Independence and Non-Consultancy Policy

FVR operates with functional, financial and operational independence from the clients it certifies. It does not provide consultancy on the management systems or competencies it assesses.

Applies to FVR and to any legal entity within the same corporate structure. Applies to all FVR personnel and to every activity of the body: scheme design, assessment, decision, surveillance, recertification, transfer and communication.

FVR and its personnel will NOT:

1. Provide consultancy on management systems or competencies to clients the certification body certifies, will audit, or is in the process of certifying.
2. Perform internal audits of the management system of a certified client or a client seeking certification.
3. Design or implement a client's management system.
4. Promise faster, easier or cheaper certification if a specific consultant is hired.
5. Engage in joint marketing with consultants who provide services to the certification body's clients.
6. Accept gifts, hospitality or payments exceeding the token value defined in the anti-bribery policy.

Clients certified by FVR for individual competence (17024 line) may also be certified for management systems (17021 line) by FVR. This does not constitute consultancy, because both certifications are objective, independent assessment activities — neither designs, implements or advises on the other system. Standard impartiality safeguards apply: independent assessment teams per line, financial concentration analysis, and review by the Safeguarding Committee.

FVR does not take part in commercial events, trade fairs, webinars or promotional material jointly with external consultants who advise companies that are certified clients of FVR or are in the process of certification with FVR. This includes:

• Shared logos
• Co-branding
• Joint presentations
• Cross-references on social media

• Generic public training on standards (not consultancy specific to a client's system)
• Public information about FVR's certification processes

FVR does offer pre-recorded training on the standards, AI-validated and with no live instruction. Preparation is generic, independent of the certification decision, and confers no advantage whatsoever in the assessment.

• Half-yearly analysis of the client portfolio (financial concentration)
• The annual internal audit reviews compliance with clauses 5.2.5 / 5.2.6
• Review by the Safeguarding Committee