Free CIPS L4M4 Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

In the initial evaluation of non-domestic vendor supply proposals, understanding and applying the correct Incoterm classifications is crucial. Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international transactions, including the point at which risk transfers from seller to buyer. Evaluating these terms early ensures clarity in logistics, costs, and risk management.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"When sourcing from international suppliers, it is important to be aware of the key legislative and regulatory requirements in both the home country as well as the country of origin. Depending on product and service type, for example, you may need to consider product safety measures, industry regulations, and environmental regulations. In terms of organizational requirements, it is important to pay attention to details such as applicable payment terms and local labor practices."

Advertising tenders is crucial for achieving value for money by encouraging competitive bids, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. It also provides insights into the market by revealing the capabilities and innovations of various suppliers, aiding in informed decision-making.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Inviting suppliers to take part in a competitive tender may reduce the potential for the biased selection of a supplier. Time, money and resource could be saved..."

Explanation

The correct answer is 'no- quoting in the supplier's currency increases the risk for the buyer'. This questions comes up in a variety of formats in the exam. Remember; if the price is in your own currency (most examples in the exam are given in £) there is less risk than if the prices are quoted in a foreign currency. This is because exchange rates fluctuate; if the price is in £ you always know what you're paying, if it's in another currency the price can change daily depending on if the exchange rate compared to £ has gone up or down.

Analysing expenditure data by product category or supplier enables procurement managers to:

Negotiate Better Prices:Identifying high-spend areas or suppliers can provide leverage in negotiations, leading to cost reductions.

Monitor Cost Trends:Tracking expenditure over time helps in understanding cost fluctuations, budgeting, and forecasting future spend.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Spend analysis is a process that analyses the historical spend data of your organisation to provide answers to questions concerning spend visibility, compliance, and cost-saving opportunities."

A current ratio below 1 suggests that the supplier may not have sufficient current assets to cover short-term liabilities, which could pose a risk to the buyer. Assessing financial stability aligns with responsible sourcing practices, as it ensures suppliers can fulfill contracts without disruption.

Internal production is often justified when a company has the necessary competencies and capacity. This approach aligns with responsible sourcing by leveraging internal capabilities for better control over quality, cost, and compliance with ethical and environmental standards.

Explanation

The three pillars of sustainability are profit, people and planet. This may also be referred to as social, economic and environmental.

Under EXW (Ex Works) the seller prices only for making goods available at their premises; the buyer bears transport, export formalities, main carriage, and risk from collection. Because the seller’s obligations are minimal, the quoted unit price is typically the lowest. Delivered terms (DAP/DDP/CPT) add seller costs and risk, raising the price.

Implementing full anti-bribery training, policies, and procedures demonstrates a proactive stance against bribery and corruption. Ethical sourcing principles encourage organisations to institutionalise comprehensive anti-bribery measures to ensure transparency, fairness, