Business Principles
Business Principles For Countering Bribery
A multi-stakeholder initiative led by Transparency International
Business Principles is an initiative by Transparency International in collaboration with Social Accountability International. They first launch this Principle in 2003, revised in 2009 and this present revised 2013 third edition.
The Foreword of the tool aims to “assist companies in the design and implementation of effective anti-bribery policies.” It has been deveped and achieved through a multi-stakeholder collaboration among various stakeholders including business, academia, trade unions and non-governmental organizations.
Transparency International has been using the Business Principles as its major platform in dealing with its private sector activities and programmes. The principles have influenced various standards and initiatives related bribery issues in various places. In fact, the Business Principles has been translated into various languages and used by the movement’s network in tackling issues of bribery in their respective business communities.
This edition (2013) is the product of the consultations, field-testing, workshops, feedbacks and experiences of the groups behind the development of this tool. Transparency International believes that the Business Principles will continue to be used and influential to enterprises’ development for stronger anti-bribery programmes.
Bribery Defined
The Business Principles for Countering Bribery defines bribery in the following manner: “The offering, promising, giving, accepting or soliciting of an advantage as an inducement for an action which is illegal or a breach of trust.”
The Business Principles
1. The enterprise shall prohibit bribery in any form whether direct or indirect.
2. The enterprise shall commit to implementing a Programme to counter bribery.
The Programme shall represent the enterprise’s anti-bribery efforts including values, code of conduct, detailed policies and procedures, risk management, internal and external communication, training and guidance, internal controls, oversight, monitoring, and assurance.
The two major principles mentioned are based on a Board commitment to TI’s values of integrity, transparency and accountability.
Basically, the Business Principles urge enterprises to develop programmes that will effectively counter bribery activities, such as clearly and reasonably detailing values, policies and procedures.
Second, the Business Principles tool asks the enterprises to establish risk assessment processes and methods that could help prevent bribery activities.
Third, the Business Principles urge the enterprises to cover specific areas that have the most prevalent risks of bribery, which include: conflicts of interest, bribes, political contributions, charitable contributions and sponsorships, facilitation payments, gifts, hospitality and expenses.
Last, the Business Principles proposed programme implementation requirements that enterprises should meet: organization and responsibilities, business relationships, human resources, raising concerns and seeking guidance, communication and reporting, internal controls and record keeping, monitoring and review, cooperation with authorities, and independent assurance.
For more descriptions regarding the tool, please click the download link below to see the full document: Business Principles 2013