ISO 37001:2016
Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS)
SQNet Assessments, as an independent certification body, provides impartial ISO 37001:2016 audit and certification services, enabling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and effective anti-bribery controls.
ISO 37001:2016 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS)
Bribery and corruption pose significant risks to organizations, undermining ethical business practices, damaging reputations, and exposing organizations to legal and financial penalties. ISO 37001:2016 is the internationally recognized standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS).
Understanding ISO 37001:2016
ISO 37001:2016 applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors, including public, private, and non-profit organizations. The standard is designed to help organizations prevent, detect, and respond to bribery risks associated with their activities, business partners, and personnel.
The standard addresses bribery in various forms, including direct and indirect bribery, bribery by or of employees, agents, contractors, suppliers, and other third parties.
Purpose of ISO 37001 Certification
Certification to ISO 37001:2016 demonstrates that an organization has implemented reasonable and proportionate measures to prevent bribery and promote ethical behavior. It provides independent assurance that anti-bribery policies, procedures, and controls are in place and effectively managed.
ISO 37001 certification supports regulatory compliance, strengthens stakeholder confidence, and helps organizations reduce the risk of bribery-related incidents and associated consequences.
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Key Elements of an Anti-Bribery Management System
ISO 37001:2016 requires organizations to establish an ABMS that includes the following key elements:
Anti-bribery policy and ethical commitments
Leadership responsibility and oversight
Bribery risk assessment and risk management
Due diligence on business associates
Financial and non-financial controls
Controls over gifts, hospitality, donations, and sponsorships
ISO 37001 Certification Process
The ISO 37001 certification process conducted by SQNet Assessments follows internationally accepted certification practices to ensure impartial and objective evaluation.
Application & Scope Definition
The certification process begins with an application, during which the scope of the ABMS is defined. This includes identification of activities, locations, and business relationships exposed to bribery risks.
Audit & Evaluation
Certification audits are conducted in two stages:
Stage 1 Audit – Reviews ABMS documentation, risk assessments, and organizational readiness
Stage 2 Audit – Evaluates effective implementation of anti-bribery controls, monitoring processes, and compliance mechanisms
Audits assess leadership commitment, risk management, due diligence, financial controls, and reporting mechanisms.
Certification Decision
Following successful audit completion and closure of any identified nonconformities, SQNet Assessments conducts an independent certification decision review before issuing the ISO 37001:2016 certificate.
Certification Validity & Surveillance Audits
ISO 37001:2016 certification is valid for three years, subject to annual surveillance audits. Surveillance audits ensure continued compliance, effectiveness of the ABMS, and continual improvement in anti-bribery practices.
Integration with Other Management Systems
ISO 37001:2016 is designed to integrate with other ISO management system standards, such as:
ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
ISO 45001 – Occupational Health & Safety
ISO 37301 – Compliance Management Systems
Integrated management systems support consistent governance and efficient audits.
Commitment to Impartial Certification
SQNet Assessments is committed to delivering transparent, impartial, and credible ISO 37001:2016 certification services. Our structured audit methodology, competent auditors, and adherence to international certification principles ensure confidence in certification outcomes.
Promoting Ethical Business Practices
ISO 37001:2016 certification demonstrates an organization’s proactive approach to preventing bribery and fostering an ethical business culture. With SQNet Assessments as a trusted certification partner, organizations can strengthen anti-bribery controls, enhance corporate integrity, and build long-term stakeholder trust.
Key Benefits of ISO 37001
- Demonstrates commitment to ethical and transparent business practices
- Reduces bribery and corruption risks
- Enhances trust among customers, partners, and regulators
- Supports compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations
- Strengthens organizational governance and accountability
Key Changes in ISO 37001
- Alignment with the latest ISO management system structure
- Simplified and modernized Annex A controls
- Better integration with risk management and business objectives
- Enhanced focus on cloud security, threat intelligence, and data protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification is an independent verification process that confirms an organization’s management system, product, or service complies with applicable international standards. It enhances credibility, builds customer trust, and demonstrates commitment to quality, safety, and compliance.
Certification is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors, including manufacturing, service, IT, healthcare, construction, education, and public sector organizations, subject to the applicable standard and scope.
SQNet Assessments provides certification services for various international management system standards, including quality, environmental, occupational health & safety, information security, business continuity, and other applicable ISO and sector-specific standards.
The certification timeline depends on the organization’s size, scope, complexity, and readiness level. Typically, the process may take a few weeks to a few months from application to certificate issuance.
Most management system certifications are valid for three years, subject to successful completion of annual surveillance audits.
Stage 1 audit reviews documentation and readiness for certification.
Stage 2 audit evaluates effective implementation of the management system.
You can apply through the SQNet Assessments website or contact the team directly.
