What is the EU Whistleblower Directive?
The
EU Whistleblower Directive is a legal act enacted by the European Union that aims at enhancing the protection of whistleblowers. It was adopted on the 23rd of October 2019 to set a minimum standard for the protection of whistleblowers across the European Union (EU) member states and requires all EU member states to implement corresponding national legal frameworks.
Who is required to comply with the Directive?
All public and private companies based in the European Union with more than 50 employees and municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Who are whistleblowers?
Whistleblowers are individuals who report wrongdoing or violation of EU law. They can be among others employees, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, volunteers, or even job applicants.
Which type of wrongdoing/misconduct can be reported?
Whistleblowers can report a wide range of issues in several areas, including but not limited to.
- Protection of privacy and personal data
- Consumer protection
- Violations of company policies and procedures
- Financial misconduct
- Money laundering and terrorist financing
- Fraud
- Network and information system security
- Harassment or discrimination
- Safety concerns (product safety and compliance, food and feed safety, transport safety)
- Public health or animal health and welfare concerns
- Environmental issues
Are reports confidential and safe?
Yes, our internal reporting system ensures that whistleblowers are able to report information confidentially and, anonymously, as they choose.
If whistleblowers choose to report confidentially, their identity will only be known to those inside the company responsible for handling the case.
Most importantly, reporting persons covered by the EU Whistleblower Directive are protected from any form of retaliation, including in the form of threats and attempts of retaliation.
Are there other options for me?
The Whistleblower Directive mandates that Member States provide an alternative external reporting channel for whistleblowers. It’s always preferable to use the internal reporting channels first, but be advised that there is always the option to escalate or move directly to such external reporting options.
What happens after I submit a report?
Once you submit a report, we will issue a case number internally and acknowledgment of receipt. We’re obligated to provide feedback within a reasonable timeframe, not exceeding three months from the acknowledgment of receipt.