Businesses worldwide are facing increasing scrutiny over ethical practices, legal compliance and transparency. Governments, regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders are placing greater emphasis on corporate responsibility and anti-corruption measures, and consumers are increasingly demanding greater transparency from the businesses they support. This growing pressure has led to an increased focus on certification schemes that can verify organizations’ commitment to high standards of governance and integrity.

In December 2024, IAF Members agreed to extend the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) to include Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS) and Compliance Management Systems (CMS). The extension adds ISO 37001:2016 for ABMS and ISO 37301:2021 for CMS as Level 5 sub-scopes, with ISO/IEC TS 17021-9:2016 for ABMS and ISO/IEC TS 17021-13:2021 for CMS as the corresponding Level 4 sub-scopes.

ISO 37001 provides a framework for organizations to implement effective anti-bribery management systems, helping organizations prevent, detect and respond to bribery. By obtaining accredited certification to this standard, organizations can demonstrate a proactive commitment to ethical business practices, building stakeholder confidence and reducing exposure to potential legal and reputational damage. The standard fosters continuous improvement, enabling businesses to adapt to evolving risks and regulatory requirements over time.

ISO 37301 outlines requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving a compliance management system, ensuring that businesses can comply with applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards. It helps organizations establish a proactive approach to managing compliance by embedding legal and ethical requirements into their core processes. It provides a clear framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating compliance risks, ensuring that businesses remain aligned with evolving laws and regulations. By implementing ISO 37301, businesses can build a strong foundation of trust with stakeholders, minimize legal risks and enhance operational transparency.

ISO/IEC TS 17021-9 and ISO/IEC TS 17021-13 complement ISO/IEC 17021‑1, providing specific competence requirements for personnel involved in the certification process for ABMS and CMS.

The addition of ABMS and CMS to the IAF MLA enables mutual recognition of accredited certification for these scopes by IAF MLA signatories, allowing for its acceptance in multiple markets based on one accreditation and one certification. This can support businesses in expanding into international markets where anti-corruption and compliance requirements are stringent.

‘Extending the IAF MLA to include Anti-Bribery Management Systems and Compliance Management Systems is a significant advancement in supporting organizations committed to ethical business practices and regulatory compliance,’ said Emanuele Riva, IAF Chair. ‘This decision by IAF Members strengthens global efforts to promote transparency, integrity and accountability within organizations, offering them the tools they need to build trust with stakeholders and navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.’

By extending the IAF MLA to ABMS and CMS, IAF aims to foster a more transparent and responsible corporate landscape, supporting organizations that seek to prevent corruption, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and uphold ethical practices.

View the full list of IAF MLA scopes here.