ISO 37009:2025

ISO 37009:2025 gives guidance for organizations of all types on understanding conflict of interest and identifying, assessing, resolving and monitoring it on the principles of trust, integrity, transparency and accountability. Clause 4 explains the nature of interest (personal: business, financial, family, professional, religious or political; organizational: that of a team, department or affiliate) and the three categories, actual, apparent and potential. Clause 5 sets the management framework and the four principles; clause 6 leadership, policy and the roles of the governing body and top management; clause 7 resources, competence, awareness and training, and communication; clause 8 the process of identification with timely disclosure, assessment, resolution and monitoring; clause 9 review and the evaluation of the framework's effectiveness; Annex A gives examples of interests, at-risk situations, passive interest and information barriers. Unmanaged conflict of interest is named as a key contributor to corruption and to the perception of wrongdoing; the framework is meant to be embedded in culture and business processes and integrated with governance, risk and compliance. Guidance, not certifiable; the conflict-of-interest companion to ISO 37000, 37001, 37002, 37003 and 37301.