“I can’t fault Zinc really, it’s been a seamless process. We don’t even have to think about it really, which is a good thing.”
People Operations Specialist
Global sanctions and watchlist checks
Protect your organisation, reduce risk, and stay compliant — and make your hiring process simpler. Find out how sanctions checks with Zinc help you cut manual admin and hire confidently.
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Why run global sanctions and watchlist checks?
Hiring candidates without proper screening can expose your business to legal and reputational risk. A thorough global sanctions check and watchlist check helps you stay compliant with international regulations while confidently moving forward with the right people for the role.
“A lot of our SMCR checks have been completed quicker. These checks go out to a lot of the more senior people in the business, and it was really nice to get feedback from them that it took less of their time up to get those checks done.”
Smitha Sanjeev
People Operations
Benefits of Zinc's global sanction and watchlist checks
Build a smooth, simple process
Detailed insights in 195 countries
Zinc runs sanctions and watchlist checks automatically in the background, so your candidates don’t face delays, friction, or clunky forms. The whole experience is fast, secure and mobile-friendly.
Screen globally with confidence
Detailed insights across 195 countries
Zinc makes complex compliance simple by automatically screening candidate data against global watchlists and sanctions databases. Powered by automation and trusted sources, the process reduces human error and helps you hire faster and more safely, anywhere in the world.
How our global sanction and watchlist check process works
Zinc sanctions checks take seconds, not days, freeing up HR’s time to focus on other important projects. You can run them directly from your ATS in just three simple steps:
Candidates upload a government ID, passport or driving licence.
Zinc partners with Comply Advantage to screen against local and international watchlists and global sanctions lists (including OFAC, the Home Office, and Interpol).
Candidate details are securely checked, and results are returned in seconds.
FAQs about global sanctions and watchlist checks
Find answers to common questions about Zinc’s sanctions and watchlist checks.
What are global sanctions checks?
Sanctions checks make sure an individual isn’t on any government lists that identify them as an individual or part of an organisation that’s subject to government sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans. This helps organisations make sure they’re not hiring anyone involved in illegal activities like money laundering, terrorism, or international criminal activity.
How are sanctions checks conducted?
Sanctions checks compare personal data against government lists and sanctions lists to identify untrustworthy individuals or entities.
To conduct sanctions and watchlist screenings, Zinc compares candidates' names and relevant details to databases containing information about sanctions and watchlists.
It's important to remember these checks are not one-time events. Businesses should conduct these checks regularly to ensure ongoing compliance because sanctions and watchlists are regularly updated.
What is the turnaround time for receiving sanctions and watchlists results, and is there an expedited option available?
The turnaround time for receiving sanctions and watchlist results is typically within minutes, however, this will depend on the candidate.
Which sanctions and watchlists does your software screen against when conducting background checks?
Our employment background screening software screens against various sanctions and watchlists, including OFAC, EU, and UN sanctions lists, as well as national and international watchlists. Here’s a handy summary of some of the key sanctions lists we check against.
How does Zinc handle data privacy and comply with relevant regulations when conducting checks?
Our employee background check software handles data privacy with utmost care, complying with relevant regulations, including GDPR, ISO27001, UK DIATF, and other data protection laws. It returns results from a location-sensitive and fully compliant range of sources to give you complete peace of mind.
Does Zinc cover both national and international sanctions and watchlists?
Yes, our background verification software covers both national and international sanctions and watchlists to provide a comprehensive background check.
How user-friendly is your software for both the recruiter and the candidate? Are there tutorials or customer support options available?
At Zinc, a seamless experience is at the heart of everything we do. From an intuitive, mobile-first platform for candidates to live chat and email support, we’re always here to help.
Learn more about how Zinc supports a great candidate experience here.
Can Zinc integrate with our existing ATS or HRIS platforms for seamless processing of checks?
Yes, our employee background screening software can integrate with your existing ATS or HRIS platforms. We currently integrate with over 14 ATS platforms such as Greenhouse, SmartRecruiters, and Workable, for seamless processing of education checks. Find our full list of integrations here.
Loved by customers and candidates
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