Sweden’s Whistleblower Protection Programs Under Scrutiny Amid Growing EU Implementation

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As the European Whistleblower Protection Directive reaches its implementation deadline for EU Member States, Sweden finds itself in a critical moment for whistleblower protection programs. Since December 2021, when the directive was transposed into Swedish law, organizations with more than 50 employees have been required to establish a safe and secure way for employees to report potential breaches of laws and misconduct.

The Directive’s Aim

The European Whistleblower Protection Directive aims to provide a minimum framework for whistleblowers to come forward without fear of retaliation. With an implementation window period until December 2023 for smaller organizations, Sweden is expected to see a significant increase in companies, municipalities, and public authorities complying with the directive’s requirements.

Organizations Under Pressure

In particular, organizations within the financial sector are under added pressure due to the risks associated with money laundering and terrorism financing. This necessitates the establishment of whistleblower reporting mechanisms regardless of size. The KPMG Whistleblower Channel is a comprehensive solution that includes:

Implementation of the reporting channel
Triage and handling of cases
Initial assessment of incoming reports with relevant advice on next steps

KPMG’s Support for Clients

To support clients in meeting these new requirements, KPMG Sweden offers a range of services to ensure compliance, including:

End-to-end whistleblowing solution
Intake unit equipped with local expertise
Qualified investigators
Global support for any stage of the whistleblowing process

Implementation Progress

According to recent reports, slightly more than a third of EU countries have fully implemented the directive as of December 2022. As Sweden continues its own implementation journey, it remains to be seen how effectively these new whistleblower protection programs will safeguard employee rights while promoting transparency and accountability within organizations.

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