According to a recent Reuters article, Commerzbank AG, Germany’s second largest lender, has been ordered to pay $1.45 billion to U.S. authorities. This large fine comes after Commerzbank was accused of laundering money through the United States financial system on behalf of black-listed entities – a big mistake in the eyes of U.S. prosecutors. This signifies the importance U.S. Officials put on restricted party screening and strict compliance with these regulations.

On March 9, 2015, President Obama signed a new Executive Order blocking property and suspending entry of certain persons contributing to the “erosion of human rights” in Venezuela. The sanctions are in response to the Venezuelan Government’s "persecution of political opponents, curtailment of press freedoms, human rights violations and abuses in response to anti-government protests.” As a result, travel and trade compliance restrictions have been put in place against seven specific Venezuelan government officials because they "constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."

A leader in specialty hardwood flooring is facing strong allegations of excess use of formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing chemical. The company’s low-cost laminate flooring made in China is under investigation after 60 Minutes reported very concrete evidence against the company’s non-compliance with California’s Health and Safety Standards.

Amber Road (NYSE: AMBR) announced today that it has acquired ecVision, a cloud-based provider of global sourcing and collaborative supply chain solutions for brand-focused companies.

ecVision helps many of the largest brand companies in the world to effectively manage their relationships with product suppliers, raw material vendors, product testing and social compliance audit firms, and global logistics companies.  Driven by the need to get the right products to market faster and respond to ever shortening ‘seasonal’ cycles, retail brand companies must collaborate with their suppliers and tier-n material vendors to speed innovation and manage product compliance with fine-tuned control over costs.