Ecuador To Implement ISO 37 001 In Its Anti-Corruption Efforts

In response to the wave of revelations of corruption in government contracting in Latin America, Ecuador's Public Procurement Service (SERCOP) announced at the outset of June that it is in the process of implementing anti-corruption rules per ISO 37 001. This will be a joint effort with the National Standards Institute (INEN). The international standards will be applied to public procurement procedures, as an anti-bribery action.

SERCOP announced that implementation will encompass contracting entities and suppliers. ISO 37 001 provides for implementation of control procedures, anti-bribery training programs for employees, corruption risk assessment programs, investigation of cases and possible undue acts. The standards must be adapted to the laws of the country in which they are applied. This action seeks to step-up current efforts of the new administration and the private sector.