Anti-Bribery Management System with ISO 37001

Anti-Bribery Management System with ISO 37001

ISO Standards are a set of international standards developed to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and consistency in different products, services, and systems established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO 37001 is an international standard that defines the requirements and provides guidance for implementing an anti-bribery management system within organizations. Its main objective is to assist in the prevention, detection, and response to bribery, as well as to contribute to establishing a culture of integrity, transparency, and compliance among all members of the organization.

Get to know the key aspects addressed by ISO 37001:

1. Scope of application: The standard can be applied to any organization, regardless of its size, sector, or geographic location. It can be established as an independent management system or integrated with other management systems.
2. Management system requirements: The standard sets out the requirements that an organization must meet to establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve an anti-bribery management system. This includes the development of policies and procedures, the assignment of responsibilities, and the provision of adequate resources.
3. Top management commitment: Top management must demonstrate leadership and commitment to the implementation of the anti-bribery management system, including the approval of the anti-bribery policy, the assignment of responsibilities, and the allocation of adequate resources.
4. Risk assessment: The standard requires organizations to implement risk assessments to identify, evaluate, and prioritize bribery risks constantly. This helps to focus the organization’s efforts on the areas of highest risk.
5. Due diligence: The organization must conduct due diligence in transactions and business relationships, including business partners, contractors, suppliers, and employees, to ensure they are not involved in bribery activities.
6. Financial and non-financial controls: The standard establishes the need to implement financial and non-financial controls to prevent bribery. This includes: segregation of duties, authorization of transactions, and the implementation of policies on gifts, hospitality, and donations.
7. Training and awareness: The organization must promote training spaces for employees and other relevant stakeholders on anti-bribery policies and procedures, as well as on risks and how to prevent them.
8. Reporting and whistleblowing: The standard establishes the need to institute mechanisms for employees and other stakeholders to confidentially and securely report any suspicion of bribery without fear of retaliation, such as SHOGUN’s Ethics Line, which guarantees anonymity and security for the whistleblower.
9. Investigation and corrective action: The organization must establish procedures to investigate and take corrective actions in cases of suspected bribery, ensuring that appropriate remedial actions are taken to prevent recurrence.
10. Monitoring and review: The standard requires the organization to conduct periodic monitoring and reviews of the anti-bribery management system to ensure its effectiveness and introduce continuous improvements as necessary.

ISO 37001 is a powerful tool for organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to fighting corruption and bribery, advancing towards compliance with laws and regulations, improving their reputation, and increasing trust among internal and external members. SHOGUN is your best ally, and we will gladly help and guide you in the correct implementation of this ISO Standard.

Author: Guillermo Casal
International consultant and trainer in fraud prevention and investigation and anti-money laundering. He is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a Master's degree in Economics and Administration, and has six international certifications, including the CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner), CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), and CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor).