Certification of Anti-Bribery Management Systems to ISO 37001: a practical commitment to combating corrupt practices

ISO 37001 "Anti-Bribery Management Systems" is the first international standard for management systems established on the basis of best international practices, for the purpose of reducing the risks and costs connected with possible corrupt practices. It is aimed at public and private organisations of any size or nature, and represents a flexible tool involving the adoption of a systemic approach to preventing and combating corruption.
The anti-bribery management system can be set up as a stand-alone system or as part of an integrated system. In fact, the High Level Structure used to articulate the requirements of ISO 37001 and also applied to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, among others, facilitates an integrated approach with other systems, such as quality, environment and occupational health and safety. For organisations subject to Italian law, the ISO 37001 management system can also be part of the "organisational and Management Model" adopted pursuant to Legislative Decree 231/2001.

ISO 37001

ISO 37001 helps prevent, identify and manage situations of bribery (whether active or passive) involving the organisation, its personnel and its business partners, by promoting a range of measures and controls and providing guidance on how to apply them. The standard specifies a range of requirements relating to the following:

  • Analysis of the organisation’s context (internal and external) and the requirements of stakeholders;
  • Risk assessment: identification of risks of bribery, determination of levels and their impact, verification of the effectiveness of the measures taken;
  • Definition of anti-bribery policy and objectives;
  • Implementation of appropriate financial and non-financial controls and due diligence;
  • Training and communication;
  • Whistleblowing system
  • Reporting, monitoring, analysis and review
  • Continuous improvement actions.

The benefits of ISO 37001 certification

Certification to ISO 37001 enables public and private entities that have decided to implement an organisational system aimed at preventing and combating bribery, to have their system verified and validated by an independent, internationally recognised body, thus providing evidence of their choice and commitment. The main benefits of ISO 37001 certification are as follows:

  • Legal compliance: implementing a management system to ISO 37001 makes it possible to identify and monitor legal requirements and adopt a systemic approach geared towards legal compliance, within the framework of preventing and combating bribery.
  • Ethics and innovation: introducing a system for preventing and combating bribery in accordance with a standard based on international best practice, whose value is recognised in Italy and worldwide, means making an ethical and innovative choice.
  • Competitiveness: ISO 37001 certification is a distinguishing feature on the market, including in the eyes of customers and stakeholders, and is a possible additional requirement in tendering and supplier approval procedures.
  • Governance: adopting a management system to ISO 37001 provides evidence of the existence of a suitable system for preventing risks connected with bribery. It may also meet investors’ requirements for high standards of ethics, legality and sustainability of the businesses they invest in.
  • Mitigation of the risk of sanctions: implementing and certifying an anti-bribery management system testifies to a diligent organisational choice aimed at the prevention of corruption, and can therefore help mitigate the risk of sanctions being imposed on your business.
  • Legality rating: businesses that hold ISO 37001 certification are entitled to apply for a legality rating from the competition and market authority.
  • Economic: the increased effectiveness of the instruments for combating bribery reduces the risk of the costs and negative consequences in general connected with corruption.
  • Image: certifying an organisation’s anti-bribery management system adds value to the process it has undertaken and is an effective means of communicating its policies and confirming its commitment to making a positive contribution to the creation of a market free from the distorting effects of bribery.

Why opt for CSQ ISO 37001 certification from IMQ?

The more authoritative the awarding body, the higher the value of your management system certification in the market. IMQ is Italy’s leading conformity assessment body and is one of the top players by number of certifications issued, within the framework of management system certification. Its auditors operate nationwide and, backed up by long experience and up-to-date skills, provide a useful service not only to organisations, but also to the latter’s customers, consumers and stakeholders.

 Certification for CSQ schemes is awarded to organisations that operate in accordance with the applicable standards. Certificates are valid for three years. The audits are planned on the basis of the customer’s requirements and in accordance with international standards. After the award of the certificate, the organisation undergoes periodic audits and an overall system review every three years. The auditors make on-site visits to organisations to analyse their ability to plan and manage their business processes. Management system certification is the endorsement enjoyed by organisations that have chosen to equip themselves with efficient management systems and suitable skills and structures, aimed at continuous improvement. And the higher the prestige of the awarding body, the higher the value of the guarantee. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, our laboratories have full capability to put products through all the checks required by the major European directives and international standards. The certifications issued by IMQ are synonymous with trust. They guarantee safety, performance, efficiency and quality standards. More than 10,000 companies have turned to IMQ to certify their products and stand out on the market. Notified body for the main EU directives, IMQ offers tests and CE certifications to assess the conformity of the products to the requirements required to be marketed on the European market. Inspections and audits validate the conformity of electrical installations, equipment, supplies and services with the applicable technical and legislative specifications.