Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
Qelvea Standards is committed to maintaining impartiality, objectivity, and fairness in the administration of the Qelvea Refined Finish Index™ (RFI).
This page explains how conflicts of interest are identified, managed, and mitigated.
Purpose of This Policy
This policy exists to:
- protect the integrity of the RFI
- ensure decisions are based on published criteria only
- prevent undue influence on assessment or licensing
- maintain trust among applicants, licensees, and the public
Impartiality is fundamental to the credibility of a private professional standard.
Independence of Qelvea Standards
Qelvea Standards operates independently from service delivery.
- Qelvea Standards does not provide beauty treatments
- Qelvea Standards does not provide training or education services
- Accreditation decisions are not influenced by commercial interests
Where related entities exist, clear separation is maintained between:
- service provision
- assessment
- decision-making
- licensing
What Constitutes a Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest may arise where an individual or entity involved in assessment or governance has:
- a financial interest in the outcome
- a personal or professional relationship with an applicant
- a commercial advantage linked to accreditation decisions
- prior involvement that could compromise objectivity
Both actual and perceived conflicts are considered.
Identification of Conflicts
Reasonable steps are taken to identify conflicts of interest, including:
- declaration requirements where relevant
- review of relationships prior to assessment or decision
- ongoing awareness throughout the assessment process
Failure to declare a relevant conflict may result in corrective action.
Management of Conflicts
Where a conflict of interest is identified:
- the conflicted individual does not participate in the assessment or decision
- alternative review or decision arrangements are applied
- governance oversight ensures continuity and fairness
Decisions are not made where impartiality cannot be assured.
Separation of Roles
To maintain objectivity:
- assessment and governance functions are separated
- licensed use decisions are not influenced by application fees
- enforcement decisions are governed independently
No individual is permitted to control all stages of the process.
Financial Neutrality
Payment of application or renewal fees:
- does not influence assessment outcomes
- does not guarantee accreditation
- does not affect enforcement decisions
Fees relate to administration only.
Monitoring & Review
This policy is:
- reviewed periodically
- updated where necessary to reflect best practice
- applied consistently across all activities
Impartiality risks are monitored as part of ongoing governance.
Transparency
Qelvea Standards supports transparency by:
- publishing governance arrangements
- defining assessment criteria clearly
- separating accreditation from promotion or endorsement
This allows informed understanding of what accreditation represents.
Raising Concerns
Concerns relating to impartiality or conflicts of interest may be raised through the Appeals & Complaints process.
All concerns are handled proportionately and confidentially.
Limitations
This policy:
- does not constitute regulation
- does not guarantee outcomes
- relates solely to administration of a private professional standard
The Qelvea Refined Finish Index™
Administered with impartiality, restraint, and accountability.