CONCACAF Announces New Code of Conduct for All Current and Future Partners
Enhanced standards and protocols will provide greater accountability and improve operational effectiveness
Miami (Tuesday, October 20, 2015) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) today announced the launch of its new Partner Code of Conduct. The Partner Code of Conduct, which was called for in CONCACAF’s Reform released on July 2015, sets stricter standards and protocols for any party that provides a product or service to CONCACAF or to whom the Confederation makes payments or provides services. Effective immediately, all football, corporate, media and vendor partners will be responsible for adhering to these policies in order to conduct business with CONCACAF.
In a statement, the Confederation said, “Our fans, players, sponsors and Member Associations count on us to conduct business using stricter ethical standards and that includes our work with partners. This new Code of Conduct underscores our responsibility to substantially improve CONCACAF’s operations, while allowing the Confederation to efficiently fulfill our mission of advancing the game of football.”
The Partner Code of Conduct prioritizes three areas: Legal and Regulatory Compliance Practices, Business Practices, and Labor Practices & Human Rights.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance Practices
All CONCACAF partners and their representatives shall conduct their business activities in full compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of the countries, states and localities in which they operate.
Business Practices
CONCACAF partners and their representatives shall conduct their business interactions and activities with integrity and in accordance with their obligations under their specific agreements with CONCACAF.
Labor Practices and Human Rights
CONCACAF expects its partners to share its commitment to human rights and equal opportunity in the workplace. All CONCACAF partners must cooperate with CONCACAF’s commitment to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination as well as conduct their employment practices in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
The Code of Conduct explicitly requires compliance with the anti-corruption laws of the countries in which partners conduct business, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.K. Bribery Act, avoidance of gifts and payments to Executive Committee members and CONCACAF employees, and restrictions on partners conducting business with any employee or representative who has a family member with a financial interest in the partner’s business.
In accordance with CONCACAF’s Reform Framework, the Code of Conduct also authorizes the Confederation to audit its partners’ internal controls and operational effectiveness. Additionally, CONCACAF will set up a Partner Ethics Hotline, to be overseen by the Confederation’s compliance team, where whistleblowers can safely and securely report questionable behavior or possible violations of the Code of Conduct.
All of CONCACAF’s existing partners are responsible for complying with the Code of Conduct and educating all employees and representatives who may conduct business on its behalf. Moving forward, compliance with the Partner Code of Conduct will be required as part of the Confederation’s partner selection process.
