Impartiality Policy
Document Type
Version
Effective Date
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Review Cycle
Overview
This policy establishes the principles and controls that safeguard impartiality in certification, auditing, review, and decision-making activities. It ensures that GCAI operates with objectivity, independence, and freedom from undue influence.
Purpose
To define how impartiality is protected, monitored, and enforced across all certification activities.
Scope
This policy applies to top management, auditors, technical reviewers, decision makers, committee members, employees, contractors, and external personnel acting on behalf of GCAI.
Our Impartiality Commitments
Independence
We operate independently from any influence that could compromise impartiality.
Objectivity
Decisions are based solely on evidence, criteria, and applicable requirements.
Conflict of Interest Control
We identify, manage, and eliminate conflicts that could threaten impartiality.
Fair Treatment
All applicants and certified entities receive equitable and fair treatment.
Competence
We ensure competent personnel make impartial and informed decisions.
Transparency
We maintain transparency in our processes, decisions, and communications.
How We Manage Impartiality Risks
GCAI identifies, analyses, evaluates, treats, monitors and documents impartiality risks arising from its activities and relationships.
1
Identify
We operate independently from any influence that could compromise impartiality.
2
Analyze
Decisions are based solely on evidence, criteria, and applicable requirements.
3
Evaluate
All applicants and certified entities receive equitable and fair treatment.
4
Treat
We ensure competent personnel make impartial and informed decisions.
5
Monitor
We maintain transparency in our processes, decisions, and communications.
6
Document
We identify, manage, and eliminate conflicts that could threaten impartiality.
Typical Threats to Impartiality
Identify
We operate independently from any influence that could compromise impartiality.
Analyze
Decisions are based solely on evidence, criteria, and applicable requirements.
Evaluate
All applicants and certified entities receive equitable and fair treatment.
Treat
We ensure competent personnel make impartial and informed decisions.
Monitor
We maintain transparency in our processes, decisions, and communications.
- Non-Negotiable Safeguards
- GCAI, the same legal entity and entities under its organizational control do not provide management system consultancy.
- GCAI does not provide internal audits to organizations certified by GCAI.
- GCAI does not outsource certification audits to management system consultancy organizations.
- Personnel who have provided consultancy or internal audit services to an organization are not assigned to its certification activities for at least two years after completion of those services.
- No promises or implications that certification will be simpler, easier, faster or less expensive when a particular consultant, partner or technology is used.
- Where an impartiality threat cannot be reduced to an acceptable level, GCAI will not undertake or continue the affected certification activity.
These safeguards are mandatory and apply to all GCAI personnel, contracted auditors, experts and committee members.
- Independent Impartiality Oversight
- Review significant impartiality risks and safeguards.
- Review changes in ownership, relationships, services and commercial arrangements.
- Challenge management where impartiality may be threatened.
- Escalate unresolved concerns to top management or the appropriate governing authority.
The committee meets at least annually and whenever significant impartiality risks are identified.
Report an Impartiality Concern
Employees, auditors, clients, partners and other stakeholders may confidentially report an actual, potential or perceived threat to impartiality. Concerns are reviewed independently and retaliation is prohibited.
Report a Concern
Confidential Reporting