Ethical Business Practice and Non-Discrimination Policy

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Sci Qual International (SQI) employees responsible for making commitments on behalf of the company (i.e. buying, selling or recommending such decisions) are reminded that all business transactions must be conducted in an ethical manner. To remain free of a conflict of interest, employees shall not use their position for personal gain beyond regular compensation or transmit any personal information to any other person or persons unless legally required to do so.

Examples of unethical conduct are listed below to guide employees on proper business conduct:

  • receipt by an employee or family member of any gifts
  • offer or receipt by employee or family member of compensation or other items in order to influence a pending business decision
  • participation in a business decision in which the employee or family member may receive financial gain or reward beyond normal compensation paid by the company
  • offering or giving to others any gift, compensation or item of value in order to influence or show appreciated for a business decision. In the event an employee or family member is offered or receives any form of value, as defined in this policy, he/she must report the situation to SQI General Manager or delegate and turn the gift over to the company
  • in the event an employee has an outside interest or employment which affects job performance, results in conflict of interest or results in competition with SQI – such activity is not permitted. All outside interests must be declared to SQI General Manager or delegate for consideration of compliance with this policy.

Staff and sub-contractor details are kept for the purposes of employment/engagement by SQI. Such details are maintained only as long as they are required to be maintained by the accreditation body or legal requirements. Records may be reviewed by accreditation personnel only after receipt of a signed confidentiality agreement. Records shall not be made available to third parties other than as required by law.

Disregard for this policy is sufficient grounds for dismissal.

Sci Qual International policies and procedures and the administration of them do not discriminate against any particular applicant for certification other than to ensure applicants meet the requirements of the particular certifications offered.

SQI will make its services available to all applicants whose activities fall within the scope of our operations and access will not be conditional upon the size of the client or membership of any association or group, nor shall certification be conditional upon the number of certifications already issued.

SQI will not place any undue financial or other conditions upon applicants for certification.

SQI will confine our requirements, evaluation, review, decision and surveillance (if any) to those matters specifically related to the scope of certification.

However, we do reserve the right to decline to accept an application or maintain a contract for certification from a client when fundamental or demonstrated reasons exist, such as the client participating in illegal activities, having a history of repeated non-compliances with certification/product requirements, or similar client-related issues.