Council adopts new EU-wide law to combat corruption 10:55 New EU-wide rules set up a harmonised criminal law framework to prevent and fight corruption. Council of the EU

Today, the Council gave the final go-ahead to a new EU law that harmonises the definition of corruption across member states and establishes a common level of penalties to sanction such offences. With measures to prevent corruption and rules to strengthen investigation and prosecution, the law will reinforce the fight against corruption both in the public and private sector.

This new EU directive will replace two existing EU laws: one law from 2003 on corruption in the private sector, and an EU Convention from 1997 on corruption involving EU officials and officials of EU member states.

Harmonised definition of offences

The new rules ensure that key corruption offences are defined and treated in a similar way across the EU. These include bribery in the public and private sectors, misappropriation, trading in influence, obstruction of justice, enrichment from corruption offences, concealment and certain serious violations of unlawful exercise of public function.

Aligned penalties

Under the new EU rules, member states must provide for common minimum levels of penalties for corruption offences, ensuring that maximum penalties are not set too low. Offenders may face prison sentences ranging from three to five years in prison, depending on the offence. Companies will also face penalties, with fines ranging from 3% to 5% of their total worldwide turnover or from €24 to €40 million, depending on the offence.

Member states will also have to put in place specialised bodies to prevent corruption and to raise public awareness regarding corruption, creating a culture of integrity.

International standards

The EU is a party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which is the most comprehensive international legal instrument in this field. The directive will update the already existing EU legislative framework and incorporate international standards that are binding on the EU, such as those in the UNCAC.

Next steps

The directive enters into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member states will have 24 months to transpose the directive into national law. An exception applies to provisions on risk assessments and national strategies, for which the deadline is 36 months.

• Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on combatting corruption
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