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What is the General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption
What is the General Scheme for
the Prevention of Corruption
The General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption establishes the criteria and measures to be followed by public and private organisations in Portugal. Its purpose is to prevent, detect and penalise corrupt practices, promoting an ethical and transparent culture in the various sectors of society. Guided by ethical and legal principles, this regime aims to create an environment where integrity prevails, strengthening the foundations of a fair and just society.
Fundamental Principles of the General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption
Fundamental Principles of the General Scheme
for the Prevention of Corruption
Transparency and accountability
Transparency is crucial to mitigate corruption scenarios. The General Scheme serves as an active mediator in the open disclosure of information, making organisational practices accessible and understandable to the entire structure and society. The disclosure of information is the guarantee that any activities are subject to the necessary scrutiny, creating an increased sensitivity to potential cases of corruption.
Ethics and integrity
Ethics strengthens any organisational structure. The General Scheme emphasises its importance as a powerful element in the fight against corruption. Together with integrity, these are more than formal requirements. They are fundamental principles to be incorporated into the DNA of every company, resulting in an environment resistant to corruption.
Efficient resource management
The efficient management of resources is a crucial practice against corruption. The General Scheme encourages practices that optimise the use of resources, minimising opportunities for embezzlement or manipulation. Responsible management contributes, not only to integrity, but also to the sustainability of the entire company.
Active prevention
Efforts to prevent corruption are an ongoing journey. The General Scheme highlights the importance of preventive strategies, including constant training, regular risk assessments and adapting to changes in the organisational and legislative environment.
Responsibilities and duties under the General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption
Responsibilities and duties under the General
Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption
Responsibilities of organisations
Promoting a culture of integrity
Encouraging the adoption of ethical values as a key part of company culture.
Implementing preventive measures
Develop and implement policies and procedures designed to actively prevent corruption.
Appointment of officials
Elect employees or teams responsible for the implementation and ongoing monitoring of the General Scheme.
Individual Responsibilities
Compliance with internal policy
Strictly comply with the developed and implemented anti-corruption policies outlined by the company.
Reporting suspicious practices
Encouraging the reporting of suspicious corrupt practices through appropriate and secure channels.
Ongoing training
Providing regular training programmes on ethics, integrity and anti-corruption practices in the business environment.
Legal duties to prevent corruption
Compliance with anti-corruption legislation
Companies must respect and fully comply with the anti-corruption laws in force, among other specific regulations that may be required depending on their activity.
Carrying out regular audits
Carrying out internal audits on a systematic basis guarantees compliance with standards and enables the timely detection of possible sources of deviations from the normal functioning of the operation that could constitute non-compliance.
Transparent disclosure of financial information
Making financial information available in a transparent and accurate manner promotes clarity in transactions and objectivity in the management of the resources available in the structure.
Implementation of the General Schemefor the Prevention of Corruption in companies
Implementation of the General Schemefor
the Prevention of Corruption in companies
Leadership commitment
The leadership takes a pioneering role in making a clear commitment to the prevention of corruption, showcasing the importance of the General Scheme as an integral part of the company's structural values.
Risk assessment
The systematic identification and assessment of potential corruption risks takes the organisation into a preventive perspective, capable of providing detailed analyses of the business's exposure to risk.
Developing anti-corruption practices
The development of comprehensive policies in identified risk areas followed by their corresponding dissemination ensures the commitment of the entire structure to the fulfilment of a common goal.
Training and awareness-raising
Only continuous training on the General Scheme requires sensitisation of all teams and active adherence across the entire structure.
Complaint channels
The creation of secure and confidential channels for reporting suspicious practices encourages the proliferation of a culture of awareness-raising and monitoring.
Control and monitoring mechanisms
Control and
monitoring mechanisms
The effective implementation of the General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption requires efficient control and monitoring mechanisms, with entities responsible for its application and supervision.
Internal control
Regular audits
Systematic internal audits assess compliance with established policies.
Continuous monitoring
The implementation of continuous monitoring systems is crucial for proactively identifying deviations and suspicious behaviour.
External control
Government institutions
Government institutions such as the Inspectorate-General for Internal Administration (IGAI) and the Inspectorate-General for Finance (IGF) play a key role in monitoring and applying the General Scheme in organisations.
Sector regulators
In specific sectors, regulatory bodies such as the Competition Authority, the National Civil Aviation Authority, the Energy Services Regulatory Authority and others, are crucial for systematically assessing compliance with the sector's anti-corruption policies.
The importance of control and monitoring
Deterring corrupt behaviour
The presence of robust control mechanisms discourages corrupt practices, since the processes are duly scrutinised through constant monitoring.
Building trust
Effective supervision, not only guarantees compliance with the General Scheme, but also strengthens trust in the institutions, promoting an image of transparency and accountability.
Consequences of non-compliance with the General Scheme
Specific legal sanctions
In cases of non-compliance with the General Scheme for the Prevention of Corruption, organisations are subject to specific sanctions, with significant fines, suspension of activity or even legal action.
Individual accountability
Além das penalizações às entidades, a legislação também prevê responsabilização individual para aqueles que, por ação ou omissão, contribuíram ativamente numa não conformidade cujo resultado resulte numa prática corrupta.
Impact on corporate image
Non-compliance can have a significant impact on a company's image, resulting in a loss of trust on the part of customers, suppliers, investors and, in general, the community. The damage to reputation is often irreparable, with long-term consequences for the corporate image.