical moment for the international movement toward mandatory due diligence.

Due Diligence investigations: Mitigate Critical Risks

At CRI®, we provide due diligence services wherever you are. Use our DueDiligence360™ reports to help you comply with anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption regulations ahead of a merger, acquisition, or joint venture. You can also use them for third-party risk assessment, onboarding decision-making, and identifying beneficial ownership structures.

On November 13, 2019, the new Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Law was published in the Dutch Government Gazette. It introduces a duty of care for companies to prevent the supply of goods or services which have come into existence using child labour. Companies likely to be affected must set out a plan of action on how to combat it and issue a due diligence statement on their investigation and plan of action.

Though exact date the act comes into force is not yet known, companies will have six months from the law’s effective date to submit the required documentation demonstrating compliance with the statute. Companies, even those registered outside the Netherlands, selling goods or services to Dutch end-users are required to exercise due diligence to assess whether the services or goods being supplied have been produced using child labour.

Under the Act, firms are required to ensure due diligence through the following:

• Investigate their supply chains to identify any suspicion of child labour
• Draft and implement a plan of action to terminate child labour if identified from investigations
• Create an action plan to avoid the use of child labour
• Submit a declaration to the yet-to-be-determined regulatory body, affirming that they have exercised an appropriate level of supply chain due diligence in order to prevent child labour

In cases of non-compliance of the Child Labour Due Diligence Law, the supervisory authority must first issue a compliance order. It can only impose an administrative fine if the company fails to duly comply with this order.

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHILD LABOUR DUE DILIGENCE LAW

The Consequences of Failure to Exercise Due Diligence

Non-compliance with the obligation to submit the required statement can result in an administrative fine of maximum EUR 4,350 or a fine of up to EUR 8,700. Failure to exercise due diligence or develop and execute a plan of action as required by the Act, may result in a fine of up to EUR 870,000 or a fine of up to 10% of the company’s turnover in the preceding financial year.

Repeated non-compliance with the Act within five years as of the imposition of an administrative fine is an economic offense under the Dutch Economic Offences Act. While the Act’s criminal provision is ambiguous, company directors could face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to EUR 21,750.

The Act reflects a significant new step in combating child labour in corporate supply chains, introducing mandatory requirements under an administrative and criminal penalty regime. It fits into an increasing global focus on CSR and labour trafficking in corporate supply chains.

Although several aspects of the Act need to be further clarified by subordinate legislation, companies should start assessing the possibility of any form of child labor in their supply chains. They should also consider reviewing whether existing compliance programs will be sufficient to comply with the Act’s requirements.

A number of key questions – such as when the implementation of the law will begin, what the statement should include, what exactly constitutes sufficient due diligence, and which government body will actually be in charge of regulating and enforcing the law – remain unanswered for now. These elements will be specified in the General Administrative Orders to be announced by the Dutch government. The law’s effectiveness will largely depend on how these administrative orders take form.

Despite its flaws, the Dutch law is a critical moment for the international movement toward mandatory due diligence.

LET’S TALK ABOUT CHILD LABOUR DUE DILIGENCE LAW

Due Diligence Investigations: Mitigate Critical Risks

At CRI™, we provide due diligence services wherever you are. Use our DueDiligence360™ reports to help you comply with anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption regulations ahead of a merger, acquisition, or joint venture. You can also use them for third-party risk assessment, onboarding decision-making, and identifying beneficial ownership structures.

Due Diligence helps you Identify key risk issues clearly and concisely using accurate information in a well-structured and transparent report format. Our comprehensive range of reports includes specialised reports that support specific compliance requirements. Protect your reputation and the risk of financial damage and regulator action using our detailed reports. They enhance your knowledge and understanding of the customer, supplier, and third-party risk, helping you avoid those involved with financial crime.

The CRI Group™ invites you to schedule a quick appointment with them to discuss in more detail how conducting due diligence and compliance can help you and your organisation.

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, 

We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

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How does Human Rights Due Diligence Legislation in EU affect Asia

Filed under: All Industries, All Regions,

Case Study: Lessons Learned from Employee Fraud

Filed under: Background Investigation, CRI News,

What’s Your Plan of Action for Mandatory Due Diligence?

