What to do when authorities open an investigation

The first steps any company director should take when the business is facing a regulatory inspection.

An unannounced investigation (from the tax authority, consumer protection agency, labor inspectorate, etc.) is a tense moment, but a mature company doesn't react with fear — it reacts with clear rules. Inspectors carry the authority of the law, but directors have equally firm legal rights. The secret to a successful inspection lies in how you manage the first 60 minutes.

🛠️ The rapid 4-step protocol

If inspectors are at your door right now, here is what you need to do:

1. Check their mandate and log the visit. Before handing over any documents, request their ID badges and the Inspection Order. You need to know exactly what they are entitled to check. You must log the inspection in the Single Inspection Register before the actual review begins.
2. Isolate the inspection team and designate a single point of contact. Don't let inspectors wander freely through the company or ask employees random questions. Take them to a meeting room and designate a single person (the director or manager) to communicate with them.
3. Call your lawyer immediately. Legal assistance is your legal right. Ask the inspectors for a reasonable waiting period until your lawyer or tax consultant arrives, especially for complex inspections.
4. Don't sign anything hastily, and put your objections in writing. If you're asked for a written statement (questions in writing), request time to formulate your answers in a documented manner. Finally, when you read the Inspection Report, if you disagree with their conclusions, write your objections directly in the document before signing. They form the basis for any future appeal.