This document sets out the Sanctions Civil Enforcement Authority’s (“SCEA”) guidelines for businesses and organisations that need to understand more about what sanctions are and how they work.

Sanctions are non-military measures taken by governments and international organisations, which are aimed at preventing terrorism, combatting the development of illegal weapons and armed conflicts and limiting access to money and technology which threaten regional or global stability.

They help promote respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance in the interests of international peace and security.

This document sets out the Sanctions Civil Enforcement Authority’s (“SCEA”) guidelines regarding its enforcement powers under section 51A to 51C of the Sanctions Act 2019.

The SCEA’s investigatory procedures include issuing warnings, making references to professional bodies, regulators and law enforcement agencies, publishing reports of cases and imposing monetary penalties. These are set out in the Sanctions Civil Enforcement Regulations 2026.

In terms of monetary penalties, these should incentivise compliance with the SCEA’s investigatory powers and deter future failures to comply, while not being disproportionate or excessive in all the circumstances of the case.