Singapore legislation

Regulation 8

of Accountants (Prevention of Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing) Rules 2023

Regulation 8

Timing for verification

Amended byS 201/2026 wef 06/05/2026

Subregulation 1

Amended byS 201/2026 wef 06/05/2026

Despite rules 6(6) and 7(2), an accounting entity may establish a business relationship with a client before completing the verification of the identity of the client, the client’s agents and the beneficial owners of the client if —

(a)

the deferral of completion of the verification is essential in order not to interrupt the normal conduct of business operations; and

(b)

the risks of money laundering, the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing can be effectively managed by the accounting entity or an individual practitioner of the accounting entity.

Subregulation 2

Where the accounting entity establishes a business relationship with a client before verifying the identity of the client, the client’s agents and the beneficial owners of the client —

(a)

the accounting entity must adopt internal risk management policies and procedures concerning the conditions under which the accounting entity may establish such a business relationship before verification; and

(b)

the accounting entity or individual practitioner must complete the verification as soon as is reasonably practicable.