What is ISO 37001:2016 –Anti Bribery Management System (ABMS) Certification?

It is estimated that globally, over $1.5 trillion in bribes changes hands every year. Apart from the negative economic impact, bribery also impacts the whole society as it undermines trust, leads to unfairness, creates inequality, and stifles motivation.

ISO 37001:2016 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, reviewing and improving an anti-bribery management system (ABMS). The system can be stand-alone or can be integrated into an overall management system.

ISO 37001 specifies the requirements and provides guidance for the establishment, implementation, monitoring, maintenance, and continual improvement of an ABMS. Its is applicable only to bribery. It sets out requirements and provides guidance for a management system designed to help an organization to prevent, detect and respond to bribery and comply with anti-bribery laws and voluntary commitments applicable to its activities.

ISO 37001 does not specifically address fraud, cartels and other anti-trust/competition offences, money-laundering or other activities related to corrupt practices, although an organization can choose to extend the scope of the management system to include such activities.

Why ISO 37011 is important?

ISO 37001 provides minimum requirements and supporting guidance for implementing an effective anti-bribery management system. The implementation considerably reduces the risk of malpractice because the standard was designed to help you prevent bribery. The implementation of an anti-bribery management system contributes to a culture of integrity and transparency. It also ensures the protection of whistleblowers, making it more likely that issues are detected before the damage has been done.

ISO 37001 addresses the following in relation to the organization's activities:

·       Bribery of the organization and Bribery by the organization

·       Bribery by the organization's personnel acting on the organization's behalf or for its benefit

·       Bribery of the organization's personnel in relation to the organization's activities

·       Bribery by the organization's business associates acting on the organization's behalf or for its  benefit

·       Bribery in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors

·       Direct and indirect bribery (e.g. a bribe offered or accepted through or by a third party)

What are the benefits of ISO 37001? 

•     Promote trust and confidence
•     Implement the necessary measures designed to prevent, detect and address bribery
•     Avoid reputational damage - by implementing an ABMS based on ISO 37001
•     Avoid cost
  

Who can acquire ISO 37001 certification?

It is generic and are intended to be applicable to all organizations (or parts of an organization), regardless of type, size and nature of activity, and whether in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.