The 6th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (6AMLD) is a European Union regulation implemented in December 2020 that strengthens the legal framework around money laundering and terrorism financing. It expands criminal liability and toughens penalties for financial crimes.
Key Components
- 22 predicate offenses for money laundering
- Environmental and cybercrime inclusion
- Tax crimes and market manipulation
- Criminal liability for legal persons
- "Aiding and abetting" provisions
Main Changes
- Standardized money laundering definitions
- Unified approach across EU states
- Minimum imprisonment of 4 years
- Asset confiscation provisions
- Corporate fines and penalties
Implementation Requirements
- Enhanced due diligence procedures
- Transaction monitoring updates
- Staff training requirements
- Risk assessment protocols
- Reporting mechanism improvements
Impact Areas
- Compliance structure updates
- Enhanced customer verification
- Extended record-keeping
- Cross-border cooperation
- Technology infrastructure updates
6AMLD represents a significant advancement in the EU's fight against money laundering, requiring substantial organizational commitment while strengthening financial system integrity.