SIPMM Professional Code of Ethics
Introduction
The International Federation
of Purchasing & Supply Management (IFPSM) require all national institutes, around the
world to embrace a professional Code of Ethics. As the national institute in
Every SIPMM member
shall undertake to abide by the Code and shall regard the Code as the basis of
best conduct in their professional practice. Any member found in breach of the
Code shall face appropriate disciplinary action.
Members should raise any matter of concern
of an ethical nature with their immediate supervisor or another senior
colleague if appropriate, irrespective of whether such a matter is explicitly
addressed in the Code.
Precepts to Professional Conduct
Members shall always seek to uphold and
enhance the standing of the Purchasing, Logistics and Supply profession and
will always act professionally and selflessly by:
1) Maintaining the highest
possible standard of integrity in all their business relationships both inside
and outside the organisations where they work;
2) Rejecting and denouncing any
business practice that is improper;
3) Enhancing the proficiency and
stature of the profession by acquiring and maintaining current technical
knowledge and standards of ethical behaviour;
4) Fostering the highest
standards of professional competence amongst those for whom they are
responsible;
5) Optimising the use of
resources which they influence and for which they are responsible to provide
the maximum benefit to their employing organisation;
6) Complying both with the
letter and the spirit of:
(a) The laws of the country in
which they practise;
(b) The Institute’s Guidance on
Professional Practice as outlined below and as may be issued by the Institute
from time to time; and
(c)
Contractual obligations.
Guidance on Professional Practice
In applying these precepts, members should
follow the guidance set out below:
(A) Declaration of interest - Any personal
interest that may impinge or might reasonably be deemed by others to impinge on
a member's impartiality in any matter relevant to his or her duties should be
declared to the employer.
(B) Confidentiality and accuracy of
information - The confidentiality of information received in the course of
duty should be respected and should never be used for personal gain.
Information given in the course of duty should be true and fair and not
designed to mislead.
(C) Competition - While considering the
advantages to the member’s employer of maintaining a continuing relationship
with a supplier, any arrangement that might, in the long term, prevent the
effective operation of fair competition should be avoided.
(D) Business gifts - Business gifts, other
than items of very small intrinsic value such as business diaries or calendars,
should not be accepted.
(E) Hospitality
- The recipient should not allow himself or herself to be influenced or be
perceived by others to have been influenced in making a business decision as a
consequence of accepting hospitality. The frequency and scale of hospitality
accepted should be managed openly and with care and should not be greater than
the member's employer is able to reciprocate.
(F) Advice - When it is not
easy to decide between what is and is not acceptable, advice should be sought
from the member's superior, another senior colleague or the Institute as
appropriate. Advice on any aspect of the Code is available from the Institute.