A practical guide to verifying vendor identity, ownership, capacity, facilities, reputation and conflicts.
This guide provides general educational information. It does not replace legal advice, regulatory guidance or a case-specific assessment.
Legal identity and ownership
Legal identity and ownership should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Operating presence
Operating presence should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Capability and track record
Capability and track record should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Integrity and conflicts
Integrity and conflicts should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Financial and legal indicators
Financial and legal indicators should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Ongoing monitoring
Ongoing monitoring should be examined in relation to the specific objective of vendor verification: what organisations should check. The enquiry should use relevant, authorised sources, distinguish verified facts from indicators, and explain where information is incomplete, conflicting or unavailable. Decisions should not rely on a single isolated record when context or corroboration is required.
A proportionate approach records source quality, date, context and practical limitations. Where the matter may affect legal, employment, regulatory, clinical or financial decisions, qualified advisers should interpret the findings within their professional role.
Define the question, preserve relevant evidence, use proportionate methods and report limitations honestly.