The Fair Payment Code

Fair Payment Code Criteria Overview

The Fair Payment Code sets out clear standards for payment practices, recognising businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to paying suppliers fairly and promptly.

Organisations applying to the Code are assessed against a range of criteria, with awards made at three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

Key Criteria

To achieve accreditation, businesses must demonstrate:

• Prompt payment performance
  Meeting defined payment timeframes, with higher award levels requiring faster average payment periods.
• Clear payment practices
  Transparent and accessible payment terms, ensuring suppliers understand when and how they will be paid.
• Fair supplier treatment
  A commitment to ethical practices, including not imposing unfair contract terms or payment delays.
• Dispute resolution processes
  Effective systems in place to manage and resolve payment disputes quickly and fairly.
• Senior leadership commitment
  Evidence that payment practices are embedded at a strategic level within the organisation.

Award Levels

• Bronze – Demonstrates good practice and commitment to paying within agreed terms
• Silver – Shows strong payment performance and improved speed of payment
• Gold – Reflects best-in-class payment practices and leadership in fair payment

For full details on the criteria and how to apply, visit the official Fair Payment Code page.