There is growing momentum among governments all over the world that calls for Mandatory Due Diligence. This requires companies to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence. We now have the French Duty of Vigilance Law and the adoption in 2021 of new laws in Germany and Norway to the publication of a proposal for an EU-wide law in 2022, all moving in this direction. Major investors and companies are also speaking out in favour of such legislation, according to business-humanrights.org

Corporates will not be allowed anymore to focus on short-term benefits at the expense of long-term sustainable value creation. Environmental and social interests will also need to be fully woven into business strategies of the corporates.

Improving Commitment to Mandatory Due Diligence

Corporates are bound to get in line with human rights due diligence guidelines, as prescribed by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Yet very few actually comply with the standards and nearly half of the biggest companies in the world analysed in the latest Corporate Human Rights Benchmark could not produce any proof of mitigating human rights issues in their supply chains.

The KnowTheChain benchmarks showed companies scoring a poor 29% for their human rights due diligence efforts — something that mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence laws seek to address.

For these laws should to be effective, a few important factors need to be factored in, such as a due diligence obligation for businesses across their global value chains; an effective and safe stakeholder engagement; mandatory requirements that go beyond routine check and audits, a thorough look at irresponsible business models and purchasing practices, and strong civil liability enforcement.

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We can help with Mandatory Due Diligence

The CRI Group™ has developed a highly specialised assessment solution for Corporate

From enhanced due diligence to identify non-compliance of the regulatory framework and damaging environmental allegations to investigating company (or stakeholder) human rights violations related to labour laws, child labour or human trafficking, CRI Group experts help determine the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners and suppliers affiliated with your company’s value chain.

The Benefits of Compliance

Recent studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between the extent to which companies implement environmental, social and good governance policies, and their overall economic performance, all while contributing to a more stable global marketplace. Such responsible business conduct will:

• Enhance protection for workers
• Improve access to justice for victims
• Safeguard the environment
• Ensure fair products for consumers

Further, apart from general compliance with EU mandates, such organisations will benefit from:

• Reduced overall liability risks
• Improved stakeholder protection
• Lower costs resulting from conflicts
• Improved company transparency
• More profound knowledge of the value chain
• Enhanced reputation in the market &
• Improved social standards for workers

CRI Group’s corporate due diligence and accountability solutions can help your organisation comply with a growing list of global regulations and mandates related to human rights and the environment while acting as an integral part of your business decision-making and risk management systems. 

Contact the CRI Group to learn more about our Corporate Due Diligence and Accountability solutions and stay one step ahead of the pending EU mandates. We look forward to assisting you.

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About CRI Group™

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, 

We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI Group launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC™) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification.

ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. Contact ABAC™ for more on ISO Certification and training.

Filed under: All Industries, All Regions, Compliance Solution,

EU: Can IP Infringements Cost You Your Life?

The Intellectual Property Commission estimates that IP infringements in the form of counterfeit goods, trade secret theft, and pirated software costs the US economy $225 billion to $600 billion.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 and its subsequent spread around the world, counterfeiters have turned their attention to producing fake testing kits, counterfeit personal protection equipment and, even before the authorities have approved treatments, fake medicines purporting to cure the disease, according to the 2020 status report by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The joint report on counterfeit medicines showed that not only ‘lifestyle’ medicines but also medicines to treat serious diseases, including antibiotics, cancer therapies or heart disease medications, are subject to being counterfeited, with potentially deadly consequences for the patients who consume those medicines.

This report underlines the importance of IP rights to the EU economy and, therefore, to any recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, which has dominated the first half of 2020 and threatens to have long-lasting effects. It brings together the findings of the research carried out in recent years by the EUIPO, through the European Observatory on the infringement of Intellectual Property Rights, on the extent, scope and economic consequences of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) infringement in the EU.

The Status Report also contains research on the volume of counterfeit and pirated goods in international trade and the economic contribution of intellectual property-rights intensive industries to economic growth and jobs.

IP Rights and your employees

Depending on the type of business you are involved in, it is likely that your employees will create certain types of intellectual property in the course of their employment with you. This is especially true if they are involved in compiling databases, creating marketing material and training brochures. Since the IP rights here belong to the company they work for, an employee contract will serve to protect you here. 

