Conduct in breach of professional duties by directors or workers of private-sector entities in the course of economic, financial or business activities can be detrimental to the interests of a private-sector company, and can also distort competition in relation to the purchase of goods or commercial services to the detriment of both potential competitors and the general public. The criminalisation of bribery in the private sector aims to deter both kinds of harm. It should contribute to preventing third parties from interfering in the fair conduct of business by promising, offering or giving any undue advantage to directors or workers of private-sector entities for them to act or to refrain from acting, in breach of their duties (active bribery in the private sector). The offence should also cover directors and workers of private-sector entities who request or receive any undue advantage, or accept the offer or the promise thereof, in order to act or to refrain from acting, in breach of their duties (passive bribery in the private sector).
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
