ISO 37001:2025 – Building Stronger Anti-Bribery Foundations for Australian Organisations
Bribery is a persistent global challenge, undermining trust in organisations and exposing them to serious legal and reputational risk. To support businesses in addressing this issue proactively, the International Organization for Standardization has released ISO 37001:2025, the latest revision of its Anti-Bribery Management Systems (ABMS) standard.
At Stopline, we welcome the new standard as a timely reminder that preventing bribery is not just a compliance obligation—it’s a core element of ethical leadership. As Australia’s longest-serving whistleblower hotline service, we work with hundreds of organisations to embed integrity into business practices and provide safe pathways for reporting wrongdoing.
What is ISO 37001:2025?
ISO 37001:2025 is the updated version of the original ISO 37001:2016 standard. It outlines requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, reviewing, and improving an anti-bribery management system.
The standard applies to organisations of all types, sizes, and sectors and is designed to:
Prevent, detect, and respond to bribery
Promote a culture of transparency and compliance
Provide assurance to management, shareholders, regulators, and stakeholders
Key Updates in ISO 37001:2025
While the core structure of the standard remains consistent with the ISO High-Level Structure (HLS), the 2025 revision includes several important updates to reflect the evolving risk environment:
1. Enhanced Focus on Third-Party Risk
The new version introduces stronger requirements for assessing and managing third-party relationships, including intermediaries, agents, suppliers, and contractors. This aligns with growing global concerns about corruption in complex supply chains.
2. Greater Emphasis on Leadership and Culture
ISO 37001:2025 highlights the role of leadership in setting the tone from the top. It reinforces that an effective ABMS must be supported by ethical behaviour at all levels, not just documented policies.
3. Integrated Risk Management
The revised standard calls for anti-bribery risk assessments to be integrated into broader enterprise risk management (ERM) systems, ensuring a coordinated and consistent approach across the organisation.
4. Improved Whistleblower Protections
While ISO 37001 has always required secure reporting mechanisms, the 2025 update strengthens these provisions, encouraging anonymous, confidential, and non-retaliatory reporting—an area where Stopline’s services play a critical role.
5. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
New guidance is provided on the use of data analytics and performance indicators to monitor effectiveness, drive accountability, and support ongoing improvements to the ABMS.
Why ISO 37001:2025 Matters More Than Ever
In today’s environment—where businesses are subject to increasing scrutiny by regulators, investors, and the public—proactive compliance is essential.
By adopting ISO 37001:2025, organisations can:
Demonstrate ethical leadership
Meet international due diligence expectations
Minimise bribery risks and regulatory exposure
Enhance reputation and stakeholder trust
Improve internal systems and accountability
Importantly, aligning with ISO 37001 can also support compliance with Australian legal frameworks, including the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and anti-corruption obligations under international trade agreements.
How Stopline Supports ISO 37001 Compliance
For over two decades, Stopline has been a trusted partner to Australian organisations in building robust whistleblower and integrity frameworks. We can support your ISO 37001:2025 journey through:
✅ Whistleblower Hotline & Reporting Platform
Our Make a Report platform and Stopline’s 24/7 reporting service provide the secure, confidential channels required under ISO 37001. Reports can be made via phone, web, QR code, or mobile access.
✅ Anti-Bribery Policy & Program Design
We assist organisations in developing anti-bribery policies, risk assessments, and due diligence tools tailored to their industry, risk profile, and regulatory obligations.
✅ Independent Investigation & Response
Our experienced team—many with law enforcement, forensic, and compliance backgrounds—can manage bribery-related investigations with discretion and objectivity.
✅ Training & Awareness Programs
Stopline offers tailored education programs to embed ethical culture, identify bribery red flags, and meet training obligations under ISO 37001.
✅ Integration with Broader Compliance
We help clients align anti-bribery practices with other frameworks, including AS 8001:2021 Fraud and Corruption Control, ISO 37301 Compliance Management, and psychosocial risk governance.
Ready to Meet the ISO 37001:2025 Standard?
Whether you are seeking certification or simply want to uplift your internal controls, ISO 37001:2025 is a powerful benchmark for anti-bribery maturity.
Stopline is here to support you—not just with reporting tools, but as a full-service partner in integrity, compliance, and risk management.