Compliance & Ethics

Italian Watchdog Fines Armani & Shein for Misleading Sustainability Claims

Two of the fashion world’s biggest names (Giorgio Armani and Shein) have just been pulled off the sustainability pedestal by Italy’s competition watchdog. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has fined both companies for painting an ethical and eco-friendly picture that didn’t quite match reality. The charges? Misleading consumers through glossy green claims and hollow promises on worker protections.

Barents Slapped with £1.78 Million Fine as PRA Sends a Message on ‘Responsible Openness’

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has issued a £1,785,000 fine against Barents Reinsurance S.A., London Branch, marking the first time it has sanctioned a reinsurer-only firm for significant internal control, governance, and regulatory reporting failures. The fine underscores the PRA’s heightened expectations for firms operating under the post-Brexit regulatory framework, particularly those falling under the UK’s Temporary Permissions Regime (TPR).

Cadence to Pay Over $140 Million & Plead Guilty in Export Control Case Tied to Chinese Military University

Cadence Design Systems, a California-based multinational semiconductor software firm, has agreed to plead guilty and pay more than $140 million in combined criminal and civil penalties after unlawfully exporting sensitive U.S. design tools to a Chinese military university, U.S. officials announced Monday.

Anglian Water Faces £62.8M Enforcement Package Over Wastewater Failures as Ofwat Cracks Down on Sewage Mismanagement

Anglian Water has been hit with a proposed £62.8 million ($81 million USD) enforcement package after Ofwat found the company had breached legal obligations in managing its wastewater treatment works and sewerage network.

EBA Flags Rising AML Risks as FinTech & AI Outrun Oversight

Innovation may be reshaping the financial sector but not always for the better. That’s the message coming through loud and clear in the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) latest biennial Opinion on money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) risks.

Webjet Fined $6.1 Million Over Misleading Flight Prices & Booking Confirmations

Online travel agency Webjet has been ordered to pay $6.1 million (AU$9 million) in penalties by the Federal Court after admitting to misleading consumers about flight prices and booking confirmations, following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Grosfillex Pays $4.9 Million for Dodging Aluminum Duties as U.S. Cracks Down on Trade Compliance

As trade enforcement intensifies across the U.S., patio furniture company Grosfillex Inc. has agreed to pay $4.9 million to settle allegations it evaded antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on aluminum components imported from China. The Justice Department announced the False Claims Act settlement Thursday, marking the second significant trade-related case in as many days.