As companies struggle to deal with compliance issues in the expanding global markets, they can no longer rely solely on automated compliance. Today compliance should also be intelligent.
What is intelligent compliance?
A company’s third parties need different information and processes depending on where they are and what they do. A supplier in China needs different information and compliance measures than a reseller in California. A high level of compliance needs to be maintained for both, but a sophisticated compliance program will recognize and adjust for these differences.
An automated process of onboarding does not necessarily mean your third parties are getting what they need, especially if you are aiming for the compliance standards described in the Hallmarks of Effective Compliance Programs set out in the DOJ-SEC Guidance.
The process needs to be automated but also intelligent. Fortunately the two aren’t mutually exclusive.
An intelligent process means each third party has access to the relevant information it needs according to its location, industry, and function. This risk-based approach has guided due diligence for some time, with appropriate risk rating and ranking methodology.
Now, these sophisticated systems applied to third parties are becoming a requirement for an effective compliance program.
When automation and intelligence come together, compliance can be pushed out to entire supply chains in a time-saving and cost-effective way while raising the bar on compliance coverage.
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Harry Cassin is in charge of product development for ethiXbase Pte Ltd. He can be contacted here.
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