Institute of European Standards and Quality 
Activities covered
This policy addresses interests and relationships that may affect technical work and decisions. The applicable programme may impose additional requirements. A general policy does not replace the specific independence and competence conditions of an activity.
Relationships and influence
Ownership, governance, employment, prior consultancy, commercial dependency and other relationships can create relevant risks. Their significance depends on the task and parties. A relationship must be considered on its substance, not only the legal or organisational label used for it.
Identifying risks
Risk consideration forms part of accepting and allocating work. It examines relevant prior involvement, incentives and access to information. New information or a changed relationship requires reconsideration during the activity.
Disclosure and recusal
Persons involved disclose relevant interests before taking part and when circumstances change. Controls may include restricting a role, assigning another reviewer, recusal or declining the work. A declaration alone does not establish that a risk has been controlled.
Evaluation, review and decision
Responsibilities are allocated according to the applicable activity. Where independent review or decision is required, the authorised person must be free from involvement or influence incompatible with that requirement. Administrative separation alone is not sufficient.
Fees and commercial interests
Fees pay for an agreed service and do not purchase a conclusion. Membership, a training relationship, a referral or the use of a particular consultant must not be represented as securing an easier, faster or favourable technical decision.
Oversight and concerns
Controls must be subject to oversight and their operation recorded. A person raising a concern should identify the work and the relationship involved. The concern is considered through a route that avoids inappropriate involvement by those concerned.
Applicable policy and review
The applicable policy is the approved text identified by its effective date and scope. Changes should address actual risks and requirements. Programme-specific conditions remain applicable where they impose a more particular control.