Module 10:  The benefits and requirements of ISO 37001

How can ISO 37001 benefit an organisation (1)?

ISO 37001 helps avoid the adverse consequences of bribery

Bribery can have very serious adverse consequences for an organisation:

  • If the organisation’s personnel, or any of its business associates (e.g. joint venture partners, contractors, consultants, suppliers or agents) pay a bribe on behalf of, or for the benefit of the organisation, the organisation could suffer adverse consequences:
    • criminal law consequences:  the organisation could be prosecuted, and, if found guilty could be fined, be debarred from contracts, and suffer reputational damage
    • civil law consequences: contracts could be terminated, and the organisation could have to pay damages to affected parties for the consequences of the bribery.
  • If the organisation’s personnel are bribed by business associates (e.g. the organisation’s procurement manager is bribed to award a contract to a supplier, or the organisation’s supervisor is bribed to approve defective work), then the organisation will be the victim of the bribery and may place contracts at inflated prices, or receive defective work in consequence.
  • Bribery can adversely affect the organisation’s non-corrupt personnel.  They may have money extorted from them by threats, or may be coerced into corrupt acts by bullying or threat of dismissal from employment.

It is therefore in the interests of an organisation and all its ethical personnel to take reasonable and proportionate steps to prevent bribery from occurring.  It is normally far cheaper and less disruptive for an organisation to implement controls to prevent bribery from occurring than to deal with the consequences if bribery does occur. 

ISO 37001, as a highly effective anti-bribery management system, can therefore protect the organisation and its personnel from the above adverse consequences.

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January 2025
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