Membership Terms & Conditions

1. General

These terms and conditions form the basis of the contract through which the International Marine Purchasing Association (“IMPA”, “we” or “us”) will deliver a service to you as a member of the IMPA ACT initiative (“you”). On becoming a member of the IMPA ACT initiative, you are automatically agreeing to these terms and conditions, and you are providing us with the appropriate consent to handle your personal information in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679.

2. Membership Applications

To become a member of the IMPA ACT initiative, please write to IMPA ACT team at act@impa.net and state your intention to become a member of the initiative. Upon receipt of this notice, we will ask you to return by email several personal and company information and details in order to process your application. All future communications and membership documents will be addressed to you in accordance with the way that you enter your name in your email.

When joining as an IMPA ACT member, a contract is made between you and IMPA when: (1) your membership registration has been acknowledged in writing by IMPA ACT, (2) payment has been received in full, and (3) a welcome email has been sent to you.

When joining as a member by any other method, a contract is made between you and IMPA upon: (1) the successful processing of your application and (2) the receipt of payment in full.

By submitting an online membership application, the applicant agrees to these Terms & Conditions. Membership applications will be considered by IMPA who retains the right to refuse applications.

All information provided by you to us must be true and accurate at the point of applying. In the event of any change of circumstances, such as change of contact details or moving jobs, you must notify IMPA in writing, preferably by email, so that our records remain up-to-date.

We aim to process membership applications within two weeks; however, please allow up to 28 days for your application to be processed.

3. Membership Benefits

As a member of the IMPA ACT initiative, you will receive a wide range of benefits. Membership packages vary according to the grade of membership held. A typical package may include, but is not limited to:

  • An individual account within the IMPA ACT Members’ Area, with access to the IMPA ACT (1) Toolbox, comprising of tools that follow the IMPA ACT process for implementing Responsible Business Conduct standards, and (2) Knowledge Centre, an online centre with updated information, studies, industry reports, and other materials.
  • A company account in the new csrCloud platform that enables the member to conduct guided and collaborative human rights, environmental and economic due diligence for one company division (usually headquarters).
  • Permission to use the IMPA ACT members' logo and unique IMPA ACT membership number for publicity purposes and to assist in demonstrating commitment to corporate social responsibility.

We reserve the right to change the benefits that apply to the IMPA ACT initiative’s membership at any time and without prior notice.

4. Member Participation

To gain the full benefits from the IMPA ACT initiative, it is expected that members will actively engage in the initiative. Therefore, we encourage members to participate in the online community facilitated by IMPA ACT, to share best practices with the IMPA ACT network and to inform IMPA of the progress being made.

In order to fully benefit from their membership of the IMPA ACT initiative, there is an expectation that all members will endeavour to work towards meeting the minimum standard for Responsible Business Conduct in the same way they expect their business relationships to do so. This standard involves establishing a management system in full alignment with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (OECD), i.e. comprising of a policy commitment, a due diligence process and a mechanism for access to remedy.

In order to foster a collaborative approach to responsible supply chain management, once a member has reached step three of the programme and selects the business relationships they intend to partner with, the IMPA ACT Team should be informed of the potential partnerships in order to avoid an overlap of engagement with other members. During steps three and four, there is an expectation that members engage with the maximum number of business relationships for whom they have resources and capacity.

There is an expectation that the IMPA ACT initiative will act as a rotational programme and, on an annual basis or on successful completion of the programme by partnered companies, the members will continue to select further business relationships and start new periods of collaboration.

5. Membership Payments, Renewals and Cancellations

Membership is fixed for a period of one calendar year starting from the membership approval date. Membership will be activated on receipt of payment. Payment must be received within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

Payment can be made by cheque, BACS or SWIFT. If membership payment remains outstanding, we will notify you by email.

It is the member’s responsibility to advise the IMPA ACT team of their intention not to renew their membership. Subscription payments not received within one month of becoming due will result in the membership being considered lapsed and all services may be suspended pending payment. However, membership charges will continue to accrue until resignation is received in writing, subject to the cancellation procedure outlined below.

