What the new UK sanctions list means for your firm

What is changing with UK sanctions lists?

The government’s goal is to simplify sanctions compliance by creating a single, authoritative source for all UK sanctions designations.

Here’s the breakdown of the key changes:

• There will be one single source of truth - From 9:00 am on 28 January 2026, the ‘UK Sanctions List’ (UKSL) will be the only official list for all UK sanctions designations.

• The OFSI list is being retired - The OFSI Consolidated List of Asset Freeze Targets and its search tool will no longer be updated from this date.

• All sanctions will be in one place - The UKSL is more comprehensive, covering all sanction types including financial, immigration, trade, and transport restrictions. This differs from the OFSI list, which only covered financial sanctions.

• A new ID system is being introduced - For new designations, the old 'OFSI Group ID' is being replaced by a 'Unique ID'. Any systems that use the old ID will need to be updated.

• Better tools are on the way - An improved search tool with "fuzzy logic" and new file formats (.csv, PDF, .txt) will make finding information much easier.

These changes are a direct response to industry feedback and are designed to remove duplication, making the process of sanctions screening more straightforward for everyone.

What this means for your firm’s sanctions screening

What this change means in practice depends on how your firm handles its sanctions compliance checks. We want you to feel supported, so here’s a clear guide on what to do next.

If you use an in-house screening system:

The responsibility for updating your processes lies with your team. We recommend you:

1. Brief your compliance and IT teams on the 28 January 2026 deadline.

2. Make sure your systems are set up to use the UK Sanctions List as the primary data source.

3. Confirm your system can handle the change from the 'OFSI Group ID' to the new 'Unique ID' for identifying new designations.

The government advises starting this process now to ensure a smooth transition, rather than waiting until the deadline.

If you rely on a technology partner:

You can relax a little, as the technical heavy lifting sits with your provider. However, it's always good to be proactive, here are some steps you can take to have peace of mind:

• Reach out to your screening provider to confirm they are aware of the changes and ask for their transition plan.

• Ask for their timeline to ensure all updates will be live well before the January 2026 deadline.

• Get their reassurance that there will be no disruption to your service or your ability to meet your AML obligations.

How a good technology partner should support you

Regulatory updates like these are precisely where a technology partner should step in to remove the burden from your firm.

The responsibility of any screening provider is to manage these technical shifts proactively, ensuring you and your team are never at risk of falling out of compliance. This isn't just about updating a data source; it's about providing peace of mind. For firms that use a proactive technology partner, a change like this should be seamless. There should be no disruption, no manual work, and no gaps in your compliance process

Looking ahead: A simpler future for compliance

With the January 2026 deadline just around the corner, now is the time for firms to finalise their preparations for this positive step forward in compliance.

The move to a single UK Sanctions List aims to simplify the process. The old OFSI list will soon be retired, giving one unified source for every type of sanction - from financial and trade, to immigration. It's all supported by better search tools and more flexible file formats to make screening more efficient.

While this update requires firms to ensure their systems are ready, the move to a single, comprehensive list is a positive one. It promises a more efficient and less ambiguous future for sanctions screening, and that's a change we can all get behind.