Glossary
Designated Person
The individual or department formally responsible for handling whistleblower reports inside an organisation. EU Directive 2019/1937 Article 8(5) requires the designated person to be impartial and trained. The role can be the compliance officer, DPO, an external ombudsperson, or a dedicated investigator, and may be outsourced, though legal responsibility stays with the organisation.
Full definition
Article 8(5) of EU Directive 2019/1937 requires every internal reporting channel to be operated by a designated person or department who is impartial and trained for the role. The designated person is typically the compliance officer, the data protection officer, an external ombudsperson, or a dedicated investigator. The role can be outsourced, but the legal responsibility remains with the organization, and the designated person must have access to the reports and the authority to follow up.
Related terms
- Internal Reporting Channel A confidential mechanism inside an organisation through which employees and other workers can report breaches. EU Directive 2019/1937 Article 8 requires every legal entity with 50 or more employees to operate one, accept reports in writing, orally, or through a physical meeting, acknowledge within 7 days, and provide substantive feedback within 3 months.
- Case Handler The trained individual inside an organisation who triages, investigates, and resolves whistleblower reports. Under EU Directive 2019/1937 Article 9 the case handler must acknowledge receipt within 7 days, maintain confidentiality, log every action, and deliver substantive feedback within 3 months. Case handlers must be free of conflicts of interest and trained in trauma-informed interviewing.