June 1 - The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) anti-bribery standard in development is making progress and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2016, says the organisation.
"During the past 15 years, many countries have made efforts at the national and international level to tackle bribery. Treaties have been signed and laws improved, and many countries are now prosecuting bribery offences. However, there is still work to be done," said an ISO statement.
"At the organisational level, bribery affects tendering and contract implementation, and increases costs and risks. One way organisations can help address this issue is by implementing anti-bribery management controls equivalent to those for quality and safety."
The organisation is working on the development of standard ISO 37001 to help large, medium and small organisations from the public and private sectors, and from any country, to prevent bribery and promote an ethical business culture. The standard specifies anti-bribery measures and controls and includes guidance for their implementation.
Neill Stansbury, chair of the ISO committee developing the standard, said: "ISO 37001 will help an organisation comply with international anti-bribery good practice and legal requirements. It will also reassure the organisation's owners, management, employees and business associates that the organisation is following ethical business practices and reducing risks of financial loss and prosecution. It will therefore, ultimately, provide a competitive advantage to organisations."
In the next issue of HLPFI, look out for an interview with president of anti-bribery association TRACE International, Alexandra Wrage, which discusses some of the ways that project forwarding companies can address the issue of bribery in the shipping industry.
