Lahjontariskit

Lahjontariskit is a term used in corporate compliance and risk management in Finland to denote the risk that individuals within an organization or those acting on its behalf may offer, solicit, or accept improper benefits in exchange for preferential treatment. The concept covers bribery, facilitation payments, and other inappropriate incentives and is typically considered within broader anti-corruption and integrity programs.

Etymology: The word is formed from lahjonta, bribery, and riskit, risks in Finnish; used in official risk assessments and training materials.

Common sources include interactions with suppliers and agents, dealings with the public sector, sales and marketing practices, gifts, travel and hospitality, sponsorships, political contributions, and the use of intermediaries. Complexity of contracts, cross-border operations, and weak third-party due diligence elevate risk.

Assessment methods: risk identification, likelihood and impact scoring, control effectiveness evaluation, and monitoring. Indicators include unusual gift sizes, inconsistent recordkeeping, lack of due diligence on intermediaries, and inadequate separation of duties.

Mitigation: develop and enforce an anti-bribery policy, perform due diligence on third parties, implement contractual clauses with anti-bribery commitments, provide training, establish confidential reporting channels, conduct audits, and ensure board oversight.

Context: Lahjontariskit align with international anti-corruption standards such as OECD guidelines and the UN Convention against Corruption, and are particularly relevant for operations within the EU and Finland. Related topics include corruption, bribery, compliance risk, due diligence, and anti-corruption law.