Policy 67 — Impartiality and Independence Undertaking

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PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 67 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: ASF secretariat impartiality undertaking; ISO/IEC 17020 clause 4.1 and ISO/IEC 17065 clause 4.2 (impartiality); ISQua principles; WHO FENSA; Policies 01, 18, 26, 66

1. Purpose and scope

This undertaking is the formal statement that PHIG, as an institute that assesses, publishes and advises, is independent of commercial, political and donor influence, and it sets the mechanisms that protect that independence. Applies to the Board, the Director, staff, consultants, volunteers, experts, partners and suppliers of PHIG and all platforms of its network.

2. Policy

1. PHIG’s assessments, verdicts, accreditation readiness reports, publications and advice are based solely on evidence and the published method; no donor, client, partner, Board member, government or industry may determine, prevent or alter them.
2. Mechanisms: declarations of interest; exclusion of conflicted persons; separation of paid services from independent assessment; the firm exclusion of the tobacco, nicotine, vaping and arms industries and of parties under assessment as funders; the income-concentration caps; editorial independence of the platforms; the Scientific Committee as final arbiter of contested verdicts; the right of reply.
3. Threats to impartiality (self-interest, self-review, familiarity, intimidation, financial pressure) are identified and recorded in an impartiality risk analysis reviewed annually by the Integrity and Ethics Committee.
4. Any attempt to influence an assessment or publication improperly is recorded, refused and may be published.
5. The Chair and every Board member sign this undertaking on appointment.

3. Procedures

1. Impartiality risk analysis; signed undertakings on file; annual review.

Responsibilities

Board; Integrity and Ethics Committee; Director.

Review

Every two years and when donor rules change.

Part of the PHIG Policy Framework. Breaches and concerns may be reported under the Whistleblowing Procedure to info@accreditation.ge (subject “Confidential — integrity”).