It is also vital here to run background checks on employees before you hire them.

السابقة واللاحقة لعملية التوظيف

Simply investing in sufficient employment screening services can save you time, money and heartbreak. The CRI Group is a leading worldwide provider, specialising in local and international employee background check, including pre employment background check.

Our employee background checks services, also known as EmploySmart™, is a robust new pre employment screening service certified for BS7858 to avoid negligent hiring liabilities and prevent horror stories and taboo tales within HR, your business, or your brand. 

VIEW EMPLOYSMART™ BROCHURE

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How the CRI Group™ can help you tackle IP infringement

CRI Group’s Intellectual Property Investigations team helps companies identify threats to IP and confidential information internally and throughout their supply chain, develop the appropriate mitigation strategies and investigate suspected infringements.

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For further information on IPR infringement or to book a meeting with our experts, click here.

Filed under: All Industries, Background Investigation,

The mandatory Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: How to comply?

The European Commission on 23 February 2022 adopted a long-awaited proposal for a Directive on mandatory corporate sustainability due diligence for widely-defined specified “companies”. The proposals cover obligations throughout the value chain and also attach to non-EU companies which meet specific criteria.

Companies need to prepare now both across their own business operations and their value chain to comply with the proposed Directive. While 2024 is the earliest the Directive will come into effect, the lead time will be needed to put compliant measures in place, or to face civil liabilities and significant fines based on turnover.

How does the mandatory corporate sustainability due diligence directive work?

The proposed Directive establishes a corporate sustainability due diligence duty requiring specific companies to identify and, where necessary, prevent, end or mitigate the potential or actual adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and the environment. Companies will have to publicly communicate their findings in an annual report and there are express directors’ duties.  A European Network of Supervisory Authorities will be created to ensure coordination and alignment between Member States, as per a report on cms-lawnow.com 

The proposal recognises the important role that directors will play in this process, such that new directors’ duties are proposed to set up and oversee the implementation and integration of sustainable due diligence into the corporate strategy, and a remunerative incentivisation used to ensure climate change is incorporated within the scope of the corporate plan. A director’s duty to act in the best interest of a company will now include expressly taking into account the human rights, climate change and environmental consequences of their decisions in the near, medium and long term.

Accompanying Measures

Although SMEs are not directly in scope of the proposal, the Commission proposes accompanying measures to support all companies that may be indirectly affected by the broad application of the draft Directive.

Member States are required to ensure that natural and legal persons are entitled to submit substantiated concerns to any supervisory authority when they have reasons to believe, on the basis of objective circumstances, that a company is failing to comply with the national provisions adopted pursuant to the Directive. They are also obliged to establish civil liability regimes where companies are liable for damages if they fail to comply with the due diligence rules and as a result of this failure an adverse impact that should have been identified, prevented, mitigated, brought to an end or its extent minimised through appropriate measures occurs and leads to damage.

Implications of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive

Once the final version of the Directive is transposed, procedures and training will be required to ensure that companies have the requisite systems in place to be able to comply with the obligations and provide such reports. This will involve dialogue throughout the value chain and changes to existing contractual arrangements. Those not directly in scope should also consider their position and potential new requests for information to assist in the due diligence process by others. Once legislation is implemented, non-compliance can result in fines or orders issued requiring the company to comply with the due diligence obligation. Victims could also obtain compensation for damage due to non-compliance with this legislation, says cms-lawnow.com 

The way forward

The proposal will be presented to the European Parliament and the Council for debate. Once a text is agreed, approved, and then adopted, Member States will have two years to transpose it into national law. This initiative is part of a wider corporate sustainability package intended to advance the European Green Deal which also announced an agreed Council position on the Commission’s proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. 

The German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act

In January 2023 a new German law, known as the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, becomes effective and applies to companies operating or trading in Germany. The law introduces a legal requirement for businesses to manage social and environmental issues in their supply chains, through more responsible business practices.

The Act requires businesses to undergo significant efforts in order to achieve compliance. In this eBook, we will provide a first outline of the Act’s material contents and an in-depth analysis of the applicability of the Act to various corporate structures.

