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 and ISO 37301 are leading international standards for organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to combating bribery and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. ISO 37001 provides a framework for organizations to implement effective anti-bribery management systems, helping them prevent, detect and respond to bribery. ISO 37301 sets out requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving a compliance management system, ensuring that businesses can comply with applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards.

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.’

Businesses worldwide are facing increasing scrutiny over ethical practices, legal compliance and transparency. By expanding 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.