The new Code of Ethics of Confindustria Assoconsult is now in force

Rome, 31 March 2014 - Accountability, autonomy, trust, integrity. These are the guiding principles of the new Code of Ethics of Confindustria Assoconsult, the Confindustria association of over 500 small, medium and large Italian consulting firms.

The new Code came into force after being ratified by the members' assembly.The new Code, which involved numerous member companies, is the result of long work and an international benchmarking analysis that make it one of the most advanced documents in advanced countries. It indicates good practices and correct behaviour to Confindustria Assoconsult members, but also proves to be a reference model for the entire sector (a fragmented market where there are approximately 18,000 companies, 85% of which operate with less than three employees for a total turnover of just over EUR 3 billion, contributing 0.2% to GDP, source: Osservatorio Confindustria Assoconsult 2012/2013). An experimental period is envisaged until 30 June 2015, until which the sanction rules will not be applicable.

A wide range of interests are protected and the conduct to be observed is detailed. The Code covers the effects of the activity on stakeholders, internal and external: shareholders, partners, employees and collaborators, but also, in a larger circle, employees and collaborators of the customer, customers and users of the goods and services produced and distributed by the customer, shareholders and suppliers of the customer. With regard to rules of conduct, they define pre-announced and verifiable standards: consultancy companies will be assured of appropriate conduct and will benefit from considerable added value.

'This was,' says Ezio Lattanzio, president of Confindustria Assoconsult, 'a major investment in terms of content. The Code of Ethics will be both an integral part of the competences of Italian consultancy and an enrichment and integration of the right approach to companies, which will also benefit from it. And also with regard to the public administration, an area where the action of management consulting is essential - just think of the spending review and the use of European funds - through this document we will have a fundamental tool. In order to grow, consultancy needs a good reputation and public opinion's view of the sector is sometimes ambiguous: compliance with the code will help to clarify between good and bad consultancy and will qualify the entire sector.'