The global anti-corruption enforcement landscape is undergoing significant changes in 2025. A temporary pause in US enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) has created uncertainty, while European authorities have stepped up efforts to fill the gap with a new multinational anti-corruption taskforce. For compliance teams, these developments underscore the need for vigilance and adaptability beyond what regulations come and go.
A Pause in FCPA Enforcement
Recent changes in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement reflect a significant policy shift under the Trump administration. On 10 February, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order temporarily pausing FCPA enforcement for 180 days, with an option for extension. The order directs the Attorney General to halt new investigations unless exceptions are granted, review existing cases, and establish revised enforcement guidelines.
Additionally, Attorney General Pam Bondi's earlier memorandum refocused FCPA efforts on bribery linked to drug cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), deprioritising cases without such connections. While the statute remains intact, these changes have curtailed enforcement activity, prompting concerns about long-term compliance risks and potential shifts in international anti-corruption efforts
The International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce
In response to the US enforcement slowdown, European regulators have taken decisive action. In March 2025, the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF), and Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) announced the creation of the International Anti-Corruption Prosecutorial Taskforce. This coalition aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration in investigating and prosecuting corruption cases.
The taskforce is designed to streamline cooperation among member agencies through real-time intelligence sharing, joint investigative teams, and harmonised approaches to corporate settlements.
Why Was the Taskforce Created?
The creation of this taskforce reflects growing concerns about gaps in international anti-corruption oversight. With US enforcement temporarily scaled back, European regulators are stepping up to ensure that complex cross-border cases do not fall through the cracks. Formalising these partnerships through a taskforce allows for more efficient investigations and prosecutions moving forward.
Additionally, this initiative aligns with broader European priorities around transparency and accountability. The EU has been tightening anti-corruption regulations in recent years, including whistleblower protection laws and stricter requirements for third-party due diligence.
Implications for Companies Operating in Europe
For companies with operations in Europe, or those conducting business with European entities, the establishment of this taskforce signals heightened enforcement risks. European anti-bribery laws like the UK Bribery Act and France’s Sapin II already have extraterritorial reach, meaning they apply to companies outside Europe under certain circumstances.
The taskforce enhances regulators’ ability to investigate cases involving European subsidiaries, transactions processed through European banks, or companies listed on EU stock exchanges.
Compliance expectations are also increasing as regulators emphasise proactive measures such as robust third-party monitoring, whistleblower protections, and data-driven risk assessments. Companies operating within Europe must ensure that their compliance programs align with these evolving standards to avoid scrutiny from authorities.
Best Practices for Compliance Teams
Given these developments, compliance teams should think about managing these risks holistically, and proactively. While the regulatory landscape changes quickly, there are steps teams can take to ensure best practices are in place:
- Reassess Risk Exposure: Conduct a thorough review of your company’s operations in Europe, including subsidiaries, partners, and transactions that could fall under the jurisdiction of UK, French, or Swiss authorities. Pay particular attention to high-risk industries such as energy, pharmaceuticals, and construction.
- Strengthen Third-Party Due Diligence: Regulators are increasingly focused on third-party relationships as a source of corruption risk. Ensure that your company has robust processes for vetting vendors, distributors, and consultants operating in Europe.
- Monitor Regulatory Developments: Stay informed about new guidelines or directives issued by European authorities related to anti-corruption enforcement.
Looking Ahead
The temporary pause in US FCPA enforcement does not signal a retreat from global anti-corruption efforts—it represents a shift in focus that compliance teams must account for when managing risks across jurisdictions. Meanwhile, Europe’s new taskforce highlights its growing role in tackling corporate bribery and corruption.
For compliance professionals, these changes underscore the importance of maintaining robust programs that can withstand scrutiny from both US and European regulators. These changes emphasise the need for compliance programs that are not beholden to regulation-related requirements, instead can operate through best practices aligned to business goals.
By proactively addressing risks and aligning practices with emerging standards, companies can navigate this transitional period effectively while building trust with stakeholders worldwide.
Hannah Tichansky is the Content and Social Media Manager at GAN Integrity. Hannah holds over 13 years of writing and marketing experience, with 8 years of specialization in the risk management, supply chain, and ESG industries. Hannah holds an MA from Monmouth University and a Certificate in Product Marketing from Cornell University.