ISO 37009-2025 PDF

Full title and description

ST ISO 37009-2025 (ISO 37009:2025) — Conflict of interest in organizations — Guidance. Guidance for organizations on identifying, assessing, resolving and monitoring conflicts of interest to promote trust, integrity, transparency and accountability across public, private and not‑for‑profit sectors.

Abstract

This international standard provides generic, sector‑agnostic guidance that helps organizations distinguish between actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest and implements proportionate processes to manage them. It covers principles, roles and responsibilities, disclosure and assessment mechanisms, mitigation measures, monitoring and reporting, and continual improvement to reduce the risk that conflicts of interest will impair decision‑making or undermine stakeholder confidence.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 11 September 2025
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 03.080.99 (Other services)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2025)
• Number of pages: 20

Scope

The standard gives guidance for establishing and operating arrangements to identify, assess, resolve and monitor conflicts of interest in organizations of any type and size. It is intended for application across public, private and non‑profit sectors and is descriptive (guidance) rather than a requirements‑only specification. The document clarifies terminology (actual, apparent and potential conflicts) and outlines processes and controls to reduce risk and increase transparency in organizational decision‑making.

Key topics and requirements

• Principles: trust, integrity, transparency and accountability.
• Definitions and distinction between actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest.
• Governance roles and responsibilities for conflict‑of‑interest management (board, senior management, compliance function).
• Disclosure mechanisms and registers for interests, gifts, hospitality and external activities.
• Assessment and risk‑based evaluation of disclosed interests and potential impacts on decisions.
• Mitigation measures: avoidance, recusal, divestment, oversight, contractual safeguards and monitoring.
• Monitoring, reporting, record keeping and periodic review of controls.
• Communication, training and awareness to embed expectations and procedures.
• Integration with broader governance, compliance and risk management arrangements.

Typical use and users

Applicable to organizations of all sizes in public, private and not‑for‑profit sectors. Typical users include boards and executive leadership, compliance and ethics officers, internal audit, human resources, legal teams, procurement and contracting officers, regulators and external advisers who design or implement conflict‑of‑interest policies and programs.

Related standards

Complements and is commonly used alongside other governance, compliance and risk standards such as ISO 37001 (anti‑bribery management systems), ISO 37000 (governance of organizations), ISO 37301 (compliance management systems) and ISO 31000 (risk management). It is developed under ISO/TC 309 (governance of organizations) and aligns with broader corporate governance guidance.

Keywords

conflict of interest, COI, governance, integrity, transparency, disclosure, mitigation, monitoring, compliance, ethics, organizational governance

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 37009:2025 is an international guidance standard titled "Conflict of interest in organizations — Guidance" that provides practical direction for identifying, assessing, resolving and monitoring conflicts of interest in organizations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers principles, definitions (actual/apparent/potential), governance roles, disclosure systems, assessment and mitigation options, monitoring and reporting, and integration with organizational governance and compliance arrangements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Boards, executives, compliance and ethics officers, HR and legal teams, internal auditors, procurement officers, regulators and external advisers in public, private and not‑for‑profit organizations use it to design or improve conflict‑of‑interest programs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 37009:2025 was published on 11 September 2025 and is current. Information here is accurate as of 1 March 2026; users should check for any later revisions if consulting at a later date.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ISO's governance and compliance family of deliverables developed under ISO/TC 309 and is used together with standards addressing anti‑bribery, compliance and governance (for example ISO 37001, ISO 37000, ISO 37301).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Conflict of interest, COI, disclosure, governance, integrity, transparency, mitigation, monitoring, compliance, ethics.