Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020 Guidance
Summary
The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has updated its guidance on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. The latest update from March 2026 clarifies technical changes related to the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024, aiming to improve intelligence gathering, enforcement powers, and licensing efficiency.
What changed
The UK's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has issued updated guidance for the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. The most recent update, dated March 12, 2026, incorporates technical changes stemming from the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024. These amendments are intended to enhance OFSI's capabilities in gathering compliance intelligence, strengthen enforcement powers, streamline licensing processes, and clarify existing financial sanctions legislation.
Regulated entities, particularly those involved in financial transactions, should review the updated guidance to ensure continued compliance with the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. While the March 2026 update focuses on technical clarifications and usability improvements, previous updates have introduced guidance on director disqualification legislation and broader technical changes. Compliance officers should familiarize themselves with the full scope of the regulations and the latest guidance to mitigate risks associated with sanctions violations.
What to do next
- Review updated guidance on Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020
- Ensure compliance with prohibitions and requirements outlined in the regulations
- Consult related guidance from HM Treasury and Home Office
Source document (simplified)
Statutory guidance
Global human rights sanctions: guidance
Guidance on the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020
From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation Published 6 July 2020 Last updated 12 March 2026
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Global human rights sanctions: statutory guidance
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Details
This guidance assists people in implementing and complying with the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations 2020. It covers the prohibitions and requirements imposed by the regulations. It also provides guidance on best practice for:
- complying with the prohibitions and requirements
- enforcing them
- circumstances where they do not apply This guidance should be read alongside more detailed sanctions guidance published by departments including the Home Office and HM Treasury, through the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).
Updates to this page
Published 6 July 2020 Last updated 12 March 2026 show all updates
1.
12 March 2026
Page has been updated for better clarity and usability. No material changes to text.
2.
7 March 2025
Page navigation has been updated for better usability. No material changes to text.
3.
5 December 2024
These changes reflect the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) Regulations 2024 and taken together make a range of technical changes with the purpose of improving OFSI’s ability to gather intelligence on industry’s compliance with financial sanctions, strengthen OFSI’s enforcement powers, enable OFSI to conduct its licensing responsibilities more efficiently, and clarify financial sanctions legislation where there is existing uncertainty.
4.
9 July 2024
Amended to include guidance on director disqualification legislation.
5.
6 July 2020
First published.
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