The BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published guidance for an effective whistleblowing management system based on the principles of trust, impartiality and protection.

The new international standard, named BS ISO 37002:2021, Whistleblowing management systems, Guidelines, provides guidance to organisations for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving a whistleblowing management system.

The standard can help organisations to:

• Identify and tackle wrongdoing more quickly, helping prevent harm to profits, reputation and to people, whether employees or customers;
• Prevent or minimise loss of assets and aid the recovery of lost assets;
• Ensure compliance with organisational commitments, policies and procedures;
• Ensure compliance with legal and societal obligations;
• Attract and retain personnel who are committed to the organisation’s values and culture and discourage those who are not;
• Demonstrate sound, ethical governance practices to society, markets, regulators, owners and other interested parties;
• Operate efficiently and grow sustainably; and
• Make better informed management decisions and control risk.

There are a number of key areas that constitute a whistleblowing complaint and for which the whistleblower is protected by law.

These are:

• Where there is a criminal offence.
• A breach of health and safety or if someone is in danger.
• Risk of or actual damage to the environment.
• Where there is a miscarriage of justice.
• Where an organisation is breaking the law.
• Where the whistleblower believes someone is covering up wrongdoing.

David Fatscher, Head of Environment, Social and Governance Standards at the BSI said:

“Studies show that a large proportion of wrongdoing comes to the attention of the affected organisation through reports from someone within or close to the organisation. This has led organisations to introduce or improve internal whistleblowing policies and processes.

“We are proud to have led the development of the first whistleblowing management system that can help organisations of all sizes to set up and maintain a robust process. This is an important people-centric standard that can build organisational trust by encouraging a culture of openness, transparency, integrity and accountability.”

Organisations can download the standard via the BSI shop here.