ICC Rules on Combating Corruption

The ICC Rules on Combating Corruption constitute the cornerstone of ICC’s anti-corruption work, serving both as a tool for self-regulation by business and as a roadmap for governments in their efforts to fight extortion and bribery.

These Rules are intended as a method of self-regulation by business against the background of applicable national law and key international legal instruments.

Their voluntary acceptance by enterprises will promote high standards of integrity in business transactions, whether between Enterprises and public bodies or between Enterprises themselves.

These Rules play an important role in assisting enterprises to comply with their legal obligations and with the numerous anti-corruption initiatives at the international level. They also provide an appropriate basis for resisting attempts at extortion or solicitation of bribes.

What is new?

• The new 2023 edition of the ICC Rules on Combating Corruption bolsters provisions to enable reporting mechanisms, in recognition of the key role that internal and external whistleblowing channels pay in uncovering and deterring wrongdoing.
• The new Rules also reinforce the section on engaging and managing Third Parties, to guide enterprises in managing corruption and other risks presented by suppliers and agents in supply chains.
• For the first time ever, ICC’s Rules on Combating Corruption call for the promotion of Responsible Business Conduct, as Enterprises are increasingly expected to not just promote compliance and anti-corruption, but also to encourage the aim of “doing good while doing no harm.”

Outline

The 2023 edition of the ICC Rules for Combating Corruption consists of four parts:

• Part I states the Rules
• Part II provides guidance to support implementation and compliance with the Rules
• Part III lists the suggested elements of an effective corporate compliance program
• Part IV comprises definitions of terms used

If you would like to revisit the past edition for reference, please click here.