Ekerö kommun streamlines supplier checks to combat welfare fraud
Ekerö kommun's procurement unit utilises Roaring's user-friendly web service to efficiently review its suppliers, thereby minimising the risk of exposure to welfare fraud with the help of smart risk indicators.
Ekerö kommun's need for structure and control
With over 800 active contracts, ranging from small-scale services to complex construction projects, the municipality has a significant need to review, evaluate, and monitor its suppliers. Legislation requires the municipality to check the grounds for exclusion of suppliers under Chapter 13 of the Public Procurement Act (LOU), which includes both mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds. This responsibility aligns with the municipality's goal of ensuring stable and reliable partners over time while also identifying potential risks of existing suppliers facing bankruptcy or financial distress.
By examining a range of parameters, such as legal information, financial stability, operational history, and potential links to high-risk entities, the municipality aims to identify risks that may not always be immediately apparent. This work is crucial to ensuring continuity in essential projects and services while minimising the risk of exposure to welfare fraud.
Increased user-friendliness and more efficient risk assessments
Before Ekerö kommun adopted Roaring's web service, previous systems were found to be difficult to navigate and inefficient to work with. The municipality chose Roaring to gain access to a more pedagogical and integrated platform.
“What we appreciate about Roaring is that everything is consolidated in one place, and the system is easy to use. You quickly get an overview and can click through to see connections between companies and individuals. It saves us time and resources.”
Roaring's automated risk assessment reports and legal database are central tools in the municipality’s operations. By automating data collection on previous convictions, tax status, and company information, the municipality can conduct risk assessments that contribute to safer business transactions. A quick summary of discrepancies facilitates follow-ups and prioritisation of resources for deeper investigations when necessary.
Today's risk analysis requires new types of indicators
One challenge is that criminal actors have become increasingly adept at concealing their activities, understanding what authorities typically scrutinise, explains Johan Adner. This has led the municipality to employ increasingly sophisticated tools and methods to detect irregularities and risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
A traditional credit rating can often be misleading as it is based on financial history and, therefore, risks becoming outdated. To obtain a more comprehensive picture, the municipality uses the Swedish Economic Crime Authority’s checklist of risk indicators. Johan Adner highlights that it is a significant advantage that Roaring covers many of these, helping the municipality to identify potential risks earlier.
The result: more efficient procurement and safer supply chains
The collaboration with Roaring has not only streamlined the municipality’s processes but also created the conditions for safer and more well-informed decisions. "We now have the tools to quickly identify risks and prioritise our resources. I would absolutely recommend Roaring," concludes Johan Adner.
Ekerö kommun is located in Stockholm County and consists of an archipelago in lake Mälaren, west of Stockholm. With a population of around 30,000, it is renowned for its picturesque surroundings, featuring vast green spaces, lakes, and cultural heritage sites.
