Section 93 of 104
91. Independence and Conflict-of-Interest Controls
Stable section ID: S05-CON-016-SECTION-93 · 30 content blocks
System05 governance shall protect technical and institutional decisions from undisclosed or improper influence.
A conflict of interest may arise from:
employment;
ownership or investment;
consulting or contractual relationships;
patent or licensing interests;
family or close personal relationships;
research funding;
certification or testing revenue;
competitive interests;
gifts or benefits;
future employment expectations;
organizational loyalty.
Individuals and organizations participating in governance shall disclose material interests before taking part in an affected decision.
Conflict controls may include:
public disclosure;
limited participation;
recusal;
independent review;
replacement of a decision-maker;
prohibition on voting;
separation of commercial and certification functions;
cooling-off periods;
- audit or enhanced documentation.
- Disclosure alone shall not automatically resolve a conflict where the Risk of influence remains unacceptable.
No manufacturer shall control the approval criteria for its own Product. No certification body shall weaken requirements to retain a client. No Governing Organization official shall use confidential governance information for private commercial advantage.
Funding sources for major Standards, research, Pilot, certification, and governance activities shall be disclosed at a level sufficient to evaluate potential influence.
Technical expertise from interested parties may be necessary and valuable. Such expertise may be used when the interest is transparent and the final decision includes adequate independent review.
Conflict records shall be maintained and periodically audited.
A failure to disclose a material conflict may require reconsideration of the affected decision and may result in suspension, removal, or other enforcement.