During all assessment and certification activities, the management of DQS is strictly committed to impartiality as an essential element in the conduct of audits and certifications. Potential conflict of interest is managed in order to assure the objectivity of all certification activities.
The value of DQS certificates is in the degree of confidence and trust that customers and markets place in DQS. Customers of certified organizations and end users expect to rely on DQS certificates. To promote this confidence, DQS takes into account the following principles in all of its activities:
Impartiality requires independence from any undue influence upon certification decisions, which shall be objective and purely fact-based. Competence is a key asset in ensuring professional audits that lead to valid results. Every employee in every function shall be duly competent for their assigned tasks. At DQS we take responsibility for our activities and their results.
For a certification body, openness means unrestricted access to certification services without any undue discrimination. Confidentiality is another key asset in building sustainable business partnerships with our customers. Professional data and information protection is a continuous activity at DQS.
A corporate code of ethics has been established, defining consistent corporate values and principles in all DQS organizations worldwide.
Michael Drechsel and Ingo M. Rübenach, DQS Holding GmbH
Declaration on independence, impartiality, objectivity, neutrality and confidentiality as well as on handling of conflicts of interest
Personal declaration on independence, impartiality, objectivity, neutrality and confidentiality as well as on handling of conflicts of interest