SITMA runs its certification scheme as an independent body and is operated and applied impartially. SITMA takes its impartiality seriously and understands the importance of doing so.

The certification scheme is jointly overseen by an impartial and mixed scheme committee (also known as The Board of Directors), consisting of a balanced and relevant representation from stakeholders, some of which have no direct link to the testing individuals.

The certification scheme is managed by a directly employed, full-time Scheme Manager, who reports to and is a voting member of the scheme committee.

Other employees are all either directly employed and sign a contract that ensures impartiality and confidentiality or is subcontracted and has completed and signed an impartiality form. All staff members, subcontracted or otherwise, are required to declare all conflicts of interest, be they actual or perceived.

Members of the Scheme Committee agree to the terms of reference ‘QMS014 – Board of Directors Terms of Reference’ when agreeing to operate as a director.

The SITMA operates a risk register that is reviewed every 12 months. The purpose of the risk register is to identify threats to its impartiality.

SITMA is responsible for all its decisions relating to the certification of individuals, including granting, maintaining, recertifying, expanding, and reducing the scope of the certification and suspension and withdrawal of certification. It does not delegate these decisions to any third party. This impartiality statement was added in accordance with Section 4.3.1 of ISO/IEC 17024:2012:2012.

ref: QMS001 – v3.5