CIPS L5M5 Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply Exam Practice Test

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires UK employers to ensure that working conditions are safe and that risks to health are managed. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.6), this includes duties such as accident prevention, safe use of equipment, and training employees. While the Working Time Regulations (A) relate to working hours, the Companies Act (B) covers corporate governance, and the Disability Discrimination Act (D) focuses on preventing discrimination, only the Health and Safety at Work Act specifically ensures safe conditions. Procurement professionals must be aware of this when selecting and monitoring suppliers, particularly in high-risk industries.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.6

A Community Benefit Clause is also known as a Social Value Clause. The L5M5 study guide (p.126) explains that these clauses integrate economic, social, or environmental benefits into public sector contracts. For example, requiring the use of eco-friendly equipment or prioritising local employment. The Social Value Act 2012 formalised this requirement in UK public procurement. Procurement professionals must ensure such clauses are meaningful and enforceable to create real community benefits, not just tick-box exercises.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.126

The correct answer is Adversarial. The relationship spectrum described in the L5M5 study guide (p.151) outlines different approaches to supplier relationships: transactional, adversarial, tactical, and partnership. An adversarial relationship exists where both parties compete rather than collaborate, often trying to maximise their own benefit at the expense of the other. This type of relationship is common in short-term, price-driven procurement arrangements but is not conducive to long-term collaboration or ethical supply chain practices. Partnership relationships (A) involve cooperation and shared goals, transactional (B) are short-term and arms-length but neutral, and closer tactical (C) involve selective collaboration. Procurement professionals are encouraged to move away from adversarial relationships to more cooperative models where possible.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.151

Social Security in the UK provides benefits such as sick pay, redundancy support, pensions, and maternity/paternity payments. The L5M5 study guide (p.93) specifies that payments can be made in cases of sickness (A), loss of employment (B), and retirement (C). Benefits are not provided simply for changing jobs (D) or marriage (E), as these do not affect financial or employment security. Procurement professionals need to understand social security systems, especially when working with international suppliers, since welfare provisions differ globally and affect labour conditions.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.93

The Deming Cycle (also known as the PDCA cycle) is a continuous improvement model. The correct sequence is: Plan, Do, Check, Act. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.276), it is used within ISO14001 and other management systems to improve processes iteratively. "Plan" involves identifying improvements, "Do" implements them, "Check" monitors results, and "Act" standardises successful changes. Procurement professionals apply this cycle in supplier management and sustainability programmes to ensure continuous improvement.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.276

Total Landing Costs include all costs incurred to bring goods to the buyer’s location. According to the L5M5 study guide (old p.81, new p.107), these include delivery costs (B), currency conversion costs (C), and import duties (E). Motor insurance (A) and disposal costs (D) are post-delivery expenses and not part of landing costs. Procurement professionals must calculate total landing costs to make accurate sourcing decisions and avoid hidden expenses that can erode cost savings from international procurement.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.107

A monopsony exists when there is only one buyer in a market but multiple sellers. For example, in the defence industry, a government may be the sole buyer of military equipment such as submarines. This contrasts with a monopoly, where only one seller dominates the market. The L5M5 study guide (p.127) explains that monopsony can create power imbalances, as the buyer holds significant leverage over suppliers, potentially leading to unfair contract terms. Ethical procurement requires recognising such risks and ensuring that dominant buyers do not exploit suppliers unfairly.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.127

The L5M5 study guide (p.182) states that sustainability reporting and the adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles can stimulate organisational change and innovation. By measuring and reporting on sustainability, companies often seek new technologies, processes, and supply models to improve performance and meet ESG commitments. Reporting is not mandatory in all cases, so option B is incorrect. While sustainability may improve reputation and sometimes costs, these are not the key focus of this question. CIPS guidance stresses that sustainability reporting can drive innovation—procurement can encourage suppliers to develop new sustainable practices, products, and approaches.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.182

