Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationGovernance, Ethics & Risk
Anti-Corruption Policy
Definition
A documented set of commitments, rules and procedures by which an organisation works against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. It typically covers risk assessment, gifts and hospitality rules, third-party due diligence, reporting channels and disciplinary measures, and is a core element of governance disclosure.
References
Supports definition and framing.
Overview
What it means
The UN Global Compact's tenth principle — derived from the UN Convention Against Corruption — calls on businesses to work against corruption in all its forms, starting with internal policies and programmes. Corruption is treated as a sustainability issue because it undermines development, distorts markets, raises costs and disproportionately harms poor communities.
How it is used
Companies disclose their anti-corruption policies and incidents under GRI 205; many certify management systems to ISO 37001 (anti-bribery); investors screen for policy quality in ESG assessments. The UN Global Compact asks signatories to report progress annually and to join collective-action initiatives with peers and governments.
Why it matters
Corruption erodes every other sustainability outcome — from fair labour to environmental enforcement. A credible policy is the baseline defence against legal exposure (for example under the US FCPA or UK Bribery Act) and against the governance failures that enable greenwashing and rights abuses in supply chains.