The U.K. Government recently issued guidance to address upcoming changes in the way that U.K. sanctions designations are published. All U.K. designations are currently added to two lists: the U.K. Sanctions List that is published by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the Consolidated List of Asset Freeze Targets that is published for HM Treasury by the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation. Beginning on January 26, 2026, all U.K. sanctions designations and related details will only be added to the U.K. Sanctions List, and OFSI’s Consolidated List will no longer be updated. The guidance was issued to enable individuals and entities that rely on OFSI’s Consolidated List for sanctions screening purposes to prepare to transition their systems to the U.K. Sanctions List before January 28, 2026. The guidance also suggests that sanctions systems should also be prepared for the formal closure of the OFSI Consolidated list, as “OFSI Group ID” identifiers are being retired.
Earlier this year, the Government announced its plan to move to a single list in order to stop duplicating efforts to maintain two lists and to simplify for process for determining who is subject to U.K. sanctions. To ease the transition, all U.K. Sanctions List formats will retain historic “OFSI Group ID” identifiers for persons designated prior to January 28, 2026. The guidance encourages members of the public who currently rely on OFSI’s Consolidated List to start the transition to the U.K. Sanctions List as soon as possible. Individuals and entities that use special screeners or other third-party providers for sanctions screening services are encouraged to discuss these changes and the possible impact to services provided with their suppliers.
Guidance – Moving to a single list for UK sanctions designations – 28 January 2026