Code of Conduct

1. Quality Associates (QA) undertake:
1.1 to provide truly impartial advice to Clients and not to be involved in the supply of any products, including software, either as a principal or as an agent.

2. QA agrees to abide by the following obligations and conditions:

2.1 To respect confidentiality of all information concerning a Client's business and not disclose or permit the disclosure of, or use to the consultant's own advantage, any such information without the Client's prior permission.

2.2 To act, diligently, impartially and honestly at all times and to ensure the work is completed to a high professional standard.

2.3 To accept only those assignments which we are qualified and able to carry out. QA will provide Clients with details of consultants' qualifications before engagement. Should others be engaged to assist with the assignment, to use every endeavour to ensure their qualifications and experience are appropriate to undertake the work.

2.4 To immediately disclose to a Client any personal or financial interest or other significant circumstance which might influence the work for that Client in any way not stated or implied in the Terms of Reference, in particular:

• any directorship or interest in any business in competition to the Client.
• any financial interest in goods or services recommended or supplied to the Client.
• any personal relationship with any individual in the Client's company.
• The existence, but not the name, of any current Client (of the consultancy or the consultant personally) with competing interests.
• any possible 'Conflict of Interest', either perceived or real.

2.5 To provide the Client with a clear written proposal identifying the objectives, scope of work and fee or fee basis for the proposed assignment. In the event of subsequent material changes being required, to submit to the Client, for his acceptance, a revised proposal.

2.6 To maintain effective communications with the Client and to supply precise and adequate written reports and documentation.

2.7 To refrain from inviting any employee of a Client to consider alternative employment (an advertisement in the press is not considered to be an invitation to any particular person).

2.8 To refrain from carrying out an assignment during a period when the consultancy's judgement is, or might be, impaired through any cause.

2.9 To send the Client a Consultancy Service Questionnaire at the completion of each assignment.

Form QA 17 (Issue C) Rev 0
Jan 2001