The Role of Governance in Scheme Impartiality: what organisations should pay attention.

In today's complex and competitive environment, organisations rely on certification schemes to demonstrate compliance, build trust, and gain access to new markets. However the value of certification it is heavily relies on the credibility and impartiality of the scheme behind it. This is where governance plays a vital role. A well-governed Conformity Assessment Scheme (CAS) ensures that decisions are made transparently, impartially, and with balanced stakeholder input—free from undue influence or conflict of interest.

According to IAF MD 25:2022, scheme owners must structure their governance to safeguard impartiality, especially when they are involved in decisions that could influence certification outcomes. Risks arise when governance boards include individuals or organizations—such as competitors of certified companies—who might profit from affecting the scheme's direction. This not only threatens the scheme's integrity but also undermines the trust among participating organizations and their stakeholders. Strong governance necessitates clear policies on board composition, conflict of interest management, and independent oversight.

While ISO certification remains the global benchmark for management systems, many sector-specific and sustainability-driven schemes are gaining traction for their focused value propositions and alignment with market expectations. The International Trade Centre (ITC) notes voluntary standards (Scheme)  are increasingly used by companies to meet market demands, especially when they offer strong governance and transparent stakeholder processes.

Too often, companies do not choose the scheme they engage with—they are simply required to comply with whatever their clients impose. This practice must somehow be reviewed. As organizations become more aware of the risks and responsibilities associated with certification, they should take a more proactive role in selecting schemes that reflect not only technical requirements but also transparency, fairness, and shared values. Before you join any scheme, look at who governs it, how decisions are made, and whether your voice matters in its future direction. 

Based on my fifteen-plus years of experience with Conformity Assessment Schemes (CAS) , I can say with confidence: before you join any scheme, look at who governs it, how decisions are made, and whether your voice matters in its future direction. Make sure there are working groups and open channels where the interests of all stakeholders are genuinely represented—and that the scheme is not a closed club. A CAS  should be a shared platform for progress, not a gatekeeping mechanism controlled by a few.

 CAS  should be a tool for meaningful, credible, and collaborative progress that contributes to the certified organisation's value creation.