Standards Comparison

    ISO 37001

    Voluntary
    2025

    International standard for anti-bribery management systems

    VS

    AS9120B

    Mandatory
    2016

    Aerospace QMS standard for distributors of unaltered parts.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 37001 provides anti-bribery management for all organizations worldwide, mitigating corruption risks through due diligence and controls. AS9120B ensures quality in aerospace distribution via traceability and counterfeit prevention. Companies adopt them for compliance, risk reduction, and market access.

    Anti-Bribery/Compliance

    ISO 37001

    ISO 37001:2025 Anti-bribery management systems

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based bribery assessment and proportionate controls
    • Third-party due diligence and monitoring requirements
    • Leadership commitment with anti-bribery compliance function
    • PDCA cycle for continual improvement and audits
    • Internationally certifiable ABMS framework
    Quality Management

    AS9120B

    AS9120B Quality Management Systems - Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Counterfeit and suspected unapproved parts prevention
    • Robust traceability and chain-of-custody controls
    • Enhanced external provider evaluation and flowdown
    • Configuration management for distribution processes
    • Risk-based planning integrated with operations

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 37001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37001:2025 is an international certifiable standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS). It provides requirements to prevent, detect, and respond to bribery risks across organizations. Scope covers direct/indirect bribery by/for the organization, personnel, and associates. Employs a risk-based PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach via clauses 4-10.

    Key Components

    • Leadership commitment, anti-bribery policy, compliance function.
    • Bribery risk assessment, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls.
    • Training, awareness, reporting, investigations.
    • Monitoring, audits, management review, continual improvement. Built on Harmonized Structure (HS) for integration; optional third-party certification with 3-year cycles.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mitigates legal risks (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act), reduces liability via evidentiary "reasonable steps." Drives efficiencies (15% compliance cost cuts), boosts reputation, ESG alignment, stakeholder trust. Enables market access, third-party risk control (95% cases involve third parties).

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control design, training, audits. Scalable for all sizes/sectors; 6-12 months typical. Involves policy rollout, due diligence, PDCA cycles; certification via accredited bodies.

    AS9120B Details

    What It Is

    AS9120B is the IAQG quality management system standard for aviation, space, and defense distributors that procure, store, split, and resell parts without altering characteristics. Built on ISO 9001:2015's 10-clause structure, it employs a risk-based approach to mitigate distribution risks like traceability loss and counterfeits.

    Key Components

    • Over 100 aerospace-specific requirements beyond ISO 9001.
    • Core areas: context analysis, leadership, risk planning, support resources, operational controls (traceability, counterfeit prevention, supplier management), performance evaluation, and improvement.
    • Emphasizes chain-of-custody, external provider controls, and documented information.
    • Certification via accredited bodies with IAQG OASIS listing.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enables market access to OEMs and primes requiring certification.
    • Reduces risks of nonconformities, recalls, and liabilities.
    • Builds customer trust through proven QMS rigor.
    • Drives efficiency in operations and supply chain resilience.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased approach: gap analysis, process design, training, internal audits, certification (6-12 months typical).
    • Applies to distributors globally; scales by organization size.
    • Involves audits (Stage 1/2) and ongoing surveillance.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 37001
    Anti-bribery management systems (ABMS)
    AS9120B
    Aerospace parts distribution quality management

    Industry

    ISO 37001
    All sectors worldwide, any organization size
    AS9120B
    Aerospace distribution, aviation/space/defense

    Nature

    ISO 37001
    Voluntary certifiable management standard
    AS9120B
    Voluntary aerospace quality certification standard

    Testing

    ISO 37001
    Internal audits, management reviews, certification audits
    AS9120B
    Internal audits, process audits, Stage 1/2 certification

    Penalties

    ISO 37001
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    AS9120B
    Loss of certification, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 37001 and AS9120B

    ISO 37001 FAQ

    AS9120B FAQ

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