Developing the ‘art and science’ of procurement and supply management

Everything we do is underpinned by the development of knowledge and understanding around purchasing and supply. This knowledge is integral to our long-term strategy and reputation as a leading authority on procurement issues.

We also support vital academic research into tomorrow’s procurement challenges. In addition to our consultative work with some of the world’s leading organisations, this intelligence enables us to visualise and prepare you for leading-edge practice of the future.

Continuously improving the professional standards of practitioners

A key aspect of our work is to promote and maintain high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all procurement and supply management practitioners.  We do this through our professional qualifications programme, associated membership standard, public access training and comprehensive learning resources. As a member, you’ll also be bound by a code of ethics and encouraged to make a lifelong commitment to your own professional development. What’s more, we’re custodians of the National Occupational Standards in Supply Chain Management ,  which means we can provide you with authoritative guidance on procurement management issues.

Promoting excellence in organisations

We believe that by enabling you to achieve and maintain high standards in procurement, we can help to improve the effectiveness of your organisation.  To do this, we provide industry-leading staff education and training programmes. We can also improve your staff’s performance through rigorous assessment and accreditation of their purchasing and supply procedures.  What’s more, wherever possible we share best practice between peer groups.

Representing individuals’ interests and views

We represent the interests of the profession and the views of our members. In fact, our special interest groups, online and face-to-face,  encourage members to share their opinions and knowledge with the wider community. We’re also directly involved in shaping procurement policy for the UK Government and European Commission, and our consultative response process allows us to represent members’ views at the highest level.

As the Charted Institute of Purchasing & Supply, we enjoy a Royal Charter. We were awarded the Charter in 1992 in recognition of our leading role in supporting and furthering the interests of the purchasing and supply industry.

The awarding of a Royal Charter

Royal Charters are only awarded to a select group of professional bodies that can demonstrate excellence in key areas. These include:

• Being the leading representative of the profession or function in its sector
• Providing a professional qualification at Honours Degree level, which is the accepted benchmark for the profession
• Binding members by a code of conduct
• Serving the public good and providing a platform of stability and permanence which is fostered through the re-investment of revenues

Our Royal Charter defines our objectives as follows:

 “To promote and develop for the public benefit the art and science of purchasing and supply and to encourage the promotion and development of improved methods of purchasing and supply in all organisations;  

To promote and maintain for the benefit of the public high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among all those engaged in purchasing and supply;  

To educate persons engaged in the practice of purchasing and supply and by means of examination and other methods of assessment to test the skill and knowledge of persons desiring to enter the Institute.”

What does this mean in practice:

“To focus on how the theory and practice of purchase and supply may be improved for the benefit of the public;

To encourage the promotion and development of improved methods of purchasing and supply in all organisations;  

To promote and maintain high standards of professional skill, ability and integrity among everyone who works within the purchasing and supply sector;  

To provide tailored educational opportunities for people employed in the purchasing and supply industry;

To develop a portfolio of rigorous assessments through examination and other methods to test the skill and knowledge of anyone who wishes to join the Institute.”

As part of our membership, anyone who wants to join The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply must sign up to our Code of Ethics. The Code is regularly reviewed - the last major review and update was in March 2009.

As a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply, I will:

• maintain the highest standard of integrity in all my business relationships
• reject any business practice which might reasonably be deemed improper
• never use my authority or position for my own personal gain
• enhance the proficiency and stature of the profession by acquiring and applying knowledge in the most appropriate way
• foster the highest standards of professional competence amongst those for whom I am responsible
• optimise the use of resources which I have influence over for the benefit of my organisation
• comply with both the letter and the intent of:
  - the law of countries in which I practise
  - agreed contractual obligations
  - CIPS guidance on professional practice
• declare any personal interest that might affect, or be seen by others to affect, my impartiality or decision making
• ensure that the information I give in the course of my work is accurate
• respect the confidentiality of information I receive and never use it for personal gain
• strive for genuine, fair and transparent competition
• not accept inducements or gifts, other than items of small value such as business diaries or calendars
• always to declare the offer or acceptance of hospitality and never allow hospitality to influence a business decision
• remain impartial in all business dealing and not be influenced by those with vested interests

This Code was approved by the CIPS Council on 11 March 2009.

Applying the Code

As a Member of CIPS, you must abide by the Code and require every person, business or organisation you work with during your professional practice to do so too.

In addition, you are expected to encourage your organisation to adopt an ethical purchasing policy based on the principles of this Code and to raise any matter of concern relating to business ethics at an appropriate level.

Breaching the Code

Our Royal Charter sets out a disciplinary procedure in which the Disciplinary Committee may investigate complaints against any of our Members. If it is found that a Member has breached our Code of Ethics, the Disciplinary Committee is authorised to take appropriate action.  Contact us directly for further information or advice on any aspect of our Code of Ethics.

PDF copy of CIPS code of ethics

Vision

We will achieve universal recognition that excellence in purchasing and supply management is an imperative for responsible organisational success and hence the public good.

Mission

We aim to fulfil the objectives of our Royal Charter, deliver value to our stakeholders and be recognised as a point of reference and authority. Specifically, we will:

• Promote, represent and explain the business discipline and good practice of purchasing and supply management
• Research, develop and endorse improved methods in purchasing and supply management
• Assist all organisations in developing their capability in purchasing and supply management with the right strategies, processes, people and leadership
• Support individuals in developing, demonstrating and qualifying in the profession of purchasing and supply management

View CIPS Annual review 2009/10 here

Annual review 2008 / 09