Ethics & Compliance Initiative Introduced

DALLAS, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ethics & Compliance Initiative has been introduced as the most powerful and complete resource for the Ethics & Compliance practice. The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) brings together the capabilities, experience and legacies of two of the most revered organizations in Ethics and Compliance and introduces a third as part of the Initiative: Ethics & Compliance Officer Association (ECOA) now Ethics & Compliance Association (ECA); Ethics Resource Center, now Ethics Research Center (ERC); and, a new, certification focused entity, Ethics & Compliance Certification Institute (ECCI).

"It's time to move organizational ethics and compliance forward and invite practitioners, thought-leaders and partners at every level, from every sector, from everywhere in the world, to lead the movement," said Patricia J. Harned, Ph.D., Chief Executive of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative.  "We're driving a movement forward that is about new ideas grounded in research; a movement that connects practitioners and their peers in meaningful ways to share and to become certified; a movement that provides a single place for the most respected and most trusted resources for responsible organizations worldwide."

Since the organizations announced they would be joining forces last fall, the leaders of ECI have listened to members and Fellows to understand what organizations need to navigate current ethics and compliance (E&C) issues, and equally important, to anticipate what is on the horizon. Leaders wanted the benefits of an organization that leveraged the research of the ERC and the community of the ECA to improve best practice.

"Naming the new organization an 'Initiative' is with purpose," said former Congressman Michael Oxley, Chair of the ECI Board of Directors. "The name invites E&C practitioners to join a movement that will change the landscape of E&C issues faced today and help identify those that will shape tomorrow."

"The Ethics & Compliance Initiative is the single resource that integrates research, best practice, certification and access to global E&C thought-leaders," said Lee Augsburger, the Board Chair for the Ethics & Compliance Association. The Ethics & Compliance Association (ECA) makes access to research, relationships and resources easy. 

The ERC is America's oldest nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and advancement of high ethical standards and practices in public and private institutions. Recognized as the industry's leading research group, ERC's research analyzes current and emerging issues to produce new ideas and benchmarks. 

The ECA promotes learning and sharing by connecting practitioners, thought-leaders, academicians, partners and non-practitioners alike as the industry's only association.

The Ethics & Compliance Certification Institute (ECCI) represents a new rigor in education and certification for ethics and compliance practitioners. Certification through the ECCI helps organizations reach a new level of program excellence.

Supporting the activities of the entire enterprise is the Ethics & Compliance Initiative resource center – the most complete, single resource for the industry that includes ERC-produced research including NBES ® Surveys; industry white papers; online forums; and other resources that complement the ethics and compliance practice. The resource center will be launched in the coming months.

An integral element in the new organization is a new member structure offering an entire range of benefits that are only available through the Initiative. Depending on the level of membership as an individual or organization, members get access to research; best practice sharing; metrics and benchmarking; and, have the opportunity to participate in identifying and addressing emerging E&C issues.

The Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) is leading the movement for responsible organizations worldwide. The Initiative is the only organization that presents new ideas and benchmarks grounded in research and then connects those ideas with practitioners and their peers in meaningful ways, including education and certification. The Ethics Research Center (ERC), the Ethics & Compliance Association (ECA) and, the Ethics & Compliance Certification Institute (ECCI) are all part of the Ethics & Compliance Initiative.

SOURCE The Ethics & Compliance Initiative