ABAC Center of Excellence explains ISO 37001’s role against bribery and corruption

In 2019, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rolled out the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) to address the growing world outcry against bribery and corruption. To fortify their anti-bribery management systems, proactive organisations are protecting themselves by establishing “adequate procedures” as a compliance defense in the event of a bribery accusation.

But what would warrant “adequate procedures”? Made famous through the UK Bribery Act of 2010, the term presents the potential of a company to avoid liability for failing to prevent bribery if that organisation can fully demonstrate clear, sound and established policies and procedures that deter individuals (inside and outside of the organisation) from partaking in questionable or corrupt conduct.