QIC Global and Bluewolf are the same company.
QIC Global and Bluewolf are the same company.
An anti-bribery management system is a safety lock that allows the management to respond to adverse situations and comply with anti-bribery laws. ISO 37001 is the globally acknowledged standard providing practical clauses for detecting, preventing, and responding to bribery. The bribery risks are growing to be more uncertain globally. Identity theft and bribery are the two common and consistent issues among business organizations. They put market sustainability efforts at stake and sabotage the brand establishment initiatives. The certification is a strategic plan that offers a competitive edge and enhances the efficiency level of the management.
The growing awareness among small and medium-sized companies implies that certification is now mandatory. Therefore, the question, “How do I get ISO 37001 certified?” appears frequently on internet searches. Small and medium-sized company owners often resort to service providers for audits and other analyses. Professional experts not only clear terminology-related doubts but also help meet compliance requirements.
The following blog discusses the precise ways the experts suggest to obtain the certification. It has discussed the advantages as well.
Step 1—Clear the terms and understand the standard—What is an anti-bribery management standard? What are the clauses? These are some of the fundamental questions one should have answers to. Reviewing the standard to understand what is needed and which resources to optimize is essential. Management and other stakeholders must participate in a session where the key terms and definitions will be discussed. This way, the entire team would have a comprehensive knowledge of each other’s roles.
Step 2 – Commitment from the management – A responsible management team is crucial to a successful certification. The next step is securing a commitment from the management personnel. Leadership is crucial in the entire process. In the implementation and maintenance of the anti-bribery management protocol, proactive support from the managers is pivotal. A committed and devoted team of workers and managers augment the effectiveness of the system. Once the ISO certification is achieved, a company must comply with the regulations for three consecutive years. It is mandatory to renew the certification, which is valid for 3 years. Therefore, strong surveillance and maintenance are a must.
Step 3 – Assessment of the risks – When the fundamental agenda is to minimize bribery-related incidents, risk assessment is more than a necessity. As part of the implementation and certification process, risk assessment is common in most standards. Especially for anti-bribery management, risk detection, assessment, aggregation, and subsequent prevention are obligatory. Without identifying the potential threats and taking actions to reduce their occurrence, the system will not cooperate with the objectives. Therefore, a company must invest enough time and relevant human and technical resources for a comprehensive assessment. The management must prioritize the mitigation strategies as per the budget and existing resources.
Step 4 – Development of policies – Policy development is critical. If a clear and concise set of anti-bribery policies is not established and circulated, individual working teams can never achieve their goals. The policy must outline the predominant stance of the organization on the expected behavior in bribery detection and prevention. The management is the responsible stakeholder in developing the policies and generating awareness. Their proactive level should be high.
Step 5 – Process development – Once the policies are designed and discussed, a detailed procedure manual must be created. It needs to include reporting techniques, due diligence on the partners in business, financial controls, and many more. While developing the procedures, the management must keep in mind that the actions must comply with the clauses. The inclusion and mobilization of relevant resources (financial, technical, and human) should be included in the manual.
Step 6 – Competence assessment and training – To meet compliance, competence analysis is important. The management must determine whether the existing employees are fit for accomplishing the expectation. Competence assessment and training are two essential parts of the certification process, which more than 50% of companies ignore. Identify how much training and awareness are required. Plan/organize a training and workshop session for your employees. Alongside, boost their morale so that they feel valued and proactive.
Step 7 – Internal audits – The internal audit part is the most crucial among other assessments. It determines the compliance ground as it evaluates the performance of the implemented actions. Through stage 1 and 2 audit rounds, the management acquires a vivid idea about what is left to be done. The non-conformities are highlighted, which helps the authority to make necessary amendments.
Step 8 – Certification body selection – Once the audit completes its actions, changes are to be implemented for the readiness. The management is now responsible for selecting a certification body, that will conduct another round of audits. After receiving the certification, until the validity expires, a yearly surveillance audit should be organized.
To know more about the certification and audit procedures, get in touch with QIC Global. It is the most reliable service provider that offers comprehensive help. Their experience in the industry and skills are unmatched. Their professional support to know about “how do I get iso 37001 certified” or audits makes the process hassle-free.
