Corruption and bribery are significant concerns in international business, as they undermine fair competition, distort markets, and can lead to severe legal and reputational risks. Various compliance frameworks have been developed to address these issues, ensuring that businesses operate ethically and legally across borders. 

Here are some key compliance frameworks that tackle corruption and bribery in international business:

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a U.S. law that prohibits companies and their representatives from bribing foreign officials to obtain or retain business. It applies to all U.S. persons and businesses, as well as foreign firms and persons who commit acts in furtherance of such bribery within the United States. The FCPA has two main provisions: the anti-bribery provisions and the accounting provisions, which require companies to maintain accurate books and records and have a system of internal controls.

UK Bribery Act

The UK Bribery Act is one of the most comprehensive anti-bribery laws in the world. It prohibits bribery in both the public and private sectors and applies to UK companies and individuals, as well as foreign companies with operations in the UK. The Act covers offering, promising, or giving a bribe, as well as requesting, agreeing to receive, or accepting a bribe. It also introduces a corporate offense for failing to prevent bribery, placing the onus on organizations to have adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery.

OECD Anti-Bribery Convention

The OECD Anti-Bribery Convention is an international treaty aimed at combating bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions. Countries that are party to the convention are required to criminalize bribery of foreign public officials and implement measures to prevent, detect, and prosecute such offenses. The convention promotes cooperation between signatory countries in the investigation and enforcement of anti-bribery laws.

United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)

UNCAC is a comprehensive international treaty that addresses various forms of corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering. It establishes a broad set of standards, measures, and rules that countries can implement to strengthen their legal and regulatory frameworks to combat corruption. UNCAC encourages international cooperation in law enforcement and provides a framework for asset recovery and technical assistance.

ISO 37001 – Anti-Bribery Management Systems

ISO 37001 is an international standard for anti-bribery management systems. It provides a framework for organizations to implement, maintain, and improve an anti-bribery management system. The standard includes measures to help organizations prevent, detect, and respond to bribery, and it is applicable to organizations of all sizes and sectors. ISO 37001 covers areas such as top management commitment, anti-bribery policies, risk assessments, due diligence, financial controls, and employee training.

European Union Directives and Regulations

The European Union has several directives and regulations aimed at combating corruption and bribery within its member states. These include the EU Anti-Corruption Directive, which sets minimum standards for fighting corruption and promoting transparency, and the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive, which protects individuals who report breaches of EU law, including corruption and bribery.