Debarment and warning lists
World Bank and multilateral development bank debarment
Short answer
- First tier
- Office of Suspension and Debarment 1
- Final tier
- World Bank Group Sanctions Board, seven external judges 1
- Baseline sanction
- 3-year debarment with conditional release 4
- Respondents sanctioned, FY07 to FY25
- 850 5
What a World Bank debarment covers
The World Bank list names firms and individuals debarred and ineligible to take part in World Bank-financed contracts for the periods shown 3. The grounds are prohibited conduct defined in the applicable procurement or consultant guidelines 3. Entries cite practices such as fraudulent practices and corrupt and collusive practices 3.
Who decides
The system has two tiers. The Office of Suspension and Debarment, led by the Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer, is the first level of adjudication 2. It can temporarily suspend an accused party and imposes the final sanction if there is no appeal 1. The Sanctions Board is described as an independent administrative tribunal of seven external judges and decides contested cases 1.
The FY25 Data Companion breaks down how the 850 respondents sanctioned from FY07 to FY25 were sanctioned 5. 425 followed uncontested determinations by the Suspension and Debarment Officer, 263 followed settlement agreements and 162 followed Sanctions Board decisions 5.
Types of sanction
The Sanctioning Guidelines issued on 31 October 2024 set out the range 4. The baseline is a 3-year debarment with conditional release, the default starting point for all forms of misconduct 4. Decision makers may depart from it when the facts justify it 4.
| Sanction | Effect |
|---|---|
| Letter of reprimand 4 | Public letter for isolated or minor instances of sanctionable practices 4 |
| Conditional non-debarment 4 | No debarment, with conditions to meet 4 |
| Debarment 4 | Release only after the defined period ends 4 |
| Debarment with conditional release 4 | Release needs the minimum period to lapse and the conditions to be met 4 |
| Restitution 4 | Used in exceptional circumstances, such as a quantifiable amount to restore 4 |
Cross-debarment among development banks
The Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions is dated 9 April 2010 6. Its signatories are the African Development Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank Group and the World Bank Group 6. The World Bank says the agreement took effect on 1 July 2011 3. Its list shows entries imposed through its own process and entries imposed through cross-debarment 3.
Release and ending a debarment
A party under debarment with conditional release cannot be released before the end of the minimum period 4. A conditional non-debarment carries conditions that are likely to be similar to those set for debarment with conditional release 4.
US federal contracting has its own rules under FAR subpart 9.4. There, a debarring official may reduce a debarment on the contractor's request, on grounds that include newly discovered material evidence or a bona fide change in ownership or management 7.
Common questions
Is a World Bank debarred firm on a sanctions list?
No. The World Bank list records ineligibility for World Bank-financed contracts 3.
How long is a World Bank debarment?
The baseline is 3 years with conditional release, and decision makers may depart from it 4.
Does a World Bank debarment apply at other development banks?
Five banks signed the 9 April 2010 agreement to enforce each other's debarment decisions 6.
Who hears appeals in World Bank sanctions cases?
The Sanctions Board decides contested cases 1.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@sanctionslistsexplained.com.
Sources
- World Bank: Sanctions System
- World Bank: Office of Suspension and Debarment
- World Bank: World Bank Listing of Ineligible Firms and Individuals
- World Bank Group: WBG Sanctioning Guidelines (31 October 2024)
- World Bank Group Sanctions Board Secretariat and Office of Suspension and Debarment: FY25 Sanctions System Data Companion
- Asian Development Bank: Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions
- Acquisition.GOV: Subpart 9.4, Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility
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