Ten good reasons for a certification according to ISO 19600

1. ISO 19600 is the first and only international standard on compliance management and compliance management systems (CMS). For internationally active companies, certification is recommended according to an internationally recognized standard (as opposed to a national standard).

1. ISO 19600 embodies a worldwide “best practice standard”. The standard is based very broadly (with Austria playing a pioneering role) and is now already mentioned by the authorities – at least in Switzerland – as a benchmark for appropriate compliance efforts.

1. 3. ISO 19600 gives companies great flexibility as a guideline standard and allows them to take account of the size, available resources and other relevant factors in the specific design of the compliance management system. Thus, certification is generally suitable for all companies.

1. With a certification, the company can meet the expectations of a wide range of stakeholders (authorities, shareholders, donors, employees, customers and suppliers, the general public, NGOs, media, rating agencies, etc.); These stakeholders have increasing expectations on a compliance management system.

1. For the time being, certification may be cited as a competitive advantage against competitors. The more companies are certified, the more the pressure on other companies will increase.

1. In the event of an official investigation concerning a possible breach of compliance, the design of the compliance management system according to ISO 19600 and the certification can be listed in the sense of a “corporate defense”.

7. The internal compliance efforts are supported by an external certification to provide more visibility and legitimacy.

1. The certification shows that compliance is operated systematically in a company and all relevant and recognized elements of a compliance management system are addressed.

1. Certification is the expression of a strong commitment of the company to compliance.

1. Certification allows for a certain security for the management who is responsible for compliance that the company has indeed an effective compliance management system.

And finally: ISO 19600 follows the same systematics and terminology as the other ISO standards. Companies that already have other ISO certifications are therefore quickly familiar with the new ISO standard.