Purpose and scope
Conflicts of interest
A conflict may be actual, potential or reasonably perceived. All three require disclosure and a recorded decision before work continues.
01
What must be disclosed
Relevant financial interests, recent employment or consultancy, ownership, close personal relationships, competitive interests, prior involvement in the subject and any circumstance that could influence—or appear to influence—judgement.
02
When disclosure is required
Disclosure is required on appointment, before each assignment and whenever circumstances change. Silence is not treated as confirmation that no conflict exists.
03
Control decision
Certiqual records whether the conflict is absent, acceptable with controls or incompatible with the assignment. Controls may include restricted access, additional review, recusal, reassignment or exclusion from the decision.
Mandatory controls
What the policy requires in operation
- Conflict declarations are treated as controlled records.
- A person must not decide whether their own conflict is acceptable.
- Failure to disclose may lead to removal from the assignment and review of affected work.
- The assessment and public status are corrected if an unmanaged conflict affected their integrity.
Public accountability
Status changes remain visible
Where this policy affects a public accreditation or Certi Mark, the live register reflects the current status, restrictions and material public history without disclosing protected evidence or personal data.