The UK government has announced that from 09:00 GMT on 28 January 2026, the UK Sanctions List (UKSL) will be the only sanctions list which details sanctions designations published by the UK government.
After that date, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) Consolidated List and its search tool will no longer be updated.
In this article, we outline what’s changing and what firms should do ahead of January 2026 to prepare.
Background to the Upcoming Change
At present, the UK maintains two separate sanctions lists:
- The UK Sanctions List, which records designations made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA).
- The OFSI Consolidated List, which firms and screening providers use to check whether individuals or entities are subject to financial sanctions.
Maintaining two separate lists has led to overlap and occasional confusion, as each uses different identifiers and is updated independently, requiring firms to consult both to meet compliance obligations. Industry feedback highlighted that a single list would reduce duplication and streamline checks on who is subject to UK sanctions.
To address this, the government will consolidate all designations into the single UK Sanctions List, creating one definitive source for sanctions.
Key Changes from January 2026
From 28 January 2026, the UK Sanctions List (UKSL) will become the UK’s only official record of sanctions designations.
The main changes are:
- The OFSI Consolidated List will no longer be updated.
- All sanctions targets will appear on the UKSL.
- Firms must update any systems referencing the ‘OFSI Group ID‘ to use the UKSL’s new ‘Unique ID’ format.
- The UKSL will be published in new downloadable formats (.csv, .txt, .pdf).
According to the UK government’s guidance, the change will make it easier for firms to maintain accurate and consistent screening data, and for regulators to ensure all designations are managed under one framework.
What Firms Need to Do Now
Although the change will not take effect until early 2026, firms should start preparing now to ensure a smooth transition, by:
- Reviewing internal systems and data sources that currently pull from the OFSI Consolidated List.
- Updating data mapping and APIs to replace ‘OFSI Group IDs‘ with the new ‘Unique ID‘ structure used in the UKSL.
- Testing automation and data import processes once the new UKSL file formats are published later this year.
- Monitoring GOV.UK updates for further implementation guidance and technical specifications.
Our consultants also recommend that firms using third-party screening tools should confirm with providers that updates will be applied ahead of the January 2026 deadline.
Preparing for a Smooth Transition
The move to a single UK Sanctions List marks an important step in simplifying and modernising the UK’s post-Brexit sanctions regime.
While the change is primarily technical, early preparation will be essential to avoid compliance gaps. Firms that plan and test their updates in 2025 will be well placed to ensure a smooth transition when the new system goes live.
If your firm would like support in reviewing sanctions screening frameworks or assessing readiness for the UKSL transition, reach out to an API Compliance consultant using the contact form.
