
Compliance is becoming increasingly important worldwide. Honesty and integrity are now key factors in successful corporate governance within the EU and many other parts of the world. The standard is an internationally recognised framework that certifies the implementation and maintenance of a compliance management system. As recommended in ISO 37301, the CMS can be integrated into the organisation’s management system.
ISO 37301 describes in detail how a CMS must be structured to comply with international legal standards and regulations. The standard sets out requirements for the establishment, implementation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the CMS, and also stipulates adherence to social and ethical values. However, the requirements can be adapted and tailored within certain limits depending on the size of the organisation and the maturity of the CMS.
Compliance management systems (CMS) are widely used. They are now also employed by many small and medium-sized enterprises.
The target audience for ISO 37301 certification includes organisations of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises, that wish to implement and maintain a compliance management system (CMS). This certification is aimed at organisations that wish to comply with international legal standards and regulations and integrate social and ethical values into their corporate governance.

ISO 37301 plays a crucial role in the context of sustainability by helping organisations establish an effective compliance management system. This international standard promotes adherence to legal and ethical standards, which is essential for sustainable business practices.
By implementing ISO 37301, organisations can ensure that their operations are not only legally compliant but also socially responsible. This contributes to long-term sustainability by minimising risks and strengthening stakeholder trust.
The standard helps organisations achieve their sustainability goals by fostering a culture of integrity and transparency, which is crucial for success in an increasingly regulated and environmentally conscious world.

In a joint statement issued in February 2024, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) outlined the amendments to various management system standards. The statement emphasises the importance of addressing climate change within these management systems.
The amendments affect clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the respective standard. The aim of the amendments is to ensure that organisations take climate change issues into account in relation to the effectiveness of management systems, in addition to all other aspects.
The ISO 37301 certification process consists of audit preparation, the conduct of Stage 1 of the audit (including an assessment of management documentation), the conduct of Stage 2 of the audit (based on the results of Stage 1), the issuance of the certificate, and surveillance/recertification.
ISO 37301 is closely related to ISO 37001, which was introduced in 2016. However, the latter focuses on anti-bribery management as part of the compliance management system. Organisations considering having their CMS certified to ISO 37001 can efficiently combine both standards with relatively little effort.
TÜV NORD CERT is an internationally recognised and reliable partner for testing and certification services. Our experts and auditors possess in-depth knowledge and are all permanently employed by TÜV NORD. This ensures independence, impartiality and continuity in the support we provide to our clients. The benefit for you is clear: our auditors accompany and support the development of your business and provide you with objective feedback.