The L5M5 study guide (p.258) explains that blue washing refers to organisations associating with the UN Global Compact to appear legitimate while failing to implement its principles. The term comes from the blue colour of the UN flag. In contrast, greenwashing (A) is when companies exaggerate their environmental credentials. Blue washing is a reputational risk because it undermines genuine CSR initiatives and public trust. Procurement professionals must ensure that CSR commitments are backed by verifiable actions rather than symbolic gestures.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.258

The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) is an organisation promoting fair trade and ethical practices in South Africa’s wine industry. The L5M5 study guide (p.262) outlines WIETA’s principles, which align with ILO standards. These include prohibition of forced labour, ensuring working hours are not excessive, and providing regular employment rather than temporary or exploitative contracts. Options D and E are not accurate—no workplace can be entirely free of risk, and sick pay is determined by national legislation, not WIETA. Procurement professionals working with agricultural sectors should be aware of such sector-specific ethical trade associations.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.262

The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model is a widely adopted framework for analysing and improving supply chain performance. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.149), advantages of SCOR include its universality across industries (A) and its ability to improve and communicate organisational decisions (C) by providing a common language and structure for supply chain processes. A limitation of SCOR is that it focuses primarily on internal processes and does not adequately capture wider external environmental or social factors (making option B incorrect). While SCOR can help identify cost-saving opportunities, it does not guarantee low costs (D). For procurement professionals, SCOR is an important tool for benchmarking performance and driving improvements in ethical supply chain management.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.149

Effective supplier evaluation must align with ESG policies. The L5M5 study guide (p.80) highlights that procurement should establish performance management frameworks (A), ensure that KPIs reflect ESG objectives (B), and carry out regular risk assessments (D). While certifications such as ISO9001 and SA8000 (C) are valuable, requiring them universally may exclude smaller, ethical suppliers unable to afford certification costs. Option E is unethical and discriminatory, as not all low-cost country suppliers use forced labour. A balanced, risk-based approach ensures ethical compliance while supporting sustainability goals.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.80

ISO14000 is the family of standards for environmental management, making it the most appropriate for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The L5M5 study guide (p.211) states that ISO14001, in particular, sets requirements for organisations to establish environmental management systems (EMS). ISO9001 relates to quality management, ISO22000 to food safety, and ISO31000 to risk management. For procurement, ISO14000 certification provides assurance that suppliers follow recognised environmental practices, making it highly relevant to CSR and ESG goals.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.211

ISO14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.277), one disadvantage is that ISO does not set environmental performance targets itself; instead, it requires organisations to define their own targets. This means some organisations may set very easy or minimal goals, limiting actual environmental improvement. Option A is incorrect as ISO14001 applies consistently across industries. Option C is a requirement, not a disadvantage. Option D is an overgeneralisation—while some firms misuse it for "greenwashing," many genuinely use it to improve sustainability.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.277

Bribery involves offering something of value to influence decision-making improperly. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.47), inviting a buyer to play golf during a tender (A) and donating to a politician to influence voting (B) are clear examples of bribery. A Christmas gift (C) may sometimes be considered borderline depending on company policies, but it is generally not categorised as bribery unless intended to influence. Paying invoices early (D) is not bribery. Procurement professionals must comply with anti-bribery policies and legislation such as the UK Bribery Act to maintain integrity.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.47

The ILO (International Labour Organisation) is an agency of the United Nations (UN), not the WTO. The L5M5 study guide (p.249) explains that the ILO promotes labour rights globally, sets international standards, and provides mechanisms for complaints and representation. Its principles include eliminating child labour, eradicating forced labour, and promoting safe and fair working conditions, including maternity protection. By contrast, the WTO (World Trade Organisation) deals with trade rules and disputes, not labour standards. This distinction is essential in procurement, as professionals must understand which bodies regulate trade versus labour practices.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.249

The UN Global Compact is primarily aimed at businesses. The L5M5 study guide (p.258) clarifies that while NGOs and other organisations can engage, the Compact is designed to encourage corporate responsibility in human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Since 2003, cities and public sector organisations can also join under different frameworks, but businesses remain the main focus. For procurement, this means suppliers aligned with the UN Global Compact are more likely to demonstrate compliance with global ethical standards.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.258

