Standards Comparison

    ISO 9001

    Voluntary
    2015

    International standard for quality management systems

    VS

    ISO 37001

    Voluntary
    2025

    International standard for anti-bribery management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 9001 ensures quality management for operational excellence across industries, while ISO 37001 establishes anti-bribery systems to prevent corruption risks. Companies adopt ISO 9001 for efficiency and trust, ISO 37001 for legal protection and ethical compliance.

    Quality Management

    ISO 9001

    ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems — Requirements

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based thinking embedded in all processes
    • Seven quality management principles foundation
    • PDCA cycle for continual improvement
    • High-Level Structure for standard integration
    • Applicable to any organization size/sector
    Anti-Bribery/Compliance

    ISO 37001

    ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management Systems

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

    Key Features

    • Risk-based bribery risk assessments
    • Third-party due diligence requirements
    • Leadership commitment and policy
    • Financial and non-financial controls
    • PDCA continual improvement cycle

    Detailed Analysis

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

    ISO 9001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 9001:2015 is the international certification standard for quality management systems (QMS). It specifies requirements for organizations to consistently meet customer and regulatory needs through a process-based approach using PDCA cycle and risk-based thinking.

    Key Components

    • 10 clauses (4-10 auditable): context, leadership, planning, support, operation, evaluation, improvement
    • Built on **7 quality principlescustomer focus, leadership, engagement, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationships
    • Annex SL for integration with other ISO standards
    • Voluntary third-party certification with audits

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enhances customer satisfaction, efficiency, risk management
    • Boosts market access, reputation, compliance
    • Drives cost savings, continual improvement
    • Builds stakeholder trust via 1M+ global certifications

    Implementation Overview

    • Gap analysis, process mapping, training, internal audits
    • 6-12 months typical; scalable to any size/industry
    • Certification via accredited bodies; ongoing surveillance

    ISO 37001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 37001 is the international standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS), a certifiable framework for preventing, detecting, and responding to bribery. It applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors, focusing on risk-based measures proportionate to bribery exposure, following the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle and ISO Harmonized Structure.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 cover context, leadership, planning, support, operations, evaluation, and improvement.
    • Core elements: anti-bribery policy, risk assessments, due diligence, financial/non-financial controls, training, reporting, audits.
    • Built on proportionality; certification via accredited bodies with 3-year cycles and surveillance audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates legal risks (e.g., FCPA, UK Bribery Act) and penalties.
    • Enhances reputation, stakeholder trust, ESG alignment.
    • Drives efficiencies (up to 15% compliance cost reduction), third-party governance.
    • Provides evidentiary defense in investigations.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, risk assessment, control design, training, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals; integrates with ISO 9001/27001.
    • Typical 6-12 months to certification; requires documented evidence and leadership commitment. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 9001
    Quality management systems, processes, continual improvement
    ISO 37001
    Anti-bribery management, bribery prevention, detection, response

    Industry

    ISO 9001
    All industries, any size, global applicability
    ISO 37001
    All sectors, high-risk corruption areas emphasized, worldwide

    Nature

    ISO 9001
    Voluntary certifiable management system standard
    ISO 37001
    Voluntary certifiable anti-bribery management standard

    Testing

    ISO 9001
    Internal audits, management reviews, third-party certification
    ISO 37001
    Internal audits, compliance reviews, third-party certification

    Penalties

    ISO 9001
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    ISO 37001
    Loss of certification, supports legal mitigation evidence

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 9001 and ISO 37001

    ISO 9001 FAQ

    ISO 37001 FAQ

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