Operating Principles

The Bureau's operating principles can be summarized in five words:

1. Confidentiality
2. Fairness
3. Predictability
4. Timeliness
5. Transparency

Confidentiality means we will minimize the communication of confidential information in order to protect the integrity of the investigative process and commercially sensitive information provided to us by others.

Fairness means that we will continue to be fair in our decisions and try to strike the right balance between compliance and enforcement.

Predictability means that we will provide appropriate background information on Bureau decisions, and publish our position on as many issues as possible, both in print and electronically. This should make Bureau reaction more predictable and allow business to arrange its affairs in such a way as to be in compliance with the law.

By timeliness we mean that we will strive to deal with issues quickly. If we realize that our inability to come to a decision quickly may start to become costly, decisions as to whether to proceed or discontinue a matter will be made as quickly as possible.

Transparency means that we are going to be as open in our dealings as the law permits, develop appropriate service standards, develop performance standards, and be prepared to be judged according to these standards.