ISO37001

ISO 37001 is an international standard for anti-bribery management systems (ABMS) published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It provides a framework to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an anti-bribery program and to help organizations comply with anti-bribery laws and reduce bribery risks across the organization and its relationships with third parties.

The standard specifies requirements for a management system consistent with ISO's approach, including leadership and commitment from top management; an explicit anti-bribery policy; risk assessment to identify bribery risks; due diligence on persons and entities with which the organization does business; controls over gifts, hospitality, and third-party relationships; financial controls; training and awareness; reporting channels; investigations and corrective actions; record keeping; internal audits; and management review and continual improvement.

ISO 37001 applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors, including suppliers, distributors, contractors, and joint ventures. It emphasizes risk-based due diligence for high-risk relationships and activities, such as mergers and acquisitions, to prevent bribery from entering the organization.

Certification to ISO 37001 is voluntary and conducted by independent, accredited certification bodies after an audit. Certification can demonstrate a commitment to an effective anti-bribery program to customers and regulators. The standard is designed to integrate with other ISO management systems and to complement a broader compliance framework; it does not itself impose criminal liability.