Purpose
To make sure accreditation decisions rest on evidence and the published standards, and are free from, and seen to be free from, undue influence.
What counts as a conflict
- A financial interest in an applicant, or in a competitor of an applicant.
- Current or recent employment, consultancy, study, or a governance or advisory role at the applicant.
- A link of ownership, control or management with the applicant, whether held directly or through another person or entity.
- A close personal or family relationship with someone at the applicant.
- Any other circumstance that could reasonably be seen to affect impartiality.
Declaration
- Reviewers, Committee members, appeals panel members and Secretariat staff declare interests when appointed and again for each application.
- Applicants declare any link they know of with IFEIA or with the people who will review or decide their application.
- Declarations are recorded.
Management
- A person with an interest takes no part in the review, discussion or decision concerned, and does not receive the papers.
- Where an interest is minor and could not reasonably affect judgement, the Committee chair may record that and allow participation, with the reasons written down.
- Where an interest cannot be managed, another reviewer or panel member is appointed.
- A decision later found to be affected by an undeclared interest may be reviewed, and may be set aside.
Records and oversight
The Secretariat keeps the declarations and the action taken. They are available to the appeals panel and, where the law requires, to the competent authority.
Effective 30 October 2026. Questions: [email protected].