To prevent and detect corruption, the Sapin 2 law established a new anti-corruption agency (AFA) provided with enhanced capacities and replacing the Service Central de Prévention de la Corruption. Operating under the authority of the French Minister of Justice and Minister of Budget, the new AFA has both investigative and supervisory or monitoring powers, as well as the power to impose administrative sanctions in relation to compliance programmes (an injunction to adapt the programme within a certain period of time, a maximum fine of €200,000 for individuals and €1 million for legal entities and the publication of the decision).The new institution will publish recommendations on prevention and detection of corruption for public and private actors, as well as a national plan for the prevention of corruption. It will also provide support to state administrations and local and regional authorities in preventing and assisting in the detection of corruption. In addition, it monitors compliance measures taken by large enterprises and has the power to impose sanctions.

The creation of a French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) by law in 2016 was a major landmark. Under the joint authority of the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Budget, the AFA is a nationwide service whose mission is to assist public and private actors in preventing and detecting corruption and related offenses. To this end, the AFA provides guidance to both private and public entities, and monitors the efficiency of anti-corruption compliance programs implemented by these entities. In January 2020, the AFA launched a National Multi-Year Anti-Corruption Plan, covering the period 2020-2022, built around four main priorities, including improving detection and international cooperation in anti-corruption efforts. In May 2020, in view of exploring new avenues for international cooperation, AFA and the NCPA Network have carried out, in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the OECD, a global mapping of anti-corruption authorities. Through an online survey, the project’s objective is to gather, centralize, and disseminate information about the various anti-corruption institutions established worldwide.

Updated: October 31, 2020

To prevent and detect corruption, the Sapin 2 law established a new anti-corruption agency (AFA) provided with enhanced capacities and replacing the Service Central de Prévention de la Corruption. Since june 2017, companies of specific sizes (over 500 employees with annual gross revenue exceeding €100 million) have to implement a compliance program (code of business ethics, compliance officer, risk assessment, training, whistleblowing systems, etc.). A new offense for non-compliance has also been created. Operating under the authority of the French Minister of Justice and Minister of Budget, the new AFA has both investigative and supervisory or monitoring powers, as well as the power to impose administrative sanctions in relation to compliance programmes (an injunction to adapt the programme within a certain period of time, a maximum fine of €200,000 for individuals and €1 million for legal entities and the publication of the decision).The new institution will publish recommendations on prevention and detection of corruption for public and private actors, as well as a national plan for the prevention of corruption. It will also provide support to state administrations and local and regional authorities in preventing and assisting in the detection of corruption. In addition, it monitors compliance measures taken by large enterprises and has the power to impose sanctions.Despite such progress, independence of the anti-corruption agency should be fully ensured to guarantee the credibility of this new anti-corruption system.