EAASS Initiative · 100+ signatories

Sustainability and Security Assessment Initiative

An ethical basis for sound assessment practice — for competitiveness, sustainable development and security across the industries of the Eurasian region.

What it is

A public commitment, not a statement of intent

Standards describe what an organisation must do. They do not describe how those who audit it behave. Between a formally impeccable audit and one conducted in good faith, a standard sees no difference — the market does.

The Initiative closes that gap. It is a set of principles an organisation accepts publicly: on the good faith of assessment, impartiality, competence and responsibility for the conclusion issued. Joining is voluntary and carries no commercial obligation.

Signing does not replace certification and confers no advantage in accreditation. It records a position — and makes that position verifiable: the list of signatories is public.

Principles

Six principles of sound assessment

The principles are written so that they can be broken — and so that a breach is visible. General language that cannot be tested was left out of the Initiative.

01
Good faith in assessment
The conclusion reflects the actual state of affairs, not the client's expectations. A nonconformity that has been identified is recorded — however inconvenient that may be for the parties.
02
Impartiality
An organisation does not assess what it has itself designed, implemented or advised on. Conflicts of interest are identified before the work begins, not explained afterwards.
03
Competence
Assessment is carried out by personnel with confirmed competence in the specific field. A lack of competence in an area is grounds to decline the work, not a reason to perform it formally.
04
Transparency of criteria
The rules of assessment are known to the client in advance and do not change along the way. A decision rests on the criteria of the scheme, not on the discretion of an individual auditor.
05
Confidentiality
Information obtained in the course of assessment is not used outside its purpose and is not disclosed to third parties, except where the scheme or the law expressly provides for it.
06
Responsibility for the result
The organisation is prepared to explain the grounds for its decision and to consider objections on their merits. A complaint is a working procedure, not a reputational incident.
Participants

Who the Initiative is for

Any organisation on any of the three sides of the assessment relationship may join: the one being assessed, the one assessing, and the one that accepts the result.

First party
Companies and producers
Organisations that undergo assessment and have an interest in its result meaning something beyond the document issued.
  • Clear criteria for choosing a certification body
  • Comparability of results across jurisdictions
  • A public position on the quality of assessment
Second party
Certification bodies and experts
Organisations that carry out assessment: certification bodies, expert and training organisations, independent auditors.
  • Common rules of conduct in the assessment market
  • Access to the Association's schemes and requirements
  • A route to accreditation through EAAC
Third party
Industry unions and associations
Organisations that accept assessment results as grounds for admission, membership or work with suppliers.
  • A basis for mutual recognition agreements
  • Participation in developing industry requirements
  • Representation on the expert councils
Joining

How to join the Initiative

Joining is free of charge and is not tied to membership of the Association. An organisation accepts the principles and is entered in the public list of signatories.

100+
Organisations have joined
the Initiative
10+
Agreements with industry
unions and associations
01
Application
The organisation submits an application to join, stating its details and field of activity. The form is sent on request.
02
Review
The Association confirms that the organisation exists, operates in the field stated and is not subject to standing sanctions of the professional community.
03
Publication
The organisation is entered in the list of signatories. The list is public: the position taken is visible to everyone, clients and partners included.
To join, write to info@eaass.org stating the name of the organisation and its field of activity. You will receive the application form and the text of the principles in the version current at the date of enquiry.
Write to the Association Contact
Who develops the requirements
Structure
Three standing committees, three expert councils and a research and practice centre. The principles of the Initiative rest on the same logic of separated functions as the structure of the Association.
Structure
The step beyond the Initiative
Membership
Joining the Initiative does not require membership. Organisations ready to take part in developing requirements and in the work of the committees join the Association as associate members.
Membership terms