Compliance Transformation 2025+

The compliance function is undergoing fundamental change across all industries

Companies in the D-A-CH region are confronted with a multitude of new challenges such as geopolitical crises and wars, pandemics, inflation, and economic instability. The dynamics of regulatory requirements. The highly dynamic regulatory environment presents another major challenge. The question remains as to how the compliance function is reacting to this polycrisis and anticipating future challenges. Within our study on compliance transformation, we address questions like these and others.

In this study, we examine the compliance transformation based on seven characteristics. The starting point in the expended area of responsibility of the Compliance Officers: as manager of a broad and dynamic portfolio of topics, Compliance Officer is becoming a portfolio manager who is involved in the core processes of the value chain, especially to manage newly emerging topics. Compliance is developing into a Business Enabler.

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The study results indicate that, whether in response to new liability risks or driven by its own ambition, the compliance function is undergoing fundamental change across all industries. What’s most interesting is the question of the cause or driver of this compliance transformation. Risk orientation keeps compliance management on the move and fosters a compliance function that evolves along with new business models. The Compliance Officer is becoming a portfolio manager who is involved in the core processes of the value chain, especially managing newly emerging topics.

In this study, we examine this compliance transformation on the basis of seven characteristics: 

Transformation Characteristic 1

The Compliance Officer is becoming a portfolio manager of strategic importance
The Compliance Officer’s changing responsibilities are the defining characteristic of the compliance transformation and form the basis for the other features.

Transformation Characteristic 2

Corporate compliance assumes responsibility in ESG management 
Based on the risk situation, the compliance function is increasingly involved in ESG issues.

Transformation Characteristic 3

Corporate compliance is involved in safeguarding product management 
Here too; the risk situation is bringing about greater involvement of the compliance function.

Transformation Characteristic 4

Compliance is evolving from a reactive, controlling function into a proactive, business-critical function
New compliance issues, new risks. A culture of integrity in which employees proactively address risks is a key success factor.

Transformation Characteristic 5

Workforce Transformation – from focused specialists to agile, multidisciplinary teams 
New compliance topics require a qualified and expanded compliance team aligned with the risk profile of these topics.

Transformation Characteristic 6

Digitisation is both a risk carrier and an effective compliance instrument 
Digital solutions support the effective and efficient management of the new portfolio of topics. They are also essential for user-friendliness (compliance user experience).

Transformation Characteristic 7

Integration of management systems 
A growing portfolio of topics is increasing the number of interfaces to other management systems. The integration of these systems is becoming a key success factor.