Business Ethics Policy

Sterling operates on zero tolerance for bribery, corruption and fraud — across every dealing with clients, suppliers, certification bodies, training institutes, subcontractors, competitors, government officials and the public, in every country we operate. Adopted in 2020 and maintained since, this policy is the ethical floor beneath every engagement — and for a firm that implements ISO 37001 anti-bribery systems for clients, it is also the homework we did first.

Zero tolerance for bribery and corruption

No one acting for Sterling may give, promise, offer, request or accept any payment, gift or hospitality intended to secure or reward a business advantage, or to facilitate or expedite a routine procedure — and no one may retaliate against an employee who refuses to commit a bribery offence or raises a concern. Reasonable suspicions must be reported under our whistle-blowing procedure; substantiated acts are notified to the relevant government agency and treated as gross misconduct.

Zero tolerance for fraud

Everyone acting for Sterling — employees, subcontractors, agents, suppliers — must act honestly and with integrity at all times. No accounts are kept off the book to facilitate or conceal improper payments; all expenses and entertainment follow documented procedures.

Our supply chain

We expect suppliers and partners to meet the same standard: safe and fair working conditions and responsible management of environmental and social issues, under our Supplier Code of Conduct (available on request) and applicable law.

Raising a concern: info@iso-certification.ph (subject: “Ethics”), handled under our Complaints Policy with protection for good-faith reporters. See also our Impartiality & Independence Statement — the ethics of certification itself.

Adopted 2020 · Web edition effective 07 July 2026 · Reviewed annually · Full controlled version available here.

Last updated: July 2026 · Sterling International Consulting — Metro Manila · Cebu · Davao.