Corruption erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development, and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis. . Exposing corruption and holding corruption to account can only happen if we understand the way corruption works and the system that enables it. Corruption is one of the significant risks faced by organizations of all sizes, sectors and business nature. The act often results in a loss of customer confidence, negative backlashes and, subsequently, may lead to the organization’s closure.
Who Should Use ISO 37001
The standard is designed for organizations of all sizes and provides a set of guidelines that are consistent with best practices used by multinationals.
- Large corporations and multinational enterprises
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Government agencies and public-sector organizations
- Nonprofits, NGOs, and educational institutions
- Third-party service providers, including consultants and contractors
Benefits of ISO 37001
Improve Risk Management
- Help assess bribery risks across different functions, location, and stakeholder
- Improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness in managing risks associated with bribery
Promotes a Culture of Integrity
- Outlines specific roles and responsibilities for employees at all levels regarding anti bribery efforts.
- Include training, communication, and internal reporting mechanisms
Increase Business Opportunities
- Many clients, including in the public and regulated sector, prefer a company or supplier with anti-bribery certifications.
- Can open doors to partnerships and markets with strict compliance.
Promotes Trust and Confidence
- This certification demonstrates that their company doesn’t support bribery and aid in earning more clients and business
- With this certification it shows that your company has adhered to the ABMS standards
Case Studies of Company Who have successfully implemented ISO 37001
- Multinational Corporation (Undisclosed – Various Sector)
A multinational corporation implemented ISO 37001 to strengthen its anti-bribery program, particularly in high-risk jurisdictions. The certification leads to a 40% reduction in bribery incidents and heightened employee engagement, underscoring the effectiveness of the standards in mitigating corruption risk.
- PT Pertamina (Indonesia – Oil & Gas)
Indonesia’s stated-owned energy company, PT Pertamina, adopted ISO 37001 alongside ISO 37002 to reinforce its corporate governance and anti-bribery framework. This initiative aimed to enhance transparency and accountability of the organization. The implementation led to improved internal controls and stronger ethical culture across the company.
- Veolia (Global – environment)
Veolia, a global leader company in environmental services, achieved ISO 37001 certification to bolster its anti-bribery compliance program. The certification process involved a comprehensive audit and the establishment of robust policies and procedures to prevent bribery. This move is not only able to reduce the percentage of bribery and corruption, but it also makes the company more trustable to its potential clients.
- Webuild (Italy – Engineering & Construction)
Webuild, an Italian-based engineering company operating in over 50 countries, integrated ISO 37001 into its compliance framework. The company also adopted a digital whistleblowing system to facilitate reporting and ensure transparency. These measures have been pivotal in maintaining high compliance standards across its global operations.
Key Steps to Implement ISO 37001
- Gap Analysis: Assess current practices against anti-bribery requirements.
- Leadership Buy-in: Secure top management support and appoint a compliance function or “anti-bribery compliance officer.”
- Risk Mapping: Identify high-risk areas, transactions, and entities.
- Policy Development: Create or refine anti-bribery policies and procedures.
- Training & Communication: Build awareness and provide practical training.
- Internal Controls & Monitoring: Establish approval workflows, financial oversight, and audit systems.
- Certification Audit: Engage with an accredited certification body for formal assessment and certification.
Integration With Other Management System
ISO 37001 shares a common structure with other ISO standards, allowing organizations to implement alongside:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety)
- ISO 37301 (Compliance Management)
This integrated approach promotes efficiency and reduces duplications in compliance efforts.
Will ISO 37001 Impose an Unnecessary Heavy Bureaucracy on an Organization
Anti-bribery management should not impose an unnecessarily heavy bureaucracy on an organization. The standard specifically states that the required anti-bribery policies and procedures should be implemented in a manner which is reasonable and proportionate to a number of relevant factors, such as the size and structure of the organization, the locations and sectors in which the organization operates, the nature, scale and complexity of the organization’s activities, and the bribery risk which the organization faces.
Conslusion
As bribery continues to pose a global threat to ethical governance and fair competition, ISO 37001:2016 stands out as a comprehensive and practical tool for organizations to reinforce their anti-bribery efforts. For students, it provides a foundation in ethical risk management; for professionals, a strategic framework for compliance; for regulators, a benchmark of good practice; and for clients, a signal for trustworthiness.
Organizations that implement and certify to ISO 37001 not only meet legal requirements but also gain a strategic advantage by aligning business operations with integrity, accountability, and international best practices.
Protect Your Business from Corruption!
See how our ISO 37001 Solutions can empower your company to lead with transparency and trust.
References
- Qmii. (2023, October 7). Understanding ISO 37001: A Comprehensive guide on Anti-bribery Management systems. https://www.qmii.com/understanding-iso-37001-a-comprehensive-guide-on-anti-bribery-management-systems/
- Scpl. (2024, November 4). ISO 37001 – WHO SHOULD IMPLEMENT AND WHY? Sustainable Certification. https://www.sustainablecertification.com.au/iso-37001-who-should-implement-and-why/
- ISO 37001:2025. (n.d.). ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/37001