DBT and OTSI update guidance on reporting suspected trade sanctions breaches
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) have updated their guidance on reporting suspected breaches of trade sanctions. A new section, ‘Whistleblowing for trade sanctions’, has been added, which states that from 26 June 2025, individuals will be able to make whistleblowing disclosures to OTSI about persons or businesses they suspect of breaching trade sanctions implemented and enforced by OTSI. These updates follow the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order 2025, SI 2025/604, laid before Parliament on 21 May 2025. The Order is made to amend the Schedule to the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2014, SI 2014/2418, by updating the list of prescribed persons and matters that whistleblowers can disclose as part of a protected disclosure.