August 2026
Issued by the Sanctions Monitoring Board in terms of the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act Chapter 653 of the Laws of Malta
Effective sanctions compliance is about more than having policies and procedures in place. It is about ensuring that an organisation understands its sanctions risks and has appropriate controls in place to manage them.
The Sanctions Monitoring Board is issuing guidance to help operators better understand the requirements of Article 32 of the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act and the Board’s expectations in relation to sanctions compliance. The guidance provides practical direction on key areas such as governance, risk assessments, screening measures, escalation procedures, record keeping and reporting obligations.
As sanctions regimes continue to evolve, operators should regularly review their compliance frameworks to ensure that their controls remain effective and proportionate to the nature, size and risk profile of their business. What is appropriate for one organisation may not necessarily be appropriate for another.
This publication is intended to serve as a practical reference point for operators and assess whether their existing controls are capable of identifying, managing and mitigating sanctions risks in a meaningful and effective manner.
Whether you are reviewing your current framework or building upon existing controls, this guidance will help you understand what the Board expects and how those expectations can be translated into practice.