{
  "schema_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "answer_key": "sanctions-list-definition",
  "artifact_slug": "sanctions-list-definition",
  "query": "sanctions list meaning",
  "citation_slots": 3,
  "canonical_path": "/glossary/sanctions-list",
  "title": "What does sanctions list mean?",
  "description": "A source-scoped definition of a sanctions list and matching limits.",
  "answer_capsule": "A sanctions list is a dated source published under a named legal program, not a universal list of risky parties. Fonteum's ofac-sdn-composition-2026.json file, generated 2026-07-14 from a 2026-06-28 source snapshot, contains 20,055 SDN listing rows. Each possible match requires source-program, identifier, and current-status review; a similar name is not an identity conclusion.",
  "scope": "This answer uses OFAC to illustrate source-scoped list records. It does not combine every jurisdiction or determine legal effect for a named party.",
  "methodology_version": "citation-answer/v1",
  "reproducibility_note": "Re-derive this answer from the named source and dated scope; no Fonteum account is required.",
  "limitations": [
    "Coverage is limited to the named source families and snapshot dates.",
    "This aggregate public-record answer is not a consumer report, person-level dossier, eligibility decision, or risk score."
  ],
  "related_links": [
    {
      "label": "Sanctions screening",
      "href": "/glossary/sanctions-screening"
    }
  ],
  "data_as_of": "2026-06-28",
  "source_artifacts": [
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
      "kind": "fonteum-derived",
      "file_name": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026.json",
      "file_url": "/gov/research/ofac-sdn-composition-2026/ofac-sdn-composition.json",
      "creator": "Fonteum LLC",
      "generated_date": "2026-07-14",
      "published_date": "2026-07-14",
      "data_as_of": "2026-06-28",
      "sha256": "a361676e0715f46f7a8f165f3d2e41688d885d93254c3f74595139b1ad71f020",
      "is_based_on": {
        "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
        "name": "OFAC SDN composition snapshot",
        "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
        "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists",
        "source_date_kind": "snapshot",
        "source_date": "2026-06-28"
      }
    },
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-introduction-2026-07-21",
      "kind": "upstream",
      "file_name": "Introduction to OFAC",
      "file_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/935656/download?inline=",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "published_date": null,
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21",
      "data_as_of": "2026-07-21",
      "sha256": null
    }
  ],
  "published_date": "2026-07-21",
  "modified_date": "2026-07-21",
  "sources": [
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
      "name": "OFAC SDN composition snapshot",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists",
      "source_date_kind": "snapshot",
      "source_date": "2026-06-28",
      "limitation": "The retained aggregate covers OFAC SDN listing rows only. Rows are not unique identities, program counts can overlap, and a similar name is not an identity or legal conclusion.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-06-28",
      "retained_artifact": {
        "kind": "fonteum-derived",
        "file_name": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026.json",
        "file_url": "/gov/research/ofac-sdn-composition-2026/ofac-sdn-composition.json",
        "creator": "Fonteum LLC",
        "generated_date": "2026-07-14",
        "published_date": "2026-07-14",
        "data_as_of": "2026-06-28",
        "sha256": "a361676e0715f46f7a8f165f3d2e41688d885d93254c3f74595139b1ad71f020",
        "is_based_on": {
          "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
          "name": "OFAC SDN composition snapshot",
          "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
          "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists",
          "source_date_kind": "snapshot",
          "source_date": "2026-06-28"
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "source_key": "ofac-introduction-2026-07-21",
      "name": "Introduction to OFAC",
      "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
      "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/935656/download?inline=",
      "source_date_kind": "accessed",
      "source_date": "2026-07-21",
      "limitation": "This guidance explains OFAC's sanctions-program framework. It is not a complete list export, transaction-specific legal advice, or an identity-match decision.",
      "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
    }
  ],
  "facts": [
    {
      "fact_key": "rows",
      "label": "Dated OFAC listing rows",
      "value": "20,055",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
        "name": "OFAC SDN composition snapshot",
        "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
        "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists",
        "source_date_kind": "snapshot",
        "source_date": "2026-06-28",
        "limitation": "The retained aggregate covers OFAC SDN listing rows only. Rows are not unique identities, program counts can overlap, and a similar name is not an identity or legal conclusion.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-06-28",
        "retained_artifact": {
          "kind": "fonteum-derived",
          "file_name": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026.json",
          "file_url": "/gov/research/ofac-sdn-composition-2026/ofac-sdn-composition.json",
          "creator": "Fonteum LLC",
          "generated_date": "2026-07-14",
          "published_date": "2026-07-14",
          "data_as_of": "2026-06-28",
          "sha256": "a361676e0715f46f7a8f165f3d2e41688d885d93254c3f74595139b1ad71f020",
          "is_based_on": {
            "source_key": "ofac-sdn-composition-2026-06-28",
            "name": "OFAC SDN composition snapshot",
            "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
            "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists",
            "source_date_kind": "snapshot",
            "source_date": "2026-06-28"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "fact_key": "required-context",
      "label": "Required context",
      "value": "Publisher, program, date, identifiers, and restriction",
      "source": {
        "source_key": "ofac-introduction-2026-07-21",
        "name": "Introduction to OFAC",
        "publisher": "U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
        "official_url": "https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/935656/download?inline=",
        "source_date_kind": "accessed",
        "source_date": "2026-07-21",
        "limitation": "This guidance explains OFAC's sanctions-program framework. It is not a complete list export, transaction-specific legal advice, or an identity-match decision.",
        "retrieved_date": "2026-07-21"
      }
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Is there one universal sanctions list?",
      "answer": "No. Authorities publish separate list products under different legal programs."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does a name similarity prove a match?",
      "answer": "No. Identifiers and the current underlying source must be reviewed."
    }
  ]
}