It is the policy of Universal Registrars to operate its business in accordance with the guiding principles of impartiality, competence, responsibility, openness, confidentiality and responsiveness. UR views the safeguarding of impartiality as paramount in maintaining confidence. UR senior management has established and promoted an impartiality policy with associated objectives on which UR certification service will be based.
A relationship that threatens UR’s impartiality can be based upon ownership, governance, personnel, shared resources, finances, contracts, marketing and payment of a sales commission or other inducement for the referral of new clients etc.
All Directors, staff and sub-contractors are required to complete and sign the Compliance with Conflict of Interest Policy.
UR's top management are committed to impartiality in its management system certification activities, and has appointed an independent Impartiality Committee. In any event representation of a balance of interests shall be such that no single interest will be allowed to predominate at any convening thereof.
The Committee safeguards the impartiality of UR with duties and responsibilities that include.
- ✓ Assisting in developing policies relating to impartiality of certification activities.
- ✓ Counteracting any tendency to allow commercial or other considerations to prevent the consistent, objective provision of certification activities.
- ✓ Advising on matters affecting confidence in certification, including openness and public perception.
- ✓ Conducting a review, at least annually, of the impartiality of the audit, certification and UR decision making processes.
The Impartiality Committee has ultimate authority for matters relating to UR impartiality and to maintaining integrity of the certification process.