While the possibility of Major Regulatory Overhaul (e.g., an SEC-CFTC merger), IFRS implementation, and XBRL have soaked up the majority of GRC newsprint in the past six months, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement efforts have quietly grown more aggressive.

The latest sign that FCPA compliance should be a top GRC priority for many companies came this summer when the SEC showed its willingness to dig into Brazilian regulatory matters while investigating Utah-based Nature’s Sunshine Products, a vitamin and supplement company.

Under the terms of the enforcement settlement, the former Nature’s Sunshine CFO will pay $25,000 (as will the company’s CEO, in addition to a $600,000 fine that will be paid by the NASDAQ-listed company).

For further FCPA reading:

• Here is the SEC’s press release on the Nature’s Sunshine Products enforcement action (with a link to the complaint);

• Here are some insights on the FCPA elements of the SEC vs. Nature’s settlement from law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; and

• Here is a blog that contains regularly updated news on all things FCPA. ###