CIPS Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply L5M5 Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) recognises Fair Trade items through either the product certification route (A), where only the product is certified, or the integrated supply chain route (C), where the entire supply chain is Fair Trade compliant. The L5M5 study guide (old p.223, new p.300) emphasises that these approaches provide flexibility for businesses while ensuring ethical standards are upheld. Manufacturer route (B) and audit route (D) are not official WFTO pathways. Procurement professionals should understand these routes when sourcing ethically certified goods.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.300

The L5M5 study guide highlights several tools procurement can use to embed ethics and sustainability into supply chains. These include benchmarking (A), which compares practices against best-in-class organisations; supply chain mapping (C), which provides visibility of all tiers of suppliers to identify risks; and on-site audits (D), which verify supplier compliance with ethical standards directly. Supplier preferencing (B) is a portfolio analysis tool used to understand suppliers’ perspectives, not specifically an ethical improvement tool. Cost analysis (E) is primarily financial and does not ensure ethical compliance. Procurement professionals must apply tools like mapping and audits to identify risks such as forced labour, environmental harm, or corruption.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, section on supplier evaluation and sustainability tools

The L5M5 study guide (p.33) outlines nine steps to creating a Sustainable Procurement Policy. The very first step is to identify who will take lead responsibility (C). This ensures accountability from the outset. Once a leader is appointed, the next steps include gathering information, drafting the policy, consulting with stakeholders, obtaining approval, and monitoring. Without clear leadership, policies risk being ineffective. Procurement professionals must ensure accountability and leadership to drive sustainability objectives effectively.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.33

Globalisation is driven by a variety of factors, including cost, technology, and regulation. A cost driver is a factor that helps organisations reduce expenses and achieve financial efficiency. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.56), one of the most significant cost drivers is the opportunity to build economies of scale, where larger production volumes reduce per-unit costs. While improvements in technology (A) and relaxed trade rules (C) are drivers of globalisation, they are not specifically cost-related. "Value for stakeholders" (B) is broader and not strictly a cost driver. Procurement professionals should recognise economies of scale as a primary cost incentive for international sourcing and trade.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.56

The correct answer is Adversarial. The relationship spectrum described in the L5M5 study guide (p.151) outlines different approaches to supplier relationships: transactional, adversarial, tactical, and partnership. An adversarial relationship exists where both parties compete rather than collaborate, often trying to maximise their own benefit at the expense of the other. This type of relationship is common in short-term, price-driven procurement arrangements but is not conducive to long-term collaboration or ethical supply chain practices. Partnership relationships (A) involve cooperation and shared goals, transactional (B) are short-term and arms-length but neutral, and closer tactical (C) involve selective collaboration. Procurement professionals are encouraged to move away from adversarial relationships to more cooperative models where possible.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.151

Social Security in the UK provides benefits such as sick pay, redundancy support, pensions, and maternity/paternity payments. The L5M5 study guide (p.93) specifies that payments can be made in cases of sickness (A), loss of employment (B), and retirement (C). Benefits are not provided simply for changing jobs (D) or marriage (E), as these do not affect financial or employment security. Procurement professionals need to understand social security systems, especially when working with international suppliers, since welfare provisions differ globally and affect labour conditions.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.93

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a voluntary EU framework that supports organisations in improving environmental performance. The L5M5 study guide (p.279) explains that EMAS helps organisations by:

Focusing on continuous environmental performance improvement (A),

Allowing proof of compliance with environmental legislation (C),

Enhancing reputation and stakeholder trust (D).

However, it does not guarantee increased profits (B), and there are costs for audits and registration (E). EMAS can give organisations a competitive advantage by demonstrating environmental responsibility. For procurement, it helps in supplier evaluation, especially within the EU.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.279

The concept of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), also referred to as the "3Ps," is a framework that assesses organisational success through People, Planet, and Profit. These dimensions highlight the balance between social equity (people), environmental stewardship (planet), and economic performance (profit). According to the CIPS L5M5 study guide (p.3), procurement and supply professionals are expected to incorporate sustainability into decision-making processes, ensuring that business practices do not only create economic value but also deliver positive social and environmental impacts. "Product" and "Placement" are not part of the TBL model, as they are marketing-related concepts, not sustainability measures. This principle ensures procurement strategies align with corporate responsibility and long-term sustainable growth.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.3

SA8000 is a globally recognised certification standard for Social Accountability. The L5M5 study guide (p.264) confirms that it measures compliance with ethical labour practices such as child labour elimination, safe working conditions, fair wages, and working hours. It does not cover quality (A), environmental management (B), or risk management (C). For procurement professionals, SA8000 provides assurance that suppliers operate ethically, helping organisations meet CSR/ESG commitments across supply chains.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.264

The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model is a widely adopted framework for analysing and improving supply chain performance. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.149), advantages of SCOR include its universality across industries (A) and its ability to improve and communicate organisational decisions (C) by providing a common language and structure for supply chain processes. A limitation of SCOR is that it focuses primarily on internal processes and does not adequately capture wider external environmental or social factors (making option B incorrect). While SCOR can help identify cost-saving opportunities, it does not guarantee low costs (D). For procurement professionals, SCOR is an important tool for benchmarking performance and driving improvements in ethical supply chain management.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.149