ISO 37001:2025 Anti‑Bribery Management Systems
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
PINO Switzerland – Empowering Integrity Through Certification
At PINO Switzerland, we believe that trust, transparency, and ethical behavior are not optional—they are essential. As a private and independent inspection body, we are pleased to highlight an important development in global compliance this week: the release of the updated ISO 37001:2025 Anti-Bribery Management Systems standard.
This standard helps organisations of all sizes and sectors to build systems that prevent, detect, and respond to bribery. The updated version strengthens the framework and provides more clarity, especially for leadership and compliance roles. While certification is voluntary, it reflects a serious commitment to ethical conduct, and we are proud to support organisations on this journey.
What Is ISO 37001?
ISO 37001 is an international standard that guides organisations in setting up anti-bribery policies, procedures, and controls. It aims to reduce the risk of bribery both within the organisation and with external parties such as partners, suppliers, and agents.
The newly released 2025 edition updates and expands the original 2016 version. It reflects lessons learned over the past decade and adapts to modern business risks.
Key Improvements in ISO 37001:2025
Leadership and Culture of Integrity The updated version puts greater emphasis on leadership. It requires top management not only to approve policies but to actively promote a culture of transparency and zero tolerance for bribery.
Clearer Roles and Responsibilities The 2025 edition requires clear accountability within the organisation. Individuals responsible for compliance must be given authority and independence to do their jobs effectively. This ensures better governance and internal control.
Environmental and Climate Risk Factors One of the most innovative changes is the inclusion of environmental and climate-related risks in bribery assessments. Organisations must now think about how changes in regulations or natural conditions could increase bribery risk in certain industries.
Stronger Integration with Other Management Systems ISO 37001:2025 is easier to integrate with other standards like ISO 9001 (quality management) or ISO 14001 (environmental management). This saves time and resources while supporting a more efficient compliance structure.
More Focused Risk Assessment The new edition encourages a deeper and more targeted risk analysis. Organisations are expected to continuously monitor changes in risk and adjust their controls accordingly.
Why This Matters Now
Organisations around the world are under growing pressure to demonstrate ethical conduct. Bribery can lead to legal penalties, financial loss, and permanent damage to reputation. Implementing ISO 37001:2025 shows clients, partners, and the public that your organisation takes compliance seriously.
At PINO Switzerland, we believe that ethics are not only about avoiding penalties—they are about building long-term value. Our role is to verify that your anti-bribery system works not just on paper, but in practice.
Transition Period and What to Do Next
Organisations already certified under the 2016 version of ISO 37001 have until 28 February 2027 to move to the new 2025 version. However, the updated requirements concerning climate and environmental risk are already active and should be addressed immediately.
We recommend the following steps:
Review your current anti-bribery system
Identify any gaps with the 2025 version
Train employees and management
Update risk assessments and control plans
Contact a trusted inspection body like PINO Switzerland for support
How PINO Switzerland Can Help
As a voluntary-based and independent inspection body, PINO Switzerland provides tailored support for organisations that want to achieve or maintain ISO 37001 certification. We offer:
Pre-certification audits and gap assessments
Practical advice on aligning your procedures with the new standard
Ongoing compliance checks and process reviews
Training and awareness sessions for all levels of staff
Our inspectors focus on real-world effectiveness, not just paperwork. We work closely with organisations to make sure their systems are clear, functional, and fit for purpose.
Final Thoughts
With ISO 37001:2025, organisations now have a clearer, stronger framework for preventing bribery. In today’s competitive and transparent business environment, certification can help you build trust and show leadership in integrity. At PINO Switzerland, we are ready to walk this path with you—toward a future where ethics and business success go hand in hand.
Sources
ISO 37001:2025 Standard Text
Industry summaries on ISO 37001 updates
Internal PINO Switzerland compliance framework
Case studies from recent anti-bribery audits
Global anti-corruption risk trends analysis (2023–2025)
Comments