This eBook is the collection of a series of articles in which we will take a closer look at key issues, especially addressing the question of what you can do to adequately prepare yourself at this early stage. We would be happy to provide you with individual advice, as well. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please feel free to get in touch with the team! Let’s talk

 

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Employee Background Screening: Fake CV Lands a Top NHS Job… Are Your Employees Telling the Truth?

Is Employee Background Screening as critical as they make it out to be?

A former builder who faked his CV to land a series of top NHS jobs has finally been forced to pay the full price for his ‘staggering lies’, says a shocking report on timesnewsuk.com/

After Andrewes was exposed he was convicted of fraud, jailed for two years and ordered to hand over all his remaining assets of £96,737. But the confiscation order was overturned by the Court of Appeal two years ago when judges ruled he had given ‘full value’ for his salary in the jobs he did. Now, more than five years after pleading guilty to fraud charges, Andrewes has had the financial penalty reinstated by the Supreme Court and must pay back nearly £100,000. 

Under his fake persona, Andrewes insisted on staff calling him ‘Dr’ and claimed to have degrees from three universities. But his only genuine higher education qualification was a certificate in social work. After starting as a builder he spent much of his career as a probation officer, customs officer or youth worker before inventing a new life for himself as an NHS manager.

However, an investigation at the hospice uncovered discrepancies in his CV and led to police being called in. ‘He came across as very knowledgeable and competent,’ recalled David Shepperd, former head of legal services at Plymouth City Council, who liaised closely with Andrewes on a council-funded green project. ‘He was an affable, nice guy to deal with.’

‘It beggars belief that no due diligence was carried out when he was appointed to these roles in the NHS,’ says an NHS source, quoted in the timesnewsuk.com report.

LOOKING FOR UK SCREENING?

The UK Screening Module covers:

• Identity Check: An independent check to authenticate an individual’s identity using various sources of stated data.
• Regulated Employment History & References: Regulated employment references to confirm previous employment details.
• Academic Qualifications: Confirmation of highest academic qualification, including details of institution and dates attended.
• Professional Qualifications: Confirmation of latest or most relevant Professional or Trade Memberships.
• FSA Register Search against the UK Financial Services Authority Individual Register and Prohibited Persons Register
• UK Credit Check Check to determine the general credit worthiness of the candidate.
• Directorship Search: Search for UK Directorships and any disqualifications.
• Negative Media Search: Search of press and other media focusing on derogatory information only.
• Compliance Database Check: Search for inclusion in governmental sanctions, enforcements, watchlists, blacklists and criminality.
• Criminal Record Checks — Standard Disclosure: A check of all convictions held on the PNC.

More details on the UK Screening Module can be had here.

A business must understand its exposure when hiring and type of insurance coverage and limits – does your policy cover a negligent hiring lawsuit? The checks are critical to any company’s success – hiring qualified, honest, and hard-working employees is an integral part of thriving in the business community.

DOWNLOAD THE EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND SCREENING FAQs HERE

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IP infringement: The Intellectual Property and Youth Scoreboard 2022 is ut!

IP infringement by way of buying counterfeit goods online and accessing digital content from illegal sources, intentionally or by accident, remain a common practise among youth, says the 2022 edition of the Intellectual Property and Youth Scoreboard.

Released by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the study provides an update on the behaviours of youth towards purchasing fake products and intellectual property infringement. It is based on a survey of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in all 27 member states of the European Union (EU) and highlights the factors driving young people to purchase counterfeit goods or access digital content from illegal sources.

Key drivers behind purchasing fakes and accessing pirated content are mostly the price and availability. Peer and social influence such as the behaviour of family or friends also affect the decisions of European youth, says a report of the study on IP Helpdesk.

The Increasing Dangers of IP Infringement

Counterfeit goods pose a significant threat to consumers’ health and safety and is detrimental to the environment. Pirated wares also have a wide range of negative consequences for global economies, the report finds.

