CIPS defines ethical procurement and supply as processes that respect international standards against criminal conduct like bribery, corruption, fraud, and human rights abuses. There are four essential steps for organizations to improve ethical standards: 1) train staff on ethical procurement and supplier management, 2) adopt CIPS's corporate code of ethics, 3) have leadership publicly commit to ethical sourcing, and 4) renew steps annually. Taking these steps earns an organization public recognition on CIPS's corporate ethical register and reduces financial and reputational risks.

1. Leading global excellence in procurement and supply
SYNDICATED
Essential steps for
corporate
ethicalprocurement
and supply
cIpS corporate ethical
procurement and Supply
is a pathway which demonstrates your
organisation’s integrity and commitment to
ethics, helping to safeguard your supply chain
and your reputation in the process. By taking
the necessary steps to achieve the CIPS
Corporate Ethical Mark and a listing on the
CIPS Corporate Ethical Register, you can
increase confidence in your business and
reduce financial and reputational risk.
corporateetHIcaL
procUreMeNtaND
SUppLYHIGHLIGHtS
Helps protect
against supply chain malpractice, and financial and reputational risk
Builds confidence levels
in your key stakeholders
Develops and trains
appropriate staff to high professional ethical standards
Demonstrates commitment
to integrity in your procurement and supply management practices
Instills pride in staff
by knowing they work for an ethically oriented company
Shows your commitment
to self governance and accountability

2. Driving ethical
practicesforward
cIpS now formally recognises organisations that are committed to ethical
procurement and supply, and to demonstrating accountability through self
governance. ethical procurement and supply is defined by cIpS as processes which
respect and address fundamental international standards against criminal conduct
and result in progressive improvements to the lives of people and the environment.
Taking these four essential steps will help your organisation improve ethical
standards and drive out malpractice, in terms of bribery, corruption, fraud and
human rights abuse, including modern slavery.
How does corporate ethical procurement and Supply work?
train and test your staff
all staff responsible for sourcing and management of suppliers
should be fully trained in ethical procurement and supplier
management. a two-hour e-learning ethical procurement and Supply
training package, with online test, is available from cIpS.
adopt cIpS corporate code of ethics
By operating procurement and supply
management in accordance with this code,
your organisation can uphold ethical standards.
publicly state your organisation’s commitment
By signing the cIpS Statement of commitment,
your ceo, chief procurement officer (cpo) or senior
accountable officer reinforces your organisation’s
focus on sourcing and managing suppliers ethically.
the benefits
• reputation: Strengthen your
reputation by publicly
demonstrating your commitment
to ethical procurement and
supply practices
• Safeguard: Help to protect your
organisation from potential
supply chain malpractice
• Understanding: Demonstrate
respect and awareness of
international standards against
criminal conduct, including
bribery, corruption, fraud and
human rights abuse
• Boost morale: Increase employee
confidence through the
knowledge they are conducting
their work in a consistently ethical
manner.
1
2
3
renew
to ensure the
knowledge and focus
on ethical
procurement and
supply management
within your
organisation remains
current, repeat each
of the above steps
annually.
4
By taking these four steps your organisation will achieve public recognition from CIPS
via an internationally published listing on the CIPS Corporate Ethical Register and a CIPS
Corporate Ethical Mark which you can use in your own literature. This demonstrates to
suppliers, customers, potential employees and other stakeholders that your organisation
is committed to training your staff in ethical sourcing and that you have adopted ethical
values in the way you source and manage your suppliers.
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email: corporate.solutions@cips.org•www.cips.org/corporate-ethics
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