Understand how to implement an anti-bribery management system (ABMS) to the requirements of ISO 37001.
Prove and maintain your organisation’s integrity. Meet the stringent requirements of the Bribery Act.
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For many, corporate hospitality oils the wheels of commerce. But where do you draw the line?
Bribes, incentives and inducements are not just a matter of used banknotes stuffed in brown envelopes. Expenses, corporate settlement of personal bills, gifts and hospitality can all be used to influence business partners, clients and contractors.
Under the Bribery Act 2010, a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine may be imposed for offering, promising, giving, requesting, agreeing, receiving or accepting bribes.
With such strict penalties, it’s astonishing that so few companies have few or no measures in place to ensure that they are not liable for prosecution. The Ministry of Justice’s quick start guide to the Bribery Act makes it clear that “There is a full defence if you can show you had adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery”.
Such procedures can be found in ISO 37001, the international standard for ABMSs.
ISO 37001: An Introduction to Anti-Bribery Management Systems explains how to implement an ABMS that meets the requirements of ISO 37001, from the initial gap analysis to due diligence management, and covers the following:
The book provides helpful guidance on the importance of clearly defining policies; logging gifts and hospitality in auditable records; ensuring a consistent approach across the organisation; controls for contractors; facilitation payments; and charitable and political donations.
Not only will an ISO 37001-compliant ABMS help your organisation prove its probity by meeting the stringent requirements of the Bribery Act but it can also be adapted to most legal or compliance systems.
An ethical approach to business is not just a legal obligation but a way to protect your reputation.
Alan Field, MA, LL.B (Hons), PgC, MCQI CQP, MIIRSM, GIFireE, GradIOSH is a Chartered Quality Professional, an IRCA Registered Lead Auditor and member of the Society of Authors.
Alan has expertise in auditing and assessing ABMSs to ISO 37001 and public-sector counter-fraud systems to ISO 9001. Alan has many years’ experience with quality and integrated management systems in the legal, financial, property and project management sectors in auditing, assessment and gap analysis roles.