PEP screening guide
PEP screening with public-role context.
By Streak Technologies LTD · Updated
Politically exposed person screening helps identify people whose public functions may be relevant to a due-diligence review. A PEP result is distinct from a sanctions listing and does not, by itself, indicate wrongdoing.
Keep PEP and sanctions classifications separate
FATF describes PEP controls as preventive and explains that PEP status should not be interpreted as evidence of criminal involvement. The applicable definition and response depend on the relevant framework and your organization’s policy. Read the FATF PEP guidance.
Sancticheck displays classifications supplied by its sources. A profile can contain PEP information without a sanctions classification. Read each source and the supporting identity information before interpreting what the result means.
Review roles, dates and identity details
Begin by checking whether the profile refers to the person you are reviewing. Compare full names, aliases, dates and other identifiers. Then inspect the public role, available term dates and source references. Missing dates do not establish that a role is current, and a similar name does not establish identity.
Understand the dataset boundaries
The application supports a Wikidata public-officeholder PEP integration and PEP information from configured additional datasets. Coverage depends on available source records, enabled providers and licensing. Public-office data is not a complete global PEP register or a legal determination under every jurisdiction’s rules.
Reviewers should consider current and former roles, relevant relationships and their policy’s required follow-up. Information about an association is not, on its own, a finding that a person is sanctioned. Check the source-coverage overview.
Build the review into your workflow
- Confirm the subject’s identity before interpreting political exposure.
- Record the role and source information that prompted the review.
- Check whether the available dates and context are sufficient.
- Follow your policy for enhanced review, approval and retention of evidence.
- Keep the PEP assessment separate from any sanctions assessment.
See Sancticheck in your compliance workflow
Talk to Streak Technologies, the company that develops Sancticheck, about screening data, team access and integration requirements.