The EU applies sanctions to implement UN Security Council Resolutions or to further the objectives of the CFSP, namely

• promoting international peace and security
• preventing conflicts
• supporting democracy, the rule of law and human rights and
• defending the principles of international law

EU sanctions may target governments of non-EU countries, as well as companies, groups, organisations, or individuals through the following measures

• arms embargoes
• restrictions on admission (travel bans)
• asset freezes
• other economic measures such as restrictions on imports and exports

EU sanctions are carefully targeted, and designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. As such, they are aimed at those responsible for the policies or actions the EU wants to influence, while reducing as much as possible any unintended consequences.

While EU sanctions inherently have an effect in non-EU countries, as they are a foreign policy tool, the measures apply only within EU jurisdiction. In other words, the obligations they impose are binding on EU nationals or persons located in the EU or doing business here.

The task of conducting investigations into potential non-compliance cases falls to the Member States and their national competent authorities. Member States must have in place effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, and enforce them when EU sanctions are breached.

Role of the European Commission

The Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA) prepares proposals for Regulations on sanctions for adoption by the Council of the European Union, and represents the European Commission in sanctions-related discussions with Member States at the Council Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors. DG FISMA is also responsible for transposing into EU law certain United Nations sanctions.

DG FISMA is also in charge of monitoring, on behalf of the European Commission, the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions across Member States. DG FISMA is increasingly supporting Member States in their efforts to apply sanctions, by answering questions of interpretation raised by national competent authorities, as well as economic and humanitarian operators.

DG FISMA is dedicating increasing efforts to strengthening the application of EU sanctions even further, and to enhancing the resilience of the EU to extra-territorial sanctions adopted by third countries (see also the EU Blocking Statute). This is reflected in the mission letter of Commissioner Mairead McGuinness in the Commission’s Work Programme 2020 and in the Commission Communication of 19 January 2021: “The European economic and financial system: fostering openness, strength and resilience”.

Role of national competent authorities for sanctions

Member States are responsible for the implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions, as well as identifying breaches and imposing penalties. The Commission monitors the correct and uniform implementation of EU sanctions and provides guidance to Member States.

The contact details of the relevant competent authorities of the Member States can be found in the document below.