PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 18 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: ASF Policy 4; WHO FENSA (exclusion of tobacco and arms industries; due diligence on non-State actors); EU MGA Art. 14; UN Global Compact principles
1. Purpose and scope
To define which gifts, donations, grants and commercial relationships PHIG accepts, how it checks donors and partners, and how it protects its independence. Applies to the Board, the Director, staff, consultants, volunteers, experts, partners and suppliers of PHIG and all platforms of its network.
2. Policy
- PHIG accepts no funding, sponsorship, donation, hospitality or in-kind support from: the tobacco, nicotine and vaping industry and entities they fund; the arms industry; any company whose products or services the network assesses, accredits, reviews or ranks, or their trade associations; any party under sanctions or exclusion; any source whose origin cannot be established.
- Alcohol, gambling, fossil-fuel and ultra-processed-food companies are declined as sponsors of health programmes; any exception requires a Board decision with reasons published.
- Donations are unrestricted or restricted to a programme, never to an outcome; a donor has no say in a verdict, accreditation result, article, course grade or research finding.
- Donors above EUR 5,000 per year are listed in the annual summary with the amount band; anonymity is granted only to private individuals and only if the gift is not from an excluded source.
- Due diligence proportionate to the amount: identity, source of funds, ownership, sanctions and reputational screening; enhanced for amounts above EUR 25,000, politically exposed persons and high-risk jurisdictions.
- Commercial services are priced to cover costs and contribute to programmes; fees pay for work, never results; revenue from any single client is capped at 25% of annual income to protect independence.
- PHIG does not endorse products or companies; the Sheni Labs mark on a product page states that an assessment was made and by whom, nothing more.
3. Procedures
- Due-diligence checklist completed before acceptance; Director decides up to EUR 25,000, Board above.
- Declined offers logged with reasons.
Responsibilities
Board; Director; finance function.
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”).