ISO 37301 Compliance Management System

ISO 37301 Compliance Management System

What is ISO 37301?

ISO 37301 is the international standard for Compliance Management Systems (CMS), published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It provides a framework for organizations to establish, develop, implement, evaluate, maintain, and improve an effective compliance management system.

ISO 37301 is certifiable, meaning organizations can be audited against the standard and achieve certification, demonstrating their commitment to compliance, integrity, and good governance.

Why ISO 37301 Matters

Adopting ISO 37301 is important because it helps organizations:

  • Embed a culture of compliance across all levels of the business

  • Prevent compliance breaches and reduce regulatory risks

  • Enhance stakeholder trust by demonstrating accountability

  • Meet legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations

  • Improve business resilience with structured compliance processes

  • Integrate compliance with governance, risk, and ethics programs

Key Elements of ISO 37301 Compliance Management System

  1. Leadership & Commitment – Board and senior management oversight

  2. Risk Assessment – Identifying compliance risks across operations

  3. Policies & Procedures – Documented standards for ethical and compliant behavior

  4. Training & Awareness – Educating employees on compliance responsibilities

  5. Monitoring & Reporting – Regular assessments, internal audits, and reporting channels

  6. Corrective Actions – Addressing non-compliance and continuous improvement

  7. Certification – Independent audits to demonstrate compliance with ISO 37301

Example of ISO 37301 in Action

A global financial institution adopts ISO 37301 to standardize compliance practices across all regions. By implementing structured compliance policies, conducting regular audits, and establishing whistleblowing channels, the company achieves certification, reinforcing trust among regulators and investors.

ISO 37301 vs. ISO 19600

  • ISO 19600 – Provided guidelines for compliance management but was not certifiable.

  • ISO 37301 – Replaced ISO 19600 and is certifiable, making it the international benchmark for compliance management.

How VComply Can Help

VComply supports organizations in aligning with ISO 37301 by providing:

  • Automated compliance workflows and risk assessments

  • Centralized policy management linked to compliance obligations

  • Real-time dashboards for monitoring compliance effectiveness

  • Tools for whistleblowing, investigations, and corrective action tracking

  • Audit-ready documentation to support ISO certification efforts

With VComply, businesses can implement and maintain an ISO 37301-compliant management system that reduces risks, improves accountability, and strengthens stakeholder confidence.