Why International Standards Matter
Standards are not just paperwork. They are tools that help you:
Build trust
with investors, customers, and regulators
Reduce risks
through proven management systems
Improve performance
with clear processes and accountability
Access global markets
by meeting international requirements
Support Saudi Vision 2030
through sustainable business practices
Think of standards as a quality seal. They show stakeholders that your organization is professionally managed and forward-thinking.
Our Standards Expertise
Mithaq360 works with the newest international standards. Our team includes experts who helped create these frameworks. We translate complex requirements into practical steps your organization can follow.
GOVERNANCE STANDARDS
ISO 37000 Series: Governance Excellence
What it is:
The ISO 37000 family sets the global benchmark for organizational governance. These standards define how organizations should be led, directed, and controlled. They cover everything from board effectiveness to stakeholder engagement.
Why it matters for you:
Strong governance builds investor confidence. It reduces legal and reputational risks. It creates clear accountability throughout your organization. For Saudi and GCC companies, meeting ISO 37000 standards demonstrates world-class management.
Standards in this family:
ISO 37000:
Core principles of good governance
ISO 37001:
Anti-bribery management systems
ISO 37002:
Whistleblowing management systems
ISO 37301:
Compliance management systems
ISO 37011: Purpose Governance
Draft International StandardWhat it is:
ISO 37011 helps organizations discover and govern their true purpose. This standard recognizes that successful organizations serve stakeholders beyond just shareholders. It provides a framework to identify your purpose and embed it in decision-making.
Why it matters for you:
Purpose-driven companies perform better financially. They attract top talent. They earn customer loyalty. ISO 37011 ensures your purpose is not just a slogan but a management system. This aligns perfectly with Saudi Vision 2030's focus on sustainable growth.
What you get:
A clear, authentic organizational purpose
Governance structures that protect your purpose
Systems to measure progress toward your goals
Stakeholder confidence in your direction
COMPLIANCE STANDARDS
ISO 37301: Compliance Management Systems
What it is:
ISO 37301 creates a system to ensure your organization follows all laws, regulations, and voluntary commitments. It goes beyond just checking boxes. It builds a culture of compliance throughout your organization.
Why it matters for you:
Compliance failures can destroy reputations overnight. They trigger massive fines and legal problems. ISO 37301 helps you stay ahead of requirements. It shows regulators and partners that compliance is embedded in how you work.
Key benefits:
- Systematic approach to all compliance obligations
- Early warning of potential violations
- Clear accountability for compliance across the organization
- Reduced risk of penalties and legal issues
ISO 37001: Anti-Bribery Management Systems
What it is:
ISO 37001 provides a framework to prevent, detect, and address bribery. It applies to organizations of all sizes and sectors. The standard helps you create systems that stop corruption before it starts.
Why it matters for you:
Bribery destroys trust and creates massive legal exposure. Saudi Arabia and GCC countries increasingly enforce anti-corruption laws. ISO 37001 certification shows you take these risks seriously. It protects your reputation and opens doors to global partnerships.
What you get:
Clear policies against bribery in all forms
Due diligence processes for partners and suppliers
Training for all staff on corruption risks
Investigation procedures if issues arise
Regular monitoring and improvement
ISO 37002: Whistleblowing Management Systems
What it is:
ISO 37002 helps organizations create safe channels for reporting wrongdoing. It protects people who speak up about problems. The standard ensures concerns are handled fairly and confidentially.
Why it matters for you:
Early warnings prevent small problems from becoming disasters. Employees who feel safe reporting concerns help you catch issues quickly. ISO 37002 demonstrates your commitment to ethical business practices. It builds trust with stakeholders and protects your organization.
Key elements:
- Confidential reporting channels
- Protection against retaliation
- Fair investigation procedures
- Clear escalation processes
- Regular review of reported concerns
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISO/IEC 42001:2023: AI Management Systems
Latest Standard - 2023What it is:
ISO 42001 is the world's first AI management standard. It helps organizations develop and use artificial intelligence responsibly. The standard covers AI governance, ethics, transparency, and risk management.
Why it matters for you:
AI is transforming business rapidly. But it brings new risks around data privacy, bias, and accountability. ISO 42001 helps you harness AI's benefits while managing its risks. This matters as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in AI as part of Vision 2030.
What you get:
Framework for responsible AI development
Risk assessment for AI systems
Ethical guidelines for AI use
Transparency requirements for AI decisions
Continuous monitoring of AI performance
Perfect for: Organizations developing AI solutions or using AI in decision-making
BIODIVERSITY STANDARDS
ISO 17298:2025: Biodiversity in Organizational Strategy
New Standard - 2025What it is:
ISO 17298 guides organizations on considering biodiversity in their strategy and operations. It provides requirements and guidelines for assessing biodiversity impacts. This standard helps you operate in harmony with nature.
Why it matters for you:
Biodiversity loss affects business stability. Investors increasingly evaluate environmental performance. Saudi Vision 2030 emphasizes environmental sustainability. ISO 17298 helps you align business operations with ecological protection.
Key benefits:
- Systematic assessment of biodiversity impacts
- Integration of biodiversity into strategy
- Risk reduction from environmental damage
- Enhanced reputation as sustainable operator
- Alignment with global sustainability trends
ISO 17620:2025: Biodiversity Net Gain
New Standard - 2025What it is:
ISO 17620 provides a process for designing and implementing biodiversity net gain in development projects. Net gain means leaving biodiversity in a better state than before your project. This goes beyond just minimizing harm.
