Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Certified Persons

All persons holding a QA Assessor certification are required to comply with this Code of Conduct throughout the period of their certification. This code is aligned with Governance Chapter 5 of the QA Assessor Operations Manual.

Reference: QA-CB-GOV-005  |  Applies to: All certified persons  |  Enforcement: PROC-007 (Suspension & Withdrawal)

1. Professional Integrity

Certified persons shall act with integrity, honesty, and professionalism at all times. They shall not engage in any conduct that could bring discredit to themselves, the profession, or QA Assessor. They shall accurately represent their qualifications, competence, and the scope of their certification.

2. Competence & Continuing Development

Certified persons shall maintain and develop the competence required for their certification through ongoing professional development. They shall meet the CPD requirements of their certification scheme (minimum 15 hours per year) and only undertake work for which they are competent.

3. Impartiality & Objectivity

Certified persons shall act impartially and objectively in all professional activities. They shall identify and declare any conflicts of interest in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy. They shall not allow personal, financial, or other interests to compromise their professional judgement.

4. Confidentiality

Certified persons shall respect the confidentiality of all information obtained during the course of their professional activities. They shall not disclose confidential information without proper authorisation, and shall handle all data in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

5. Use of Certification & Certification Mark

Certified persons shall:

  • Only claim certification for the specific scheme and level for which they are certified
  • Not misrepresent the scope, status, or validity of their certification
  • Immediately cease using the certification and certification mark if their certification is suspended, withdrawn, or expired
  • Use the QA Assessor certification mark only in accordance with the mark usage guidelines
  • Not use the certification in a misleading manner or in a way that could damage the reputation of QA Assessor

6. Compliance with Laws & Regulations

Certified persons shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and standards relevant to their professional activities. They shall not engage in any activity that is illegal, unethical, or contrary to the principles of the management system standard for which they are certified.

7. Notification Obligations

Certified persons must notify QA Assessor promptly of:

  • Any material change in their employment, role, or professional status
  • Any legal proceedings, disciplinary actions, or investigations related to their professional conduct
  • Any circumstances that may affect their ability to fulfil the requirements of their certification
  • Any conflicts of interest that arise after certification

8. Enforcement

Breach of this Code of Conduct may result in investigation and, depending on the severity, may lead to suspension or withdrawal of certification in accordance with PROC-007. Complaints about certified persons can be submitted using the complaints process. All complaints are treated confidentially and investigated impartially.

By holding a QA Assessor certification, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.