A standard is a document that sets out requirements for a specific item, material, component, system or service, or describes in detail a particular method or procedure. Standards are established by consensus and approved by recognized standardization bodies.
There are several different types of standards. Some of the most commonly-used standards set out the requirements that a particular kind of product, service or process must fulfil, in order to establish that it is 'fit for purpose'. Other types of standard relate to methods of testing, terminology and definitions, information requirements, or the compatibility of connections.
Standards provide individuals, businesses and all kinds of organizations with a common basis for mutual understanding. They are especially useful for communication, measurement, commerce and manufacturing.
Standards make trade easier by ensuring compatibility and interoperability of components, products and services. They bring benefits to businesses and consumers in terms of reducing costs, enhancing performance and improving safety.
Standards are voluntary, which means that businesses and other organizations are not legally obliged to apply them. However, in certain cases standards may facilitate compliance with legal requirements, such as those contained in European directives and regulations.
Standards can be made by a company, a standard organisation (such as ISO or BSI) or regulatory bodies.
Reference:
- CIPS study guide page 93-94
- Standards and your business
LO 2, AC 2.1

Liquidated damages are an amount of money, agreed upon by the parties at the time of the contract signing, that establishes the damages that can be recovered in the event a party breaches the contract. The amount is supposed to reflect the best estimate of actual damages when the parties sign the contract. These usually apply to a specific type of breach, and in construction, it is frequently the failure to complete work on time.
Liquidated damages clauses are usually written as some sort of formula, for example:
Total Contract Price - [(X amount of $ per day) x (number of days late)] Including a liquidated damages clause can provide many benefits, the most important of which is predictability. When setting a predetermined amount of damages, it allows both parties a chance to negotiate and settle on a number they both feel is fair and reasonable.
From the owner's perspective, this acts like a cheap form of insurance against your contractors. In the event of a breach, the owner can immediately calculate the damages without going through the trouble of proving actual damages. Proving actual damages can be a complicated, lengthy, and costly process.
From a contractor perspective, this allows them to analyze the level of risk involved, and schedule appropriately. It also allows them the opportunity to limit the damage claims of the owner.
Reference:
- Construction Contract Clauses: What Is a Liquidated Damages Clause?
- CIPS study guide page 158-159
LO 3, AC 3.2

Normally in a price adjustment agreement, the supplier is allowed to change price based on an indexation, which is published by a third party (for example, government or exchange market). The selected indices often associate with input materials of supplier. For instance, the plastics manufacturer may adjust their price based on crude oil price as oil is major input of producing plastics. Other suppliers may select different set of indices, such as Producer Perception Index.
In this question, only 'Rise in fuel price' could be a justification for supplier to increase price because:
- It may affect the input material price
- The index is checked and published by an independent third party.
Reference:
LO 3, AC 3.3

Express terms are the terms of the agreement which are expressly agreed between the parties. Ideally, they will be written down in a contract between the parties but where the contract is agreed verbally, they will be the terms discussed and agreed between the parties.
Implied terms are terms implied into the contract by the courts. They are not expressly set out in the contract but are taken to be as effective as if they were and as if they had been included from day one of the contract. The express terms and any implied terms together create the legally binding obligations on the parties.
Express terms are explicit and will normally override implied terms unless the implied term is created by statute and the law states that it cannot be overridden.
Reference:
- Contracts: Express and Implied Terms
- CIPS study guide page 126-132
LO 3, AC 3.1

In the scenario, the contract between the company and its suppliers is continuous rather than one-off. So it cannot be one-off contract or spot purchase. The quantity and time is well known and fixed, this type of contract is known as call-off contract or blanket order.
Reference:
LO 1, AC 1.3