Anti-corruption standards

Supplier risk must also be addressed from the angle of preventing corruption. Especially since the Sapin 2 law of 2016,on transparency, the fight against corruption and the modernization of economic life, a risk against which companies must protect themselves, within their own ranks or as principals to dishonest suppliers. In particular, this law institutes protection for whistle-blowers.

For internal organization, companies – and their purchasing departments in particular – can draw on the voluntary ISO 37001 standard “Anti-corruption management systems – Requirements and recommendations for implementation”. It defines requirements and provides recommendations for establishing, implementing, maintaining, reviewing and improving an anti-corruption management system. It is a certifiable standard: a company wishing to demonstrate that it applies it in every respect can request a certification audit.

The ISO 37001 standard provides an instruction manual to ensure that the company, its staff and subcontractors take all possible steps to protect themselves against all forms of corruption. Based on the structure of major management standards such as ISO 9001 for quality and ISO 14001 for the environment, it systematizes exercises such as risk identification and employee awareness-raising. And to harmonize practices between subsidiaries within the same group. In terms of anti-corruption, it’s a useful tool for those with operations in high-risk countries, where bribes are commonplace.