ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System

An anti-bribery management system is designed to instil an anti-bribery culture within an organisation and implement appropriate controls, which will, in turn, increase the chance of detecting bribery and reduce its incidence in the first place.

ISO 37001, Anti-bribery management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, gives the requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an anti-bribery management system.

The system can be independent of, or integrated into, an overall management system. It covers bribery in public, private and not-for-profit sectors, including bribery by and against an organisation or its staff and bribes paid or received through or by a third party. Bribery can occur anywhere, be of any value, and involve financial or non-financial advantages or benefits.

Who needs ISO 37001, and how does it helps combat bribery in your organisation?

The requirements of ISO 37001 are generic and intended to apply to all organisations (or parts of an organisation). Regardless of type, size and nature of the activity, whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors – this includes state-owned enterprises, large organisations, SMEs and non-governmental organisations.

Benefits:

• ISO 37001 is designed to help your organisation implement an anti-bribery management system or enhance your current controls. It requires implementing a series of measures such as:
• Adopting an anti-bribery policy
• Appointing someone to oversee compliance with that policy
• Vetting and training employees
• Undertaking risk assessments on projects and business associates
• Implementing financial and commercial controls
• Instituting reporting and investigation procedures.
• Implementing an anti-bribery management system requires leadership and input from top management, and organisations must communicate the policy and programme to all staff and external parties such as contractors, suppliers and joint venture partners. In this way, it helps to reduce the risk of bribery occurring.
• It can demonstrate to your management, employees, owners, funders, customers and other business associates that you have put in place internationally recognised good-practice anti-bribery controls. It can also provide evidence in the event of a criminal investigation that you have taken reasonable steps to prevent bribery.