Common use of Retention of Records and Confidentiality Clause in Contracts

Retention of Records and Confidentiality. ARPL (Certification Division) shall be entitled to retain the originals or copies of all applicable documents, policies, procedures, manuals, and other information provided during the course of the audits. Except to the extent that the information obtained by ARPL (Certification Division) is already in ARPL (Certification Division)’s possession or is, or becomes in the future, public knowledge, and except as otherwise required by law or legal process, ARPL (Certification Division) covenants and agrees to maintain all such information in strict confidence and not to use any such information in any manner detrimental to the Client. In addition, ARPL (Certification Division) shall maintain in strict confidence, during the term of and after the termination of this agreement, the information obtained during the course of the audits and documented in the audit reports. However, the foregoing shall not be deemed or construed in any manner whatsoever as prohibiting ARPL (Certification Division) from publicly disclosing details of the granting, suspension or withdrawal of certification, or providing complete or partial copies of audit reports as specified by ARPL (Certification Division)’s Accreditors and Sector Authority Organizations, or providing access to client information, including copies of audit documents to ARPL (Certification Division)’s Accreditors and Sector Authority Organizations personnel for audit purpose. Except as required in the applicable accreditation documents, ARPL (Certification Division) shall obtain written consent from the client or individual for disclosing information to a third party. Where required by law to release confidential information to a third party, ARPL (Certification Division) will, unless regulated by law, notify the Client or individual concerned in advance of the information provided.