Fact: Young Europeans buy more fake products and continue to access pirated content

• 37% of young people bought one or several fake products intentionally in the last 12 months
• 21% of 15 to 24 year olds say they intentionally use illegal sources of digital content in the last 12 months
• 60% of young Europeans said they prefer to access digital content from legal sources, compared to 50% in 2019
• Price and availability remain the main factors for buying counterfeits and for digital piracy

The EUIPO is based in Spain and among one of the most innovative intellectual property offices globally. The European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights is a network of experts and specialist stakeholders. It was established in 2009, with a mission to fight the increasing danger of IP Infringement in Europe and to protect the rights of online property.

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Filed under: All Industries, Background Investigation,

Employee Background Screening FAQs – PART III: Conflict of Interest Checks & FACIS Searches

This three-part series of articles looks at employee background screening FAQs.

How do you know the candidate you just offered a role to is the ideal candidate? Are you 100% sure that everything they’re telling you is the truth? Or are you 90% certain? They showed you a diploma: How do you know it’s not photoshopped? Did you follow the correct procedures during your background checks process?

Simply investing in sufficient screening systems can save you time, money and heartbreak, as the employee background screening FAQs ebook will show you.

Part One of the series, “What, Why and Who?” provides an introduction to employee background checks and the necessary screenings that are vital to avoid horror stories and taboo tales that occur within your business. Part Two, “Pre-Employment Checks,” are essentially an investigation into a person’s character – inside and outside their professional lives. Part Three, “Conflict of interest check & FACIS Searches,” checks for any conflict of interests and sanctions, exclusions, debarments and disciplinary actions. To receive the next series subscribe to our monthly newsletter subscribe now!

Taken as a whole, this employee background screening FAQs ebook developed by the CRI® Group is the perfect primer for HR professionals and companies wanting guidance on background screening, pre-employment screening and post-employment background checks.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL SERIES HERE

WE’VE COMPILED A LIST OF OUR MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN THIS EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND SCREENING FAQs. IF YOU CANNOT FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BELOW, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM!

At CRI® Group, we specialise in employment screening, working as trusted partners to HR and recruiting managers of corporations and institutions worldwide. Our people work with energy, insight and care to ensure we provide a positive experience to everyone involved – clients, reference providers and candidates.

LET’S TALK

Is it Possible to Identify Conflict of Interest During Checks?

Conflict of interest occurs when an individual or company have interests that might influence or be perceived as being capable of influencing their judgment even unconsciously. What your client wants you to do is to check whether the subject has any additional business or interests that are in conflict with what they were retained to do.

Example:
You head the public relations department of the UAE’s largest bank. The department is responsible for putting together a quality service recognition programme. Your bank’s public relations agency is designing the advertising speciality components for the programme targeting the bank’s 10,000 employees. Your wife owns XYZ Promotions, the largest advertising speciality firm in the state.

The company offers the best prices for large orders. XYZ Promotions has supplied products for a number of other accounts of the public relations firm. However, this is the first time that the public relations firm has used XYZ Promotions for a bank project. The public relations firm does not know that your wife owns XYZ Promotions. You have not suggested the use of XYZ Promotions.

The public relations firm has made its recommendations to you, including using XYZ Promotions as the vendor for the quality service recognition programme. The bottom line is that if somebody is contracted to do a job — so they do not have any connections from which they could benefit again (like above — you are working for the bank, and it is your job to select an advertising company and if you select XYZ you benefit again!) Essentially this is a conflict of interest because you would benefit from this if XYZ was given the job.

Would you like to learn more about our internal investigation and conflict of interest services? Get in touch and let us know how we can help!

What Will a Financial Regulatory Check Show?

These checks entail a search of individuals who have been disqualified from holding prudentially significant roles primarily within the Banking, Finance, Securities and Investment sector (BFSI), e.g. Individuals who have been disqualified from involvement in the management of a corporation, banned from being securities or futures representatives, banned or disqualified from practising in the financial services industry and individuals who have had Enforceable Undertakings accepted.

A Financial Regulatory Check may also cover whether a person or organisation holds a license where this license is a requirement of their role within the BFSI environment, e.g. Auditors, Liquidators, Authorised Representatives, Financial Planners etc. Availability and access to these checks vary per country.

Would you like to learn more about our Financial Investigations services? Get in touch and let us know how we can help! Or visit us here!

What is a Bankruptcy Check?

