GRC Report Staff

Australian Energy Retailer Faces Penalties Over Long-Running Failures

Alinta Energy has paid $718,740 ($1,089,000 AUD) in penalties after the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) issued a record 15 infringement notices over alleged mishandling of Centrepay deductions and failures to refund and notify customers within the required timeframe.

Financial Reporting Council Issues Standard to Build Confidence in Sustainability Disclosures

The UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has issued a new sustainability assurance standard, International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (UK) 5000 or ISSA (UK) 5000, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push for more credible, high-quality sustainability reporting.

Avida Finans Fined Over Consumer Credit Shortcomings

Sweden’s financial watchdog (Finansinspektionen) has reprimanded Avida Finans and fined the lender USD 1.8 million (SEK 20 million) after discovering gaps in its consumer credit practices.

UK Tightens Cyber Defenses with New Bill Targeting Critical Infrastructure & Supply Chains

After a bruising year of cyber incidents that exposed the fragility of the UK’s digital defenses, the government has presented its long-awaited Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to Parliament, a huge step intended to move the country from guidance to enforcement in its approach to cyber risk.

ECB Moves From Expectation to Enforcement in ABANCA Climate Risk Case

The European Central Bank has ordered Spanish lender ABANCA to pay €187,650 after the bank failed to complete a required assessment of its climate-related and environmental risks within the deadline set by supervisors.

Portugal’s Insurance & Pension Supervisor Advances Anti-Corruption Framework

Portugal’s Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF) has approved its updated Corruption and Related Offenses Risk Prevention Plan for 2025, the latest step in the agency’s effort to strengthen internal governance and reinforce public confidence in the supervision of Portugal’s insurance and pension fund sectors.

AVZ Minerals & Directors Sued Over Alleged Disclosure Failures

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched Federal Court proceedings against suspended Western Australia–based mineral exploration company AVZ Minerals Limited and two of its directors, alleging failures to disclose critical information relating to a major lithium project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).