Etika · Certification Methodology · AM-05
Ethics Council Referral
Mandatory referral of every certified system to the independent Ethics Review Council.
1. Mandate
The Ethics Review Council is an independent body convened by Etika with no commercial relationship to applicants. Its remit covers ethical, social, cultural, and rights-based questions that fall outside purely technical assurance.
2. Referral package
Assessors submit scope statement, summary of evidence, AM-04 interview themes, AM-03 reproduction outputs, residual risks, and proposed determination. The Council may request additional evidence or hearings.
3. Determination weight
The Council issues a binding opinion on ethical fitness. A negative opinion blocks certification regardless of technical conformity.
4. Conflict of interest
Council members recuse from any matter where they have a direct or indirect financial, advisory, or research relationship with the applicant within the prior 36 months.
5. Public record
Council opinions are published in the determination file with reasoning.
Methodology suite v1.0 · controlled copy for certification use.