Complaints channel
What is the Whistleblowing Channel?
It is a communication channel that allows individuals to report potential legal or regulatory breaches, irregularities, or conduct contrary to integrity, the Code of Ethics and Conduct, or the Institute's internal regulations.
Through this channel, the following may be reported, among others:
- potential serious or very serious criminal or administrative offences;
- breaches of European Union law;
- fraud, corruption, or conflicts of interest;
- breaches of the Code of Ethics and Conduct, the Anti-Fraud Plan, or IRBLleida's internal regulations;
- conduct contrary to good scientific practices;
- situations of workplace harassment, sexual harassment, harassment based on sex, or other discriminatory conduct.
The channel is not intended for enquiries regarding the interpretation of regulations or internal procedures. Such enquiries may be addressed to compliance@irblleida.cat.
Who can use it?
Any person who becomes aware of a potential irregularity in a work-related or professional context connected with activities carried out by IRBLleida or under its supervision.
How can a report be submitted?
The preferred method is through the CENTINELA WHISTLEBLOWING CHANNEL online platform, accessible through the following link:
The platform allows reports to be submitted in writing, either identified or anonymously, and is designed to guarantee the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information provided.
Reports may also be submitted through the following channels:
By post:
Compliance Officer of IRBLleida
Avinguda Alcalde Rovira Roure, 80
25198 Lleida, Spain
By telephone:
+34 973 70 22 01, requesting to speak to the Compliance Officer function.
What information should be provided?
The report should describe the facts clearly, specifically, and in as much detail as possible. It is advisable to include:
- the type of conduct or irregularity;
- the individuals allegedly involved;
- the dates and locations where the events occurred;
- any persons who may have knowledge of the facts;
- any document, file, or lawfully obtained evidence that may help clarify the circumstances.
Providing your identity is not mandatory. However, identification may facilitate the investigation and enable requests for additional information.
The reporting person must act in good faith and have reasonable grounds to believe that the information reported is true at the time of submission. It is not necessary for the facts to be ultimately proven for a report to be considered to have been made in good faith.
What safeguards are provided?
The Internal Reporting System is governed by the principles of confidentiality, security, anonymity, impartiality, accessibility, and protection against retaliation.
IRBLleida guarantees:
- the possibility of submitting anonymous reports;
- the confidentiality of the identity of the reporting person, the person concerned, and any other individuals mentioned;
- protection against any form of retaliation, threat, or attempted retaliation against individuals who report in good faith;
- protection of personal data and restricted access to information;
- the impartial and professional handling of reports;
- respect for the presumption of innocence, the right to defence, the right to honour and reputation, and the right of the person concerned to be heard.
This protection does not apply to reports made in bad faith or with knowledge that the information provided is false.
What happens after a report is submitted?
Receipt of the report will be acknowledged within a maximum of seven calendar days, unless doing so could compromise confidentiality.
A preliminary assessment will then be carried out to determine whether the facts fall within the scope of the Whistleblowing Channel and whether the report should be admitted for processing.
Where the report is admitted, an objective, thorough, confidential, and proportionate investigation will be conducted. The investigation may be carried out internally, by specialised personnel, by a specific committee, or by independent external professionals.
The general time limit for concluding proceedings is three months from receipt of the report. In particularly complex cases, this period may be extended, with justification, by up to an additional three months.
Where the facts may constitute a criminal offence, the information will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office or, where the interests of the European Union are affected, to the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
System Manager
The holder of the General Management position at IRBLleida is responsible for the Internal Reporting System and performs these duties independently and autonomously.
The Compliance Officer function, the Institute's competent units, external professionals, or specifically established committees may also be involved in the management and investigation of reports, depending on the nature of the facts and any potential conflicts of interest.
Scientific Integrity and Ombudsperson
Where the facts are specifically related to scientific integrity, research misconduct, ethical conflicts between researchers, or potential breaches of scientific codes of conduct, the matter may also be referred to the IRBLleida Ombudsperson or to the Research Integrity Committee.
IRBLleida Ombudsperson:
Dr Enric Herrero
ombudsperson@irblleida.cat
For matters of particular significance, reports may also be addressed to the CERCA Ombudsperson: ombudsperson@cerca.cat
External Reporting Channels
Reporting persons may use IRBLleida's Whistleblowing Channel directly or report through the external channels established by the competent authorities, without first having to submit an internal report:
- Catalan Anti-Fraud Office.
- Independent Authority for the Protection of Whistleblowers.
IRBLleida recommends using the internal channel whenever possible, as it enables immediate action, facilitates the investigation of reported facts, and contributes to improving internal prevention and control mechanisms.