Many managers view SAGRILAFT as a task that can be left “for later,” when there’s time or when the Superintendence comes knocking. The problem is that, if your company is required to comply, “later” usually arrives in the form of a sanction or, worse yet, a reputational problem that no one knows how to extinguish.
Implementing this system is not just a legal checkbox; it’s protecting your operation. Here we explain what’s really at stake.
1. The First Mistake: Are You Really Required to Comply?
Not all companies must implement SAGRILAFT, and that’s where the confusion begins. The obligation depends on revenue, assets, or the sector in which you operate (according to Chapter X of the Basic Legal Circular).
- The invisible risk: Many companies haven’t even checked whether they’ve entered the regulation’s radar. Non-compliance due to ignorance doesn’t remove your responsibility, and that’s the first gap you must close.
2. It’s Not a Manual to Store in a Drawer
One of the most common mistakes is believing that compliance means having a signed PDF stored away. SAGRILAFT is not a document, it’s a living system.
The regulation requires that the system operate, that it have designated personnel (Compliance Officer), and that it be monitored. In fact, the fiscal auditor and internal audit have their eye on this to propose constant improvements. If the system doesn’t “breathe” or generate alerts, for SuperSociedades it doesn’t exist.
3. The Consequences: More Than Just a Fine
If your company is required to comply and doesn’t, the repercussions escalate quickly:
Fundamental weakness: Without filters, your company is exposed to money laundering or terrorism financing risks without knowing it. It’s like leaving your front door open in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
Personal sanctions: Fines are not just for the “company.” They can fall on the Compliance Officer, the Fiscal Auditor, and even the administrators.
Commercial blockage: Today, many large companies and banks don’t do business with suppliers that don’t have a solid SAGRILAFT. Non-compliance closes doors for you.
4. Medium-Sized Companies: The Growth Challenge
As a company grows, adding clients and suppliers, its risk exposure increases. In medium-sized companies, SAGRILAFT should not be seen as an expense, but as a sign of business maturity. A serious compliance system makes you look more trustworthy to investors and international partners.
In summary: Ignoring SAGRILAFT doesn’t make the risk disappear; it only allows it to accumulate silently.
At Kreston Colombia, we help you determine whether you’re required to comply and, above all, to set up a system that doesn’t just stay on paper, but truly protects your business.
