An ABMS based on ISO 37001 is intended to help organizations effectively prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. Other forms of corruption, such as , are not covered by the standard. The requirements of the standard are generic and applicable to all organizations, regardless of their type, size, and sector (public, private, or not-for-profit). Furthermore, ISO 37001 can be used to tackle bribery by or of the organization as well as direct and indirect bribery.

SO 37001 follows the High-Level Structure (HLS) and shares the common terminology with other management system standards developed by ISO. This means that an ABMS can either be established as a stand-alone management system, be part of an overall compliance management system based on ISO 37301, or be integrated with other management systems based on standards such as ISO 37002, ISO 9001, and ISO 45001. 

ISO 37001 benefits to organizations

Implementing an ABMS based on ISO 37001 can be a good strategic decision to demonstrate an organization’s commitment to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. Organizations seeking an effective ABMS will have to demonstrate their commitment to prevent bribery by establishing policies, procedures, and controls which contribute in reducing bribery risks. Nevertheless, the requirements of ISO 37001 are generic; therefore, organizations will have plenty of freedom to establish an ABMS which best suits their needs. 

Some of the benefits that organizations would obtain by implementing an ABMS based on ISO 37001 include:

• Improved ability to detect, prevent, and respond to bribery by or of the organization
• Opportunity to certify the ABMS by undergoing a conformity assessment from an accredited conformity assessment body
• Establishment of processes that allow proper due diligence of prospective personnel and business associates
• Opportunity to contribute in the global fight against bribery
• Opportunity to shape, improve, or transform the culture of an organization
• Improved ability to respond, mitigate, and deal with the consequences if a bribery case occurs
• In certain jurisdictions, the existence of an internal mechanism to address bribery issues can reduce penalties in cases of wrongdoing

ISO 37001:2016 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, reviewing and improving an anti-bribery management system. The system can be stand-alone or can be integrated into an overall management system. ISO 37001:2016 addresses the following in relation to the organization's activities:

· bribery in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors;

· bribery by the organization;

· bribery by the organization's personnel acting on the organization's behalf or for its benefit;

· bribery by the organization's business associates acting on the organization's behalf or for its benefit;

· bribery of the organization;

· bribery of the organization's personnel in relation to the organization's activities;

· bribery of the organization's business associates in relation to the organization's activities;

· direct and indirect bribery (e.g. a bribe offered or accepted through or by a third party).

ISO 37001:2016 is applicable only to bribery. It sets out requirements and provides guidance for a management system designed to help an organization to prevent, detect and respond to bribery and comply with anti-bribery laws and voluntary commitments applicable to its activities.

An ABMS based on ISO 37001 is intended to help organizations effectively prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. Other forms of corruption, such as , are not covered by the standard. The requirements of the standard are generic and applicable to all organizations, regardless of their type, size, and sector (public, private, or not-for-profit). Furthermore, ISO 37001 can be used to tackle bribery by or of the organization as well as direct and indirect bribery.

SO 37001 follows the High-Level Structure (HLS) and shares the common terminology with other management system standards developed by ISO. This means that an ABMS can either be established as a stand-alone management system, be part of an overall compliance management system based on ISO 37301, or be integrated with other management systems based on standards such as ISO 37002, ISO 9001, and ISO 45001. 

ISO 37001 benefits to organizations

Implementing an ABMS based on ISO 37001 can be a good strategic decision to demonstrate an organization’s commitment to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. Organizations seeking an effective ABMS will have to demonstrate their commitment to prevent bribery by establishing policies, procedures, and controls which contribute in reducing bribery risks. Nevertheless, the requirements of ISO 37001 are generic; therefore, organizations will have plenty of freedom to establish an ABMS which best suits their needs. 

Some of the benefits that organizations would obtain by implementing an ABMS based on ISO 37001 include:

• Improved ability to detect, prevent, and respond to bribery by or of the organization
• Opportunity to certify the ABMS by undergoing a conformity assessment from an accredited conformity assessment body
• Establishment of processes that allow proper due diligence of prospective personnel and business associates
• Opportunity to contribute in the global fight against bribery
• Opportunity to shape, improve, or transform the culture of an organization
• Improved ability to respond, mitigate, and deal with the consequences if a bribery case occurs
• In certain jurisdictions, the existence of an internal mechanism to address bribery issues can reduce penalties in cases of wrongdoing

ISO 37001:2016 specifies requirements and provides guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, reviewing and improving an anti-bribery management system. The system can be stand-alone or can be integrated into an overall management system. ISO 37001:2016 addresses the following in relation to the organization's activities:

· bribery in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors;

· bribery by the organization;

· bribery by the organization's personnel acting on the organization's behalf or for its benefit;

· bribery by the organization's business associates acting on the organization's behalf or for its benefit;

· bribery of the organization;

· bribery of the organization's personnel in relation to the organization's activities;

· bribery of the organization's business associates in relation to the organization's activities;

· direct and indirect bribery (e.g. a bribe offered or accepted through or by a third party).

ISO 37001:2016 is applicable only to bribery. It sets out requirements and provides guidance for a management system designed to help an organization to prevent, detect and respond to bribery and comply with anti-bribery laws and voluntary commitments applicable to its activities.