Compliance in Practice at IMS: Legal and Operational Risk Awareness for 2026

As Intelligent Mud Solutions AS (IMS) continues to grow internationally, compliance is becoming an increasingly important part of how the company operates on a daily basis.

The 4.February 2026, IMS held an internal compliance workshop aimed at providing a practical overview of relevant legal frameworks and the key compliance-related risks the organisation needs to be aware of moving forward. The workshop was designed to be relevant for both

IMS employees and the Board, with a strong focus on roles, responsibilities, and real operational scenarios.

The purpose of the workshop

The objective of the workshop was not to turn employees into legal experts, but to build shared understanding and awareness around:

• What compliance means in practice at IMS

• Which risk areas are most relevant for the company in 2026

• How individual roles contribute to compliant and responsible operations

Compliance is not limited to policies and procedures. It is closely linked to daily decisions, commercial discussions, third-party interactions, and how IMS conducts its business across borders.

Key compliance areas addressed

The workshop provided an overview of several legal and operational risk areas that are particularly relevant to IMS as a technology company operating internationally, including:

• Corporate criminal liability and the importance of preventive measures

• Anti-corruption risks, including the use of agents and intermediaries

• Economic sanctions and the risk of circumvention

• Export controls, particularly related to advanced and dual-use technology

• Money laundering exposure in commercial transactions

• Anti-trust considerations in partnerships, distribution, and information sharing

• Human rights and working conditions, including expectations placed on IMS through business partners

Practical dilemmas and examples were used to illustrate how compliance risks can arise in real-life business situations, often without malicious intent.

Roles, responsibilities, and the “lines of defence”

A central theme of the workshop was that compliance is a shared responsibility:

• Employees are the first line of defence through their daily actions, judgement, and awareness

• Management is responsible for establishing structures, guidance, and escalation mechanisms

• The Board has overall oversight responsibility and sets the tone from the top

Understanding where responsibility lies and when to ask questions or escalate concerns is essential for effective compliance.

Third-party risk as a key focus area

Particular attention was given to risks associated with third parties, such as:

• Customers, suppliers, distributors, and agents

• Ownership structures and geographic exposure

• Payment methods and unusual transaction requests

The workshop highlighted that IMS may be held accountable for actions taken by third parties acting on its behalf, both legally and contractually. Effective third-party due diligence and ongoing monitoring are therefore critical.

Compliance as an enabler of safe operations and growth

At IMS, compliance is not viewed as an obstacle to innovation or growth. On the contrary, strong compliance practices help ensure:

• Safer and more predictable operations

• Trust with customers, partners, and authorities

• Reduced risk of business disruptions

• A solid foundation for sustainable, long-term growth

By increasing awareness and clarity around compliance expectations, IMS strengthens its ability to operate responsibly in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

Workshop facilitators

The workshop was delivered by legal advisors from Advokatfirmaet Selmer AS, who provided practical legal insight and real-world perspectives:

• Nina Stærnes, Senior Associate

• Andreas Kyllingstad, Senior Associate

• Gina Amalie Kleveland, Senior Associate

Their contributions helped translate complex legal requirements into practical guidance relevant for IMS’ day-to-day operations.

Looking ahead

As IMS moves further into 2026, compliance will remain an integrated part of how the company works supporting safe operations, responsible decision-making, and continued international growth.

A shared understanding of compliance across the organisation is a key factor in achieving this.