Conflict of Interest Policy
A conflict must be disclosed, assessed, and addressed before affected authority is exercised. Recusal, independent review, restriction, divestment, or non-participation may be required; some conflicts are incompatible with the role. Disclosure alone does not cure a conflict.
Purpose
This policy exists to protect the Foundation’s mission, credibility, and decision quality.
Core rules
- Board members disclose material conflicts before deliberation.
- Board members recuse themselves from conflicted votes or discussions.
- The Foundation documents recusals in minutes or decision records.
- Ongoing financial or professional relationships that affect independence must be reviewed.
- No board member should use service to influence certification, procurement, or partnership outcomes for personal gain.
- Related-party, standards, research, assessment, certification, credential, Registry, funding, and commercial decisions require the additional Charter v3.0 controls applicable to that function.
What counts as a conflict
- Financial dependence on Foundation outcomes
- Employment or ownership ties to entities materially affected by Foundation decisions
- Family or close personal relationships affecting judgment
- Competitive interests that distort oversight
- Any arrangement that would make an independent observer question impartiality
Enforcement posture
Repeated failure to disclose conflicts, or use of board position for outside gain, should be grounds for removal review.