Impartiality Policy
Apex follows the following principles of impartiality policy:
- Apex certificates are only issued following a review by an independent authorized and competent member of the management team.
- Apex does not offer (and has never offered) management system consultancy or any other form of consultancy to companies or individuals.
- Apex does not offer (and has never offered) an internal audit service to its certified clients.
- Apex does not own or have any interest (financial or otherwise) in any other company that offers management system consultancy services.
- Apex does not have (and will not form) any relationships with companies who offer consultancy or other services that can be construed as having an impact on the certification services provided by Apex.
- Any proposed relationship between Apex and any other company will undergo a risk assessment by the Committee for Impartiality prior to that relationship being formalized.
- Apex will not allocate a member of staff or sub-contractor to a management system audit where any past relationship has existed. Exceptionally and at the discretion of the Technical Manager or Managers an individual or sub-contractor may be allocated to a management system audit where a past relationship has existed but there has been no relationship for a minimum of two (2) years.
- Apex will ensure that it is not linked or marketed in any way which links it with the activities of a management system consultancy and will take appropriate action should any such link be identified.
- Auditors and others involved in the certification process are not and will not be put under any pressure and will not be influenced in any way to come to a particular conclusion regarding the result of an audit.
- Auditors are not allowed to accept any gifts from client / consultants.
- Auditors are not allowed to conduct audit for the organization where any of its family members/ close relatives are involved at a decision-making position.
