Gifts and Hospitality

Introduction

5420.1 Firms are required to comply with the fundamental principles, be independent and apply the conceptual framework set out in Section 5120 to identify, evaluate and address threats to independence. 5420.2 Accepting gifts and hospitality from a sustainability assurance client might create a self-interest, familiarity or intimidation threat. This section sets out a specific requirement and application material relevant to applying the conceptual framework in such circumstances.

Requirement and Application Material

R5420.3

A firm, network firm or a sustainability assurance team

member shall not accept gifts and hospitality from a sustainability assurance client, unless the value is trivial and inconsequential. 5420.3 A1 Where a firm, network firm or sustainability assurance team member is offering or accepting an inducement to or from a sustainability assurance client, the requirements and application material set out in Section 5340 apply and non- compliance with these requirements might create threats to independence. 5420.3 A2 The requirements set out in Section 5340 relating to offering or accepting inducements do not allow a firm, network firm or sustainability assurance team member to accept gifts and hospitality where the intent is to improperly influence behavior even if the value is trivial and inconsequential.