To cancel your membership, you will need to notify us in writing at least one month before your subscription renewal is due. Where possible, we request that you state the reason for cancelling your membership, which will be recorded for internal use only. Refunds will not be given for cancelled memberships.

6. Lapsed Memberships

If your membership has lapsed for a period of two years or more, you will be required to complete a new membership application form. 

If your membership has lapsed for a period of less than two years, please contact the IMPA ACT team at act@impa.net or by telephone on +44 (0) 1206 798900.

7. Code of Professional Conduct

IMPA requires all members of the IMPA ACT initiative to adhere to professional standards, including complying with IMPA’s by-laws, available at www.impa.net.

Members shall establish, maintain and develop business relationships based on confidence, trust and respect, and shall not encourage, assist or collude with others who may be engaged in unlawful conduct.

8. Terminating Membership

IMPA reserves the right to revoke or decline to renew membership at its entire discretion. For example, this may be exercised if, in our opinion, your conduct has damaged our reputation or if you have abused or misused your membership privileges, or if you are unwilling to work towards improving your corporate social responsibility performance internally.

9. Price Information

Membership fees are displayed on www.impa-act.org.

We reserve the right to increase the price of the membership subscription. You will be informed of any fee increase within your renewal email.

10. Information Services

Diligence and care should be taken when using the information provided. All services are subject to copyright law. We use our best endeavours to ensure all information provided by us is as up-to-date as possible; however, you should not rely on the information provided as the sole basis for making business, legal or other decisions. You should seek appropriate independent advice before making any such decisions.

The content of all publications released through the IMPA ACT initiative are the author’s opinion.

11. Data Protection Statement

IMPA is fully committed to compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 (UK) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679.

The personal data you supply will be used to process your membership subscription and to administer your membership. If you provide us with your email address, we may send information related to IMPA that we deem of interest to you.

We do not pass data to any third party without your consent. Should we ever request any personal information from you, we will do our best to advise you how the information will be used, who will see it, why they need it and why they will do with it. 

If you believe that any of the information we hold concerning you is incorrect or out of date, please provide us with the accurate information at act@impa.net by telephone on +44 (0) 1206 798900.

When using www.impa-act.org and Web Forums, it is your responsibility as a member of the IMPA ACT initiative to keep your members’ area log password and membership details confidential.

IMPA expects all members to post ideas and comments on IMPA ACT Web Forums in a professional and appropriate manner. The full Terms of Use can be found at www.impa-act.org.

12. Liability

Our liability to you will not extend to any membership-related benefits, goods or services provided by an external provider. We specifically exclude liability for any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of your involvement in whatever manner with an external provider. Our liability to you arising from this membership contract shall not in any event exceed the cost of your annual membership.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of IMPA ACT published information; however, neither we, nor the authors can accept liability for errors or omissions within the materials. Our liability to you in event of a material or welcome pack being lost in dispatch shall, at our discretion, be limited to a replacement.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law, and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England.

14. IMPA ACT Brand

As a member of the IMPA ACT initiative, you are permitted to use the IMPA ACT member's logo on your stationery, website and marketing materials.

Should your membership become lapsed, cancelled or revoked, you will be required to remove all reference to IMPA ACT from your company materials, including the IMPA ACT logo.

15. IMPA Bank Details

  • GBP

Account Name: IMPA
Account No: 23218368
Sort Code: 20-74-12
IBAN: GB13 BUKB 2074 1223 2183 68
SWIFT/BIC: BUKBGB22
Address: Barclays Bank PLC, 16-18 St Peters Street, St Albans, All 3LP, UK

  • EURO

Account Name: IMPA 
Account No: 43449577
Sort Code: 20-74-12
IBAN: GB66 BUKB 2074 1243 4495 77
SWIFT/BIC: BUKBGB22
Address: Barclays Bank PLC, 16-18 St Peters Street, St Albans, All 3LP, UK

16. Contact Details

Telephone: +44 (0) 1206 798900
Email: act@impa.net
Postal Address: IMPA Secretariat Office, East Bridge House, East Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TX, UK

Thinking of jumping onboard?

IMPA ACT can help your company meet the UN minimum standard for Responsible Business Conduct and manage operational-level impacts in a way that is aligned with international guidance.