Daily Compliance Brief — UK Sanctions Listing and Reporting Expectations Update

February 9, 2026

Signal

Over the past 24 hours, updates to the UK sanctions framework were published, including the launch of regime-specific sanctions list pages that will replace the legacy consolidated list as the authoritative source for updates. This structural change aligns sanctions publication with regime categories, requiring obliged entities to adjust their screening references and update protocols.

In addition, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) expanded its Financial Sanctions Guidance with clarifications on reporting obligations when business is refused to a designated person. The updated guidance emphasises that the nature and depth of interactions, not just transaction completion, influence mandatory reporting responsibilities.

Why it matters

For compliance teams, the transition to regime-specific sanctions listing pages requires immediate review of sanctions screening sources, configurations, and reference logic to ensure comprehensive coverage of newly structured notifications. Static reliance on the old consolidated list increases the risk of missed designations.

The enhanced guidance on reporting expectations affects suspicious activity and sanctions reporting workflows, as firms must be able to demonstrate how interactions with designated persons were assessed, even where transactions did not settle. Compliance governance, escalation protocols, and training materials should be updated to reflect the expanded reporting criteria and mitigate supervisory exposure.