SETTING GLOBAL STANDARDS FOR TRUSTED AI CREDENTIALSAI Competence Framework v1.29 · current release

Conflict of interest policy

Directors, editors and reviewers hold positions outside this organisation, and some of those positions are with bodies that use the framework. The policy below exists because of that, and is written to be applied rather than cited.

Policy version Rev 1.0 · recusals published at Notices

Declaration

Who declares, and when

Declaration is not limited to directors. Anyone whose judgement shapes the framework or a conformance decision declares on the same terms.

Declarations are made on appointment, confirmed annually, and updated within 20 working days of any change.

DirectorsAll outside positions and interests, including those unrelated to AI.
Editorial group membersEmployment, ownership and paid engagements with training providers, awarding bodies and employers adopting the framework.
ReviewersAny interest in a body whose material they are reviewing, and any commercial relationship with a competing provider.
ContractorsAny interest in a party affected by the work they are contracted to do.
Recusal

Recusal means leaving the discussion, not abstaining from the vote

A director who stays in the room while the matter is discussed has influenced the decision whether or not they voted.

Step 01

The interest is declared before the item is reached, and recorded in the minutes.

Step 02

The conflicted person leaves the discussion. They do not speak to the item, and they do not remain present while it is discussed.

Step 03

They do not vote, and they are not counted towards the quorum for that item.

Step 04

The recusal is published as a dated record naming the person, the decision and the interest.

Always recused

Decisions that trigger recusal automatically

These classes do not require a judgement about materiality. If the director holds an interest, they are out.

Conformance decisions, including any application, renewal, suspension or revocation.
Acceptance of funding, and any variation to the conditions attached to funding.
Appointments to the board, to editorial groups and to conformance panels.
Framework changes that materially affect a related party's product, credential or course.
The record

Where recusals are published

Every recusal is published as a dated record at Notices, naming the person, the decision and the interest, before the decision is taken.

Enforcement

Undeclared conflicts

How to raise one

Write to conflicts@aicertificationstandards.org with the person, the decision and the interest you believe was not declared. You do not need to be affected by the decision to raise it.

What happens then

The matter is considered by unconflicted directors. The outcome is published as a notice, whether or not the concern is upheld.

Consequences of non-declaration

Removal from the board and public correction of the record, following the procedure at Documents.

Page last reviewed 30.08.2026