It is the policy of Universal Registrars to operate its business in accordance with the guiding principles of impartiality, competence, responsibility, openness, confidentiality and responsiveness. GL-BA views the safeguarding of impartiality as paramount in maintaining confidence. GL-BA senior management has established and promoted an impartiality policy with associated objectives on which GL-BA certification service will be based.

A relationship that threatens GL-BA’s impartiality can be based upon ownership, governance, personnel, shared resources, finances, contracts, marketing and payment of a sales commission or other inducement for the referral of new clients etc.

All Directors, staff and sub-contractors are required to complete and sign the Compliance with Conflict of Interest Policy.

GL-BA's top management are committed to impartiality in its management system certification activities, and has appointed an independent Impartiality Committee. In any event representation of a balance of interests shall be such that no single interest will be allowed to predominate at any convening thereof.

The Committee safeguards the impartiality of GL-BA with duties and responsibilities that include.

• Assisting in developing policies relating to impartiality of certification activities.
• Counteracting any tendency to allow commercial or other considerations to prevent the consistent, objective provision of certification activities.
• Advising on matters affecting confidence in certification, including openness and public perception.
• Conducting a review, at least annually, of the impartiality of the audit, certification and GL-BA decision making processes.

The Impartiality Committee has ultimate authority for matters relating to GL-BA impartiality and to maintaining integrity of the certification process.