1. Policy Statement
QA Assessor requires all personnel, committee members, examiners, contractors, and candidates to identify, declare, and manage any interests that could compromise—or be reasonably perceived to compromise—the impartiality of the certification process.
This policy applies to both the certification and training functions of QA Assessor.
2. What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest may arise when personal, professional, or financial relationships could influence, or appear to influence, certification decisions. Examples include:
- Training or coaching a candidate and then assessing their certification
- Close personal relationships with candidates or certified persons
- Financial interests in organizations affected by certification outcomes
- Receiving gifts or inducements that could affect judgment
QA Assessor treats actual, potential, and perceived conflicts with equal seriousness.
3. Declaration and Management
All individuals involved in certification activities are required to:
- Declare any known conflicts of interest before participating in certification activities
- Disclose new conflicts if they arise during the certification process
- Recuse themselves from decisions where a conflict exists
QA Assessor applies safeguards such as:
- Independent review of certification decisions
- Reassignment of responsibilities to eliminate conflicts
- Pausing or reviewing certification activities if a conflict cannot be managed
Training and certification records are kept separate to protect impartiality.
4. Candidate Responsibility
Candidates are expected to disclose any professional, financial, or personal relationships that could affect impartiality. Failure to declare a conflict may affect certification eligibility or outcomes.
5. Reporting Concerns
Anyone who becomes aware of an undeclared or potential conflict of interest may report it confidentially to:
📧 certification@qaassessor.com
All reports are treated confidentially and investigated promptly. QA Assessor does not retaliate against anyone who raises a concern in good faith.
6. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure its continued suitability and effectiveness and is publicly available.