Why it matters for you:
Development projects increasingly need biodiversity net gain. Regulators and communities expect environmental improvement, not just mitigation. ISO 17620 gives you a credible framework to demonstrate positive impact.
What you get:
Process to measure biodiversity baseline
Design approaches for net gain
Implementation guidance
Monitoring and verification methods
Stakeholder engagement frameworks
Perfect for: Real estate developers, infrastructure companies, energy projects
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
ISO/UNDP 53001: SDG Management Systems
Draft International StandardWhat it is:
ISO 53001 is being developed with the United Nations Development Programme. It provides requirements for management systems that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This standard helps organizations contribute meaningfully to the SDGs.
Why it matters for you:
The SDGs represent the world's shared development priorities. Organizations that advance the SDGs gain competitive advantages. They attract investment, top talent, and customer loyalty. ISO 53001 ensures your SDG commitments are real, not just marketing.
What you get:
Framework to identify relevant SDGs
Systems to integrate SDGs into operations
Measurement of SDG contributions
Credibility with stakeholders
Alignment with Vision 2030's SDG commitments
Status: Draft International Standard (implementation guidance available)
ISO/UNDP PAS 53002: SDG Contribution Guidelines
What it is:
This Publicly Available Specification provides guidelines for maximizing organizational contributions to the SDGs. It complements ISO 53001 with practical guidance. The document helps you move from commitment to action.
Why it matters for you:
Understanding how to contribute to SDGs is complex. PAS 53002 breaks it down into manageable steps. It helps you identify where your organization can make the biggest difference. This guidance prevents "SDG washing" and ensures authentic contribution.
Key guidance areas:
- Prioritizing SDGs relevant to your sector
- Setting meaningful targets
- Measuring and reporting progress
- Engaging stakeholders on SDG performance
- Continuous improvement approaches
UNDP SDG Impact Standards
What it is:
The UNDP SDG Impact Standards help enterprises, bonds, and private equity funds operate for impact and the SDGs. These standards provide frameworks for impact management and investment. They ensure capital flows toward sustainable development.
Why it matters for you:
Impact investing is growing rapidly in the GCC. Investors want assurance that their capital creates positive change. The SDG Impact Standards provide that assurance. They help you attract impact capital and demonstrate authentic commitment to sustainable development.
Standards available:
SDG Impact Standards for Enterprises
For operating companies pursuing impact
SDG Impact Standards for Bonds
For issuers of sustainable bonds
SDG Impact Standards for Private Equity Funds
For PE funds investing for impact
What you get:
Frameworks for impact management
Credibility with impact investors
Clear impact measurement approaches
Integration of SDGs into investment decisions
Regular impact assessment and reporting
Standards and Saudi Vision 2030
How International Standards Support Saudi Vision 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy and build a sustainable future. International standards support this vision in concrete ways:
Economic Diversification:
- •ISO management systems improve competitiveness
- •Standards help Saudi companies access global markets
- •Certification attracts international investment
Transparency and Governance:
- •ISO 37000 series strengthens corporate governance
- •Anti-corruption standards build trust
- •Compliance systems reduce regulatory risk
Environmental Sustainability:
- •Biodiversity standards protect natural resources
- •Environmental management reduces carbon footprint
- •Sustainable practices attract ESG investment
Social Responsibility:
- •Whistleblowing systems protect workers
- •SDG alignment demonstrates social commitment
- •Stakeholder engagement builds community trust
Digital Transformation:
- •AI management standards enable responsible innovation
- •Technology governance ensures ethical AI use
- •Digital standards support smart city development
Our Standards Implementation Approach
From Standards to Practice
We don't just explain standards. We help you implement them in ways that fit your organization.
Our Process:
Gap Analysis
We assess your current practices against standard requirements. This shows exactly what needs improvement.
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Implementation Planning
We create a roadmap tailored to your organization. This includes timelines, resources, and responsibilities.
Timeline: 2-3 weeks
System Design
We design management systems that meet standard requirements. These integrate with your existing operations.
Timeline: 8-16 weeks depending on standard
Training and Rollout
We train your team to operate the new systems. We support the transition every step of the way.
Timeline: 4-8 weeks
Audit Preparation
We prepare you for certification audits. We conduct internal audits first to ensure readiness.
Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Continuous Improvement
Standards require ongoing monitoring. We provide tools and training for long-term success.
Timeline: Ongoing support available
Standards Expertise You Can Trust
We Know Standards Inside Out
Our team includes experts who participated in developing these standards. We understand not just what standards require, but why. This knowledge helps us implement standards efficiently.
We Understand the GCC
We operate from Riyadh. We understand Saudi and GCC business culture. We know how to adapt international standards to regional contexts. Our team works in Arabic and English.
We're Practical
We don't create compliance burdens. We design systems that improve how you work. Standards should make your organization stronger, not slower.
We're Connected
We're part of Paramount Value Consulting Group. We have relationships with certification bodies and regulators. We can help you navigate the certification process smoothly.
Ready to Get Started?
International standards give you a competitive edge. They build trust, reduce risk, and open new opportunities. Let's discuss which standards matter most for your organization.
Mithaq360
Paramount Value Consulting Group
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
📧 Email: bashar.kayyali@mithaq360.com.sa
📍 Office: Al-Toukhi Tower, P.O. box 250057 Riyadh 11391, KSA