Confirms if an individual (including aliases and associated parties) has been declared bankrupt and recorded with the relevant body. This information is relevant to individuals holding positions of management responsibility and certain financial roles.

What about Directorships & Significant Shareholdings Search?

This search identifies potential conflicts of interest that can arise from an individual’s current and past directorships and their significant shareholdings. An individual’s performance as a Director can provide critical insight into their skills and experience. This search can highlight whether any of the companies they have been a director of have had an administrator appointed or deregistered.

What Type of Educational Qualifications can You Check?

Specific educational qualifications are required for many positions of responsibility, and salary packages are set accordingly. Failing to verify this information can result in unqualified people in positions in which they cannot perform their responsibilities.

CRI Group™ verifies the institution attended, the date of attendance, the qualification awarded and the graduation dates. CRI Group™ also verifies that the institution is an accredited provider from approved government databases. Suppose the institution does not appear on an accredited database. In that case, CRI Group™ will also check the institution’s name against a comprehensive list of unaccredited institutions to ensure that the institution is not a known degree mill.

What about Professional Qualifications & Membership Checks?

Specific professional qualifications and memberships are key requirements for many roles. CRI Group’s researchers will verify the type of professional qualification and/or membership received, the status of the membership (i.e. Valid or lapsed), attendance dates and graduation dates where applicable.

National Police Check?

CRI Group’s Police Record Check will reveal details of criminal records in line with the relevant legislation.

Can I Have Access to a Criminal Watch List?

Where CRI Group™ cannot conduct a recognised police record check due to either legal restrictions or simply the lack of such a database, we can offer the “next best alternative.” These searches review proprietary databases and criminal watch lists issued by various governments to identify known individuals. We combine this check with an extensive media search which provides a high degree of confidence that the individual has not been involved in high-level criminal activity.

Anti Money Laundering Check?

This check assists in identifying the risks associated with individuals due to specific or general involvement with Money Laundering (AML), Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), terrorists and wanted criminals. It achieves this by detailing the relationship network between these individuals and various other entities.

The check provides an international due diligence report utilising up-to-the-day investigative information from an extensive range of available public domain information sources. It uses government, intelligence and police sites, global organisations, international and national media and all international sanctions lists. Would you like to learn more? Get in touch and let us know how we can help!

Credit & Civil Litigation Check

Access, availability, and information released vary across nations. In general:

• Civil litigation: Checks and researches public and private legal disputes on civil matters or through the courts. In other words, civil litigation refers to that branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organisations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be a civil litigation case.
• Credit check: Researches credit bureau for adverse financial judgments for debts and negative credit ratings where available, while a local agent will undertake alternative resources as per jurisdiction to ascertain the financial creditworthiness of the subject in question, which will include media checks, reputational and source comments from Central Bank resources where available.

Can you Conduct FACIS (Fraud & Abuse Control Information System) Searches?

Yes, we can; we conduct three levels of searches:

• FACIS Level 1 — A current and historical database of sanctions, exclusions, debarments and disciplinary actions for all provider types: federal sanctions
• FACIS Level 2 — A current and historical database of sanctions, exclusions, debarments and disciplinary actions for all provider types: federal and state healthcare entitlement programme sanctions
• FACIS Level 3 — A current and historical database of sanctions, exclusions, debarments and disciplinary actions for all provider types: federal and state sanctions

I AM LOOKING FOR UK SCREENING!

The UK Screening Module covers:

• Identity Check: An independent check to authenticate an individual’s identity using various sources of stated data.
• Regulated Employment History & References: Regulated employment references to confirm previous employment details.
• Academic Qualifications: Confirmation of highest academic qualification, including details of institution and dates attended.
• Professional Qualifications: Confirmation of latest or most relevant Professional or Trade Memberships.
• FSA Register Search against the UK Financial Services Authority Individual Register and Prohibited Persons Register
• UK Credit Check Check to determine the general credit worthiness of the candidate.
• Directorship Search: Search for UK Directorships and any disqualifications.
• Negative Media Search: Search of press and other media focusing on derogatory information only.
• Compliance Database Check: Search for inclusion in governmental sanctions, enforcements, watchlists, blacklists and criminality.
• Criminal Record Checks — Standard Disclosure: A check of all convictions held on the PNC.

