Module 10: The benefits and requirements of ISO 37001
There is likely to be a cost to an organisation of implementing an ISO 37001 compliant ABMS. The organisation needs to put sufficient resources into the design and implementation of the programme so that it works effectively.
It is impossible to specify a figure on this likely cost, as it will entirely depend on the size of the organisation, and the status of its existing ABMS (if any).
Some organisations will already have implemented an ABMS which is compliant with ISO 37001, and in this case may not need to incur any additional expenditure. Other organisations may need only to implement some limited enhancements. At the other end of the spectrum, some organisations may have very limited or no anti-bribery controls in place, and may therefore need to incur the time and expense to put an effective control environment in place.
The actual cost will depend on many factors such as the size of the organisation, the complexity of its structure and operations, where it does business, the number of interactions it has with other organisations etc. The cost will also depend on whether you have sufficiently knowledgeable personnel inhouse who can implement the ABMS, or whether you need to hire an external consultant to assist.
If the organisation chooses to get its programme independently certified, then there will also be the cost of certification. This cost is also likely to vary according to the size and structure of the organisation (which is the same as with e.g. ISO 9001).
The cost of implementing the anti-bribery programme and (if applicable) obtaining certification is unlikely to be a competitive disadvantage. If, for example, a procuring entity requires all its bidders to be certified to ISO 37001, then all bidders will be required to bear the cost and so will be on an equivalent footing. Where certification to ISO 37001 is not a tender requirement, organisations may find it a competitive advantage to be certified, as they will be able to show the procuring entity that they have an ABMS in place which may gain them an advantage in the procurement evaluation.
Even if the above tender advantages do not apply, the cost of implementing the anti-bribery programme and obtaining certification is likely to be minimal when compared to the loss and damage which could be suffered by an organisation which gets involved in bribery. Having such a system can help prevent this loss and damage, and therefore save money.
January 2025
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