PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 66 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: ASF advisory services policy; ISO/IEC 17020 and 17065 impartiality principles (reference); COPE guidance on conflicts; Policies 01, 18, 26
1. Purpose and scope
PHIG and its platforms provide paid services — commissioned assessments, accreditation readiness reviews, training, research, evaluations. This policy ensures that paid work is impartial, separated from PHIG’s independent assessments and publications, and transparent. Applies to the Board, the Director, staff, consultants, volunteers, experts, partners and suppliers of PHIG and all platforms of its network.
2. Policy
- Services are delivered under written contract stating scope, method, deliverables, fee (which pays for the work, never for a result), confidentiality, publication rights and the client’s right of reply.
- Impartiality: no person delivers a paid service to an organisation they will assess, accredit, review or rank within three years; the Sheni Labs Scientific Committee and the journal’s editors do not take fees from organisations within their remit.
- Separation: commissioned work is coded separately in the accounts; its results are published only with the client’s agreement, but the fact that the work was done and for whom is listed annually unless confidentiality is justified in writing.
- Findings are reported as they are; a client may not change findings; if the client withdraws, PHIG keeps the fee for work done and may publish that the engagement ended.
- Advisory services do not include writing a client’s policies that PHIG or ASF would later assess, unless the assessment is done by a different body.
- Pricing covers full cost plus a contribution to PHIG’s programmes; pro bono services are granted by the Director under published criteria.
3. Procedures
- Service contract template; impartiality check at engagement; annual list of clients.
Responsibilities
Director; platform leads; Board on conflicts.
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”).