ISO 37001

Corruption is one of the most serious risks facing organizations worldwide—regardless of industry, size, or region. It not only jeopardizes values and economic success, but also undermines the trust of employees, business partners, authorities, and the public. In an increasingly regulated world, compliance with legal requirements alone is no longer sufficient. Today, more than ever, organizations are required to take proactive measures against corruption and bribery – systematically, transparently, and effectively.

The international standard ISO 37001 provides companies and institutions with a structured framework for introducing, implementing, and continuously improving an anti-corruption management system. The focus is not on general compliance issues, but exclusively on corruption – and that is precisely where the strength of this standard lies. If corruption is the most relevant compliance risk in your organization, then ISO 37001 offers the right solution: practical, certifiable, and internationally recognized.

The ISO 37001 management system aims to effectively prevent corruption, ensure reliable compliance with legal and internal requirements, and clearly define responsibilities within the company. It creates the basis for identifying risks at an early stage, introducing appropriate control mechanisms, and promoting transparency and integrity in everyday life through targeted measures such as training and guidelines. At the same time, it supports a corporate culture in which ethical behavior and responsibility are practiced. The systematic structure of the standard also makes it possible to continuously develop the system and adapt it to changing requirements.

A particular advantage is its high compatibility with existing management systems. ISO 37001 is based on the Harmonised Structure, which is also used by standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), and ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety management). This allows an anti-corruption management system to be seamlessly integrated into existing structures. Alternatively, ISO 37001 can also be implemented as a stand-alone system or integrated into a comprehensive compliance management system based on ISO 37301. The use of existing resources and synergies significantly reduces the implementation effort.

Certification according to ISO 37001 – for example, by Quality Austria – objectively documents that your organization has not only established anti-corruption measures in theory, but has also implemented them effectively in practice. It builds trust among clients, business partners, and the public, and can be a decisive advantage, especially in international tenders. More and more customers and investors today expect clear signals of integrity and responsible conduct – with ISO 37001, you send a visible signal.

• Effectively prevent corruption

Develop and implement measures to prevent bribery and corrupt practices within the company and along the supply chain.

• Strengthen legal certainty and compliance

Ensure compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws, regulations, and internal codes of conduct.

• Clearly defining responsibilities

Defining responsibilities for anti-corruption measures (e.g., compliance officer, managers, employees).

• Identifying and managing risks

Conducting corruption risk analyses and implementing risk-based control measures.

• Promote transparency and integrity

Establish a corporate culture that supports ethical behavior and openness—for example, through training, whistleblower systems, and clear communication rules.

• Ensure continuous improvement

Monitor, audit, and regularly review the system to continuously optimize anti-corruption measures.

• Strengthen the trust of business partners and the public

Demonstrate an effective anti-corruption system to improve reputation and create trusting business relationships.

All companies and organizations

ISO 37301