A compliance audit evaluates whether an organisation adheres to regulatory requirements, security policies, and internal risk management procedures. The L5M5 study guide (p.207) highlights that this is distinct from external audits (conducted by outsiders), third-party audits (commissioned independently), and benchmarking audits (comparing against industry peers). Procurement professionals must use compliance audits to ensure suppliers meet legislative and regulatory standards, reducing risks of non-compliance, fines, and reputational damage.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.207

The United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The L5M5 study guide (p.4) emphasises that these goals cover social, environmental, and economic priorities, including poverty reduction, climate action, decent work, and responsible consumption. NATO, ISO, and ILO play important roles in governance, standards, and labour rights but are not responsible for the SDGs. For procurement professionals, the SDGs provide a global framework to align ethical supply practices with wider sustainability objectives.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.4

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 introduced a requirement for companies with turnover above £36 million to publish annual slavery and human trafficking statements, disclosing actions to ensure transparency in supply chains. The L5M5 study guide (old p.62, new p.90) stresses its role in combating forced labour and human trafficking. While the Companies Act (A) focuses on governance, the Working Time Directive (C) regulates working hours, and the Health and Safety Act (D) ensures workplace safety, only the Modern Slavery Act addresses supply chain transparency.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.90

SWOT analysis examines both internal factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external factors (Opportunities and Threats). According to the L5M5 study guide (p.55), SWOT is a strategic tool for assessing organisational drivers and making informed procurement decisions. In contrast, STEEPLED analyses external macro-environmental factors (social, technological, economic, environmental, political, legal, ethical, demographic). GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is an economic indicator, not an analysis tool, while ABC analysis categorises suppliers or inventory based on importance and value, not internal strategic drivers.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.55

The MNE Declaration, also called the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises, sets out guidelines for multinational organisations to operate ethically and sustainably. The L5M5 study guide (p.267) explains that the Declaration prioritises formal economies (regulated, tax-paying, legitimate business environments) and host country labour, ensuring that local workers are not exploited. Informal economies and immigrant labour are recognised but not prioritised in the same way. The declaration is tripartite because it involves three groups: governments, employers, and workers’ organisations. Procurement professionals working internationally must be aware of these principles when engaging multinational supply chains.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.267

The WTO’s main functions include setting international trade rules, facilitating agreements, resolving disputes between member countries, and supporting global trade liberalisation. It also works to promote economic growth and development, indirectly aiming for higher employment and better living standards. However, the WTO does not set or enforce labour standards—this role belongs to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which specifically governs employment rights, child labour elimination, and health and safety at work. The L5M5 study guide (p.256) emphasises the importance for procurement professionals to distinguish between global trade institutions such as the WTO and labour-focused organisations like the ILO.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.256

Stakeholders are categorised based on their relationship to the organisation. The L5M5 study guide (p.105) explains that connected external stakeholders are outside the organisation but directly linked through financial or contractual relationships. Banks (financiers), investors (shareholders), and consumers (customers) fall into this category. Internal stakeholders (A) include employees and management, while external stakeholders (B) are broader groups such as regulators and communities without direct contracts. "Connected internal stakeholders" (C) is not a valid classification. Procurement professionals must identify and manage stakeholder expectations to maintain ethical, transparent supply chains.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.105

When cost is the overriding priority, suppliers may compromise on sustainability. The L5M5 study guide explains that cheap materials may be unsustainably sourced (e.g., timber from non-certified forests). This is particularly highlighted in the old syllabus under LO 3.4, which noted risks when cost or speed is prioritised over ESG. Procurement professionals must balance cost, quality, speed, and sustainability to avoid reputational damage and unethical practices. Focusing solely on cost undermines long-term ESG commitments.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, section on sustainability vs cost priorities

The L5M5 study guide (p.48) defines corruption as the illegitimate use of one’s role or position for personal gain. This differs from bribery (A), which is offering or accepting inducements, and fraud (C), which involves deception such as falsifying records or creating phantom suppliers. Slavery (D) refers to forced labour. Procurement professionals must recognise corruption risks, particularly in international supply chains, and implement controls such as segregation of duties, audit trails, and whistleblowing policies.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.48