Trust & Governance
Impartiality & Independence
Certification decisions must remain independent. WWEC maintains arrangements to identify, evaluate and manage risks to impartiality throughout certification activities.
Impartiality
A fundamental principle of the WWEC certification system.
WWEC maintains documented arrangements to identify, evaluate, manage and monitor risks that could affect impartiality in certification activities.
Certification activities are conducted using defined responsibilities and controls intended to reduce conflicts of interest and inappropriate influence.
Certification decisions are made by authorised personnel independent of the assessment activities for the organisation concerned.
Personnel involved in assessment, technical review, certification decision-making or other certification activities are required to disclose relevant conflicts of interest and comply with applicable impartiality requirements.
Where an identified risk to impartiality cannot be adequately managed, appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with the applicable controlled procedure.
Protected from influence
Decisions shall not be influenced by:
Commercial interests
Sponsorship
Partnerships
Marketing arrangements
Advisory relationships
Consulting services
Financial pressure
Personal interests
Conflicts of interest
Controls in practice
Certification and consultancy independence.
Personnel disclose relevant conflicts of interest before participating in certification activities.
Where a conflict cannot be adequately controlled, the individual shall not participate in the affected certification activity.
Personnel who provide consultancy or advisory services to an organisation shall not participate in the assessment, technical review or certification decision for that organisation where such participation creates an unacceptable conflict of interest.
Purchase of advisory, improvement, training, branding or other commercial services does not influence certification eligibility, assessment findings, scoring or certification decisions.
Independence is non-negotiable.
Concerns about impartiality can be raised through the Appeals & Complaints process.