Conflict of Interest & Ethics

Definition of Conflict of Interest

A conflict of interest exists when an individual's personal, financial, or professional interests could influence their judgment or decision-making in IRFE matters.

Disclosure Requirements

All board members, committee members, and staff must disclose any potential conflicts annually and immediately when they arise.

• Financial interests in fitness-related businesses
• Personal relationships with candidates or stakeholders
• Professional affiliations that could influence objectivity
• Previous or ongoing business relationships

Automatic Recusal

Individuals must recuse themselves from decisions involving:

• Direct family members or close personal relationships
• Current or former employers/clients
• Business partners or significant financial interests
• Competitors in the same professional category

Recusal Process

When a conflict is identified:

• Individual discloses the conflict to the Ethics Committee
• Ethics Committee reviews and documents the recusal
• Individual is excluded from related discussions and decisions
• Recusal is recorded in meeting minutes and public records

Monitoring and Enforcement

The Ethics Committee monitors compliance and enforces policies through:

• Annual conflict of interest disclosures
• Regular audits of decision-making processes
• Investigation of reported violations
• Disciplinary actions for policy breaches

Breach Consequences

Violations of conflict of interest policies may result in:

• Removal from committee or board positions
• Invalidation of decisions made under conflict
• Public disclosure of the breach and resolution
• Referral to appropriate regulatory authorities if warranted

Code of Ethics

IRFE operates under a comprehensive code of ethics requiring:

• Honesty and integrity in all communications
• Impartiality in evaluation and decision-making
• Confidentiality of sensitive information
• Professional conduct in all interactions
• Commitment to organizational mission and values