More details on the UK Screening Module can be had here.

A business must understand its exposure when hiring and type of insurance coverage and limits – does your policy cover a negligent hiring lawsuit? The checks are critical to any company’s success – hiring qualified, honest, and hard-working employees is an integral part of thriving in the business community.

DOWNLOAD THE EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND SCREENING FAQs HERE

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CRI Group™ Announces Webinars on Key Aspects of Due Diligence Investigations

The CRI Group™ is hosting a series of webinars on Due Diligence Investigations. The insightful webinars will help you go deep into crucial aspects of Due Diligence Investigations with lessons learned by industry leaders in various areas of business and best practices that you should adopt.

Details:

Webinar 1: Web-based or On-site Due Diligence Investigation: When and Why Do You Need it? And Who’s Going to Need it?

• Duration: 1h 15 min (1h sharing followed by 15 min Q&A)
• Date: 15 September 2022, Thu
• Time: 11.00am – 12.15pm UAE
• Speaker: Ashelea + Kevin (TBC)
• Format: Webinar
• Platform: MS Teams

Learning points:

• Web-based or on-site, or both? Which methods provide robust validity and trust to the information being investigated?
• How is a web-based due diligence investigation conducted?
• How is an on-site due diligence investigation conducted?
• How extensive does the due diligence investigation be with the web-based and on-site?
• When is a web-based due diligence investigation adequately required? And who will need it?
• When is on-site due diligence investigation adequately required? And who will need it?
• When are both web-based and on-site due diligence investigations required? And who will need it?
• What are the types of due diligence investigation offered on the current market
• Current Laws and Legislation around the world that are mandating businesses to conduct due diligence investigations

REGISTER NOW

Webinar 2: The A-Z on How the Examiner Conducts Adequate Due Diligence Investigation

• Duration: 1h 15 min (1h sharing followed by 15 min Q&A)
• Date: TBC
• Time: 11.00am – 12.15pm UAE
• Speaker: Ashelea Arzadon
• Format: Webinar

The first webinar will be on “The A-Z on how the examiner conducts due diligence investigation” while the topic for the second webinar/podcast is “Web-based or On-site due diligence investigation. When and why do you need it? And who’s going to need it?” 

The webinars will be addressed by CRI Group experts and will be of one-hour duration followed by a 15 minutes Q&A session. The dates for these webinars will be confirmed shortly. It is recommended that you register your interest here so that you are kept updated on the webinars.

Our Speaker

Ashelea is the Investigations Manager, leading the due diligence, C-level background screening, insurance claim and corporate investigations for multinational clients across various key industry sectors: public relations and advertising agencies of global brands, international law firms, aerospace and defence, and nuclear and energy companies. Her work includes multi-jurisdictional investigations in MENA, Europe and the Americas.

Before joining CRI Group™, she leveraged her knowledge of international law and politics as part of diplomatic and consular practices after working with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. She graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a major in Diplomacy – and currently pursuing her master’s in Corruption and Governance at the University of Sussex. She became a Certified Fraud Examiner in 2018.

Due Diligence Investigations: Mitigate Critical Risks

At CRI™, we provide due diligence services where ever you are. Use our DueDiligence360™ reports to help you comply with anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, and anti-corruption regulations ahead of a merger, acquisition, or joint venture. You can also use them for third-party risk assessment, onboarding decision-making, and identifying beneficial ownership structures.

Due Diligence helps you Identify key risk issues clearly and concisely using accurate information in a well-structured and transparent report format. Our comprehensive range of reports includes specialised reports that support specific compliance requirements. Protect your reputation and the risk of financial damage and regulator action using our detailed reports. They enhance your knowledge and understanding of the customer, supplier, and third-party risk, helping you avoid those involved with financial crime. 

The CRI Group™ invites you to schedule a quick appointment with them to discuss in more detail how conducting due diligence and compliance can help you and your organisation.

Based in London, CRI Group™ works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, 

We have the largest proprietary network of background-screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI Group™ also holds BS 102000:2013 and BS 7858:2012 Certifications, is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

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