FOR RELEASE: April 8, 2010

Media Contacts:
	Jean McHale ISM Public Relations (U.S. only) 800.888.6276 x3143 (International) (+1) 480.752.6276 x3143 jmchale@ism.ws
	Liz Lees Director of Strategic Marketing and Representation The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply +44 1780 761575/07917 648564 Liz.lees@cips.org

Partnership to promote professional credentials in North America and the U.K.

TEMPE, Ariz. (April 8, 2010) — The world's two largest and leading purchasing and supply management organizations are joining forces to offer professional credentials in North America and the United Kingdom. A new agreement between Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) and The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) sets forth reciprocity between the two organizations allowing professionals to apply for the respective professional credentials.

Both ISM and CIPS are individual membership organizations which between them have more than 150,000 members and individuals holding their professional credentials. The new agreement will allow CIPS members in the U.K. holding the MCIPS designation to apply for and receive the CPSM^® credential from ISM. Similar reciprocal conditions are also in place that provide pathways for professionals in North America holding the CPSM^® credential to apply for and receive the MCIPS designation from CIPS.

"Reciprocity around professional credentials creates immediate benefits to both our organizations' members," says ISM CEO Paul Novak, CPSM, C.P.M. "Professionals working toward a professional designation have increased opportunities and greater access to two world-renowned credentials."

David Noble, CEO, CIPS said: "This is a major step forward for the procurement profession as we continue to see an increasing demand from global organizations for procurement professionals highly qualified to a common standard across their operations. This agreement will allow members of both CIPS and ISM to have transportable professional recognition in the U.K. and North America, and will serve to further enhance the profession's standing and credibility as a truly international discipline."

This initiative will provide a platform for future development of a universally recognized international standard in purchasing and supply management, supporting the continued promotion of global recognition for the profession.

Both CPSM^® and MCIPS enjoy high regard among professionals in the public and private sectors across the globe. Both institutes are leading members of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM), a union of 43 national and regional purchasing associations worldwide.

Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) www.ism.ws
As the first supply management institute in the world, the mission of Institute for Supply Management™ (ISM) is to lead supply management. By executing and extending its mission through education, research, standards of excellence, influence building and information dissemination — including the renowned monthly ISM Report On Business^® — ISM continues to extend the global impact of supply management. ISM is a not-for-profit membership association serving more than 40,000 supply management professionals in 75 countries. ISM offers credentialing to professionals around the world with the Certified Professional in Supply Management^® (CPSM^®). ISM is a member of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).

The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) www.cips.org
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is the world's largest membership body representing purchasing and supply management professionals. It is the worldwide center of excellence on purchasing and supply management issues. CIPS has over 60,000 members in 150 different countries, including senior business people, high-ranking civil servants and leading academics. The activities of purchasing and supply chain professionals can have a major impact on the profitability and efficiency of all types of organization.

Notes to editors
CIPS offers the Member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) and ISM offers the Certified Professional in Supply Management^® (CPSM^®).