Every business must follow the rules. My Compliance and Regulation vocabulary list gives you specific Business English words and phrases to discuss laws, policies, and company standards clearly.
You’ll find 60 useful terms and expressions, divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Use them to talk about compliance procedures, risk controls, and ethical guidelines in meetings, reports, or audits.
👉 Beginner
👉 Intermediate
👉 Advanced
Beginner Compliance and Regulations English
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Rule | A principle or instruction intended to control or govern behavior. | Employees must follow the company’s safety rules. |
| Law | A system of rules recognized by a country or community. | It’s important to obey the law. |
| Follow | To adhere to or comply with. | Please follow the instructions carefully. |
| Check | To examine something to ensure it is correct or in order. | We need to check the documents for errors. |
| Safe | Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk. | The company provides a safe working environment. |
| Permit | An official document giving someone permission to do something. | You need a building permit for construction. |
| Record | Information or data that is written or stored. | Keep accurate records of all transactions. |
| Report | Give a spoken or written account of something. | Managers must report any safety incidents. |
| Obey | To comply with or follow orders or rules. | All citizens must obey traffic laws. |
| License | An official permit to own or use something, or to carry on a practice. | You need a driver’s license to operate a vehicle. |
Intermediate Compliance and Regulations English
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Compliance | Adherence to rules and regulations. | The company has a strong compliance program. |
| Regulation | A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority. | New environmental regulations affect our industry. |
| Audit | An official inspection of an organization’s accounts. | The company undergoes an annual financial audit. |
| Policy | A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization. | The company has a strict anti-discrimination policy. |
| Standard | A level of quality or attainment. | Our products meet the highest safety standards. |
| Procedure | An established or official way of doing something. | Follow the correct procedure for reporting accidents. |
| Mandatory | Required by law or rules; compulsory. | Attending the safety training is mandatory. |
| Documentation | Material that provides official information or evidence. | Proper documentation is essential for legal compliance. |
| Inspection | Official examination or review. | The factory passed the safety inspection. |
| Legislation | Laws considered collectively. | New legislation has been passed to protect consumer rights. |
Advanced Compliance and Regulations English
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
| Regulatory Framework | A system of rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern a particular industry or activity. | The financial industry operates within a complex regulatory framework. |
| Due Diligence | Thorough investigation before making a decision. | The company performed due diligence before acquiring the new subsidiary. |
| Risk Assessment | The process of identifying and evaluating potential risks. | A thorough risk assessment is crucial for compliance. |
| Sanction | A penalty or punishment imposed for breaking a law or rule. | The company faced severe sanctions for violating environmental regulations. |
| Jurisdiction | The official power to make legal decisions and judgments. | The court has jurisdiction over cases within this territory. |
| Statutory | Required or permitted by statute. | The company has a statutory obligation to report its financial results. |
| Litigation | The process of taking legal action. | The company is involved in ongoing litigation over patent rights. |
| Subpoena | A writ ordering a person to attend a court. | The witness received a subpoena to testify in court. |
| Precedent | An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.1 | The court ruling set a precedent for future cases. |
| Adjudication | The formal judgment or decision about a problem or disputed matter. | The dispute was resolved through formal |
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We hope you enjoyed our Compliance and Regulations English.
Remember: “If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance” Paul McNulty.
Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
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