The Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova aligns to the anti-bribery standard ISO 37001

The Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova joins the initiative to implement the international anti-bribery standard ISO 37001, marking an important step in its commitment to fight corruption and promote transparent and ethical practices.

In this regard, the Competition Council, The Institute for Standardization of Moldova and the USAID Program Institutional and Structural Reforms in Moldova (MISRA) today signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the roles and responsibilities of each institution in the international bribery certification process of the Competition Council.

Alexei Ghertescu, President of the Competition Council, stated that „implementation of the international anti-bribery standard within the competition authority is very important to strengthen the Competition Council's credibility in front of society and the business environment. Those procedures to be put into practice are a firm commitment to promoting transparency and integrity in our work, strengthening trust in the Competition Council and ensuring that our actions comply with the highest standards of ethics and professionalism."

In the certification process, the Competition Council will be assisted in the process of training and adjustment of internal policies by the Institute of Standardization of Moldova, with the support of USAID Institutional and Structural Reforms in Moldova (MISRA). The activities for the implementation of the anti-bribery standard will start in May 2024, so that by the end of this year the Competition Council will obtain the certificate confirming the implementation of ISO 37001.

David Anderson, director of USAID Institutional and Structural Reforms in Moldova, he noted that the control authorities and entities issuing permits in the Republic of Moldova are to comply with the anti-bribery standard according to the Government's commitments. The implementation of this standard will allow detecting and combating potential risks of corruption within responsible state structures. At the same time, the alignment of the Competition Council on the initiative to implement this standard will serve as a model to extend it to other public and governmental authorities, the MISRA director said.

Andrian Bunduc, interim director of the Institute for Standardization of Moldova, said, ISO 37001 establishes a robust anti-bribery management system. The implementation of these measures will strengthen institutional integrity and promote a competitive and fair business environment.

The ISO 37001 standard establishes a robust anti-bribery management system that includes requirements on anti-bribery policy and procedures, commitment and accountability of management, and, regular assessment of the risk of bribery and anti-bribery control measures. The implementation of these measures will strengthen institutional integrity and promote a competitive and fair business environment.

This initiative marks the Competition Council as the second institution in the Republic of Moldova that intends to be certified according to the international anti-bribery standard ISO 37001, after the National Auto Transport Agency (ANTA), which, signed the agreement in January 2024.

The implementation of ISO 37001 will strengthen transparency and accountability in the work of the Competition Council, reduce the risk of corruption and promote fair competition in the market, strengthening the trust of economic agents in state institutions.