Compliance – Legal compliance for companies

To meet the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies must take various technical and organizational measures. These measures include appointing a data protection officer, maintaining a record of processing activities, and implementing security measures to protect personal data. Additionally, companies must carry out data protection impact assessments if their data processing poses a high risk to data subjects. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance will support you in developing a legally compliant data protection strategy and help you adapt to new regulatory requirements.

Using AI in companies presents unique challenges, particularly with regard to complying with data protection regulations, such as the AI Act. Companies must ensure the traceability of AI-supported systems. Additionally, strict requirements apply to data processing, particularly when sensitive personal data is processed using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek. Violations of data protection regulations can result in heavy penalties. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can advise you on regulatory requirements and help you develop legally compliant AI strategies.

According to European law, companies with at least twenty employees who process personal data on a permanent and automated basis are required to appoint a data protection officer. It may also be necessary to appoint a data protection officer if particularly sensitive data is processed, for example. A data protection officer monitors compliance with data protection regulations, trains employees, and serves as a contact person for supervisory authorities and data subjects. They also advise the company on data protection issues and help identify risks early on. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help you implement effective data protection management.

To ensure the security of personal data, companies must take various measures. These measures include encrypting sensitive data, using secure authentication methods, and conducting regular security audits. Raising awareness and training employees are also crucial in preventing data breaches. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance will work with you to develop customized security concepts and support you in implementing the appropriate protective measures.

The transfer of personal data to countries outside the EU is subject to strict requirements. Companies must ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to guarantee a comparable level of data protection. These safeguards may include standard contractual clauses or binding corporate rules. Additionally, information and documentation requirements must be observed. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance provide comprehensive advice on secure, legally compliant international data transfers.

Employers are required to ensure the health and safety of their employees. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing safe work equipment, and offering regular training. Additionally, occupational health and safety measures must be continuously reviewed and adapted to new circumstances. Violations of occupational health and safety regulations can lead to significant liability risks and fines. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance and labor law can help you develop a legally compliant occupational health and safety strategy.

A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying potential workplace hazards and developing appropriate protective measures. The process involves several steps: identifying hazards, assessing risks, defining and implementing measures, and reviewing these measures. Employers must update the risk assessment regularly. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help you prepare a document assessing occupational risks, known as a DUERP in France, to ensure compliance with legal obligations.

In Germany and France, all companies, regardless of size, must organize occupational health examinations in accordance with national regulations, even if they have only one employee. A company doctor may be a permanent employee or an external contractor. The company doctor supports the employer in matters of occupational safety and accident prevention, conducts health examinations, and advises on workplace health promotion. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance and labor law can help you determine your specific occupational medicine obligations and assist you in meeting legal requirements.

Yes, occupational safety covers both physical and mental stress. Employers must take measures to eliminate or minimize stress, overloads, and other mental health risks, such as bullying. This includes considering mental health risks in the risk assessment. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance and labor law can advise you on implementing effective measures to protect mental health.

Since occupational health and safety regulations vary from country to country, subsidiaries must comply with national regulations. However, certain group-wide minimum standards remain relevant for international locations. Employers should ensure that their foreign subsidiaries comply with local laws and international best practices in occupational health and safety. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance and labor law can help you implement occupational health and safety standards for international corporate groups in a legally compliant manner.

Important measures include identifying contractual partners, documenting transactions, and performing internal controls. Companies should also conduct individual risk assessments. Depending on the circumstances, it may also be necessary to appoint a money laundering officer and provide regular internal or external training for employees. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help develop a customized prevention system.

In certain cases, companies must identify and verify the beneficial owners of their customers and business partners. Compliance with due diligence obligations depends on the respective risk profile. This includes ongoing monitoring of business relationships. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help you implement these obligations in a legally compliant manner.

Any suspicious cases must be reported immediately to the relevant Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). Companies may not continue carrying out suspicious transactions before receiving a response from the FIU. Therefore, a documented internal reporting chain is essential. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help design efficient reporting processes.

Such a program includes a risk analysis, internal guidelines, employee training, and control mechanisms, among other things. Establishing a whistleblower system is also recommended. These measures should be reviewed and updated regularly. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance develop programs that meet your industry’s requirements.

This is achieved through careful selection of business partners, transparent payment processes, and ongoing monitoring. Training helps identify suspicious patterns early on. Companies should also define clear responsibilities. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance advise on minimizing risk through effective prevention strategies.

Both the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz – LkSG) and the French “Loi de vigilance” require companies to comply with human rights and environmental due diligence obligations. The EU Supply Chain Directive could impose additional rules. Recently, calls for less bureaucracy have grown louder, leading to a number of changes, suspensions, and postponements. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can clarify which rules apply to your company and help you develop a supply chain monitoring concept.

Companies must identify and minimize human rights and environmental risks in their business processes and supply chains. Depending on the nature, scope, and risk potential of their activities, these due diligence obligations apply to companies of all sizes. Subsidiaries or business units of companies that operate internationally may also be affected. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance determine the relevance of due diligence obligations and advise on the implementation of appropriate, legally compliant measures.

Due diligence obligations require monitoring of human rights risks, such as forced labor, child labor, discrimination, and unfair working conditions. Additionally, environmental aspects, such as the handling of hazardous substances, resource consumption, and emissions, must be considered. Indirect suppliers may also need to be included. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can help you identify relevant risk areas and establish effective control and prevention measures.

Violations can result in hefty fines and reputational damage. Companies may also be excluded from public contracts. Depending on the legal situation, civil lawsuits are also possible. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can advise you on risk minimization and legal protection.

Structured risk analysis processes, clear responsibilities, and regular training are necessary. Companies must document their measures, prepare reports, and meet deadlines. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance develop practical, individualized solutions for these purposes.

Appropriate legal and organizational measures must be taken to protect whistleblowers from discrimination and reprisals. This includes the confidential treatment and careful processing of reports. Protecting the whistleblower’s identity is an essential component of modern compliance systems. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance help set up processes that protect whistleblowers and are legally compliant.

Whether a company is required to implement a whistleblower system depends on various factors, including its size, industry, and business activities. In many jurisdictions, both private and public organizations are required to establish internal reporting offices. This may also apply to international companies and their subsidiaries. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance will review the legal requirements and develop a suitable system for your company.

Depending on the legal situation, whistleblowers may contact either internal reporting offices within the company or external offices at relevant authorities. Companies must provide clear, accessible, and secure channels for internal reporting. In most cases, it is advisable to offer the option of anonymous communication. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance can support you in selecting and implementing suitable internal and external reporting channels.

An effective whistleblower system must guarantee confidentiality and data protection. It should establish clear responsibilities, transparent processes, and secure communication. Employee training and integration into existing compliance structures are also key to success. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance develop customized systems that meet both regulatory requirements and internal company needs.

Inadequate protection can result in legal sanctions, financial losses, and a substantial loss of trust. Companies also risk abuses remaining undetected or becoming public. The absence of a whistleblower system may also be considered a structural compliance deficit. Our lawyers specializing in legal compliance help identify risks early on and take appropriate legal action.