According to an article published in the FEDEMAC Monthly News, FEDEMAC is working on the creation of an Ethics Committee.

This will be to provide a structured forum for considering ethical issues that arise in the organisation’s activities.

The article, by-lined to Ian Studd, a member of the FEDEMAC Board, said that the committee will also ensure that decisions, policies, and practices align with agreed ethical principles, legal requirements, and stakeholder expectations and will prevent misconduct, conflicts of interest, or reputational damage by proactively addressing potential concerns. He said that having such a committee will go a long way towards strengthening trust and accountability, both internally (the Board, Governing Members, General Secretaries, Members, etc.) and externally (customers, clients, regulators, the public).

Ian said that the aim of the committee is to promote a culture of integrity, fairness, and transparency in all organisational operations, and to support responsible decision-making where legal compliance alone may not be enough (e.g. questions of fairness, welfare, or sustainability). The committee will also provide independent oversight, ensuring that policies and decisions are consistent with the organisation’s stated values.

The article added that trade associations exist to represent collective interests and set standards for an entire sector or profession. In real terms, the committee would be setting Standards for its Members and would define and interpret those standards in real-world contexts, ensuring consistency across the membership. It will also provide a mechanism for maintaining credibility of the industry at large by setting expectations for behaviour, integrity, and compliance. It will also focus its attention on ensuring that it provides guidance and advice whilst ensuring fairness and accountability in all its deliberations.