Code of Ethics

Every member of SCPMI. Every holder of an SCPMI credential. Every instructor, assessor, examiner and volunteer acting in the Institute's name. Every accredited partner and alliance partner, and anyone acting for one in connection with SCPMI programs. And the Institute itself, including its leadership.

Supply chain and procurement professionals hold real authority. They decide who supplies, on what terms, and at what standard. That authority is exercised largely out of sight, which is precisely why the profession needs a code and why the Institute holds itself to the same one.

• 1.1 Act honestly. Do not misrepresent facts, capability, qualifications or outcomes.
• 1.2 Do not claim a credential you do not hold, a level of membership you have not reached, or a relationship with the Institute that does not exist.
• 1.3 Where you are wrong, say so and correct it.

• 2.1 Make professional judgments on their merits.
• 2.2 Declare any interest capable of affecting your impartiality, to your employer, your client and, where relevant, the Institute.
• 2.3 Withdraw from a decision where your interest, or the interest of someone close to you, could reasonably be seen to affect it.
• 2.4 Do not use a position within the Institute to obtain an advantage for yourself or your organization.

• 3.1 Do not offer, give, request or accept anything intended to improperly influence a decision.
• 3.2 This includes payments, gifts, hospitality, employment, favors and anything else of value where the purpose or the appearance is improper.
• 3.3 Modest and transparent hospitality in the normal course of business is not caught by this. If you would be uncomfortable if it were published, it is.
• 3.4 Do not participate in collusion, bid rigging, price fixing or any other arrangement that distorts competition.

• 4.1 Protect confidential information belonging to your employer, your clients, your suppliers and the Institute, in full compliance with applicable law.
• 4.2 Do not use confidential information for personal advantage.
• 4.3 These obligations continue after the relationship that created them has ended.

• 5.1 Treat suppliers, colleagues, other professionals and other organizations fairly and consistently.
• 5.2 Do not use a position of buying power to impose terms that are unconscionable.
• 5.3 Pay what is owed, when it is owed.
• 5.4 Give a decision honestly, including an unsuccessful one, and give reasons where you are able to.

• 6.1 Treat others with respect, whatever their role, seniority, background or location.
• 6.2 Do not harass, bully, demean or discriminate.
• 6.3 Disagree with the argument rather than the person.

• 7.1 Do not knowingly participate in, or turn away from, forced labor, child labor, human trafficking or unsafe working conditions in a supply chain you influence.
• 7.2 Where you become aware of such a practice, raise it.
• 7.3 Consider the environmental and social consequences of a sourcing decision, not only its cost.
• 7.4 Where applicable, apply the principles of the United Nations Global Compact on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.

• 8.1 Work within your competence, and be honest about its limits.
• 8.2 Maintain your capability through continuing professional development.
• 8.3 Do not hold yourself out as qualified in something you are not.

• 9.1 Do not cheat, assist cheating, or share examination content.
• 9.2 Do not misrepresent experience, qualifications or evidence submitted for a credential or a recognition.
• 9.3 Where you assess, examine or teach, do not act where you have an interest in the outcome.
• 9.4 Issue, confer or represent an SCPMI credential only where, and in the manner, you are authorized to do so.
• 9.5 Respect all copyrights, trademarks and intellectual property belonging to the Institute and to others, including examination content, learning materials, standards and marks.
• 9.6 A credential obtained through misrepresentation is withdrawn.

• 10.1 Describe a credential accurately, including whether it is current.
• 10.2 Do not use the Institute's name, marks or credentials to imply an endorsement of a product, a service or an organization.
• 10.3 A certificate of completion is not a certification, and is not described as one.
• 10.4 Do not use the marks in a way that suggests a relationship with the Institute beyond the one you have.

The Institute holds itself to this Code in its own conduct.

It does not consult on organizations it audits. It separates those who teach from those who certify. It publishes what it measures whether or not the measures flatter it. It does not make an adverse decision about a person by automated means alone. It states plainly what it is not, including that it is not accredited under the standard to which its schemes are designed.

Where the Institute falls short of this Code, the Advisory Council exists to say so.

• 12.1 Where you believe this Code has been breached, by a member, a credential holder, someone acting for the Institute, or the Institute itself, report it under the Reporting, Investigation and Discipline Policy.
• 12.2 A report made in good faith is protected. Retaliation against the person who made it is itself a breach of this Code.
• 12.3 No member is required to raise a concern in a way that would put them at risk.

• 13.1 This Code sets a standard rather than a list of prohibitions. Conduct that falls below the standard is caught whether or not it is described here.
• 13.2 Where the Code and local law conflict, follow the law and tell the Institute.
• 13.3 Where the Code sets a higher standard than local practice, follow the Code.

• A.1 The Institute may amend this document. A change that is not material takes effect when it is published.
• A.2 Where a change is material, the Institute gives thirty days' notice by email or by notification within the service before it takes effect. The Institute determines, acting reasonably, whether a change is material.
• A.3 Continued use of the Institute's services after the effective date is acceptance of the change. Where the law requires fresh consent, the Institute asks for it, and processing carried out before the change remains valid.
• A.4 Rights already granted to the Institute with respect to content already contributed are not affected by a later change.
• A.5 Every version is numbered, dated and archived. The version in force is published on the website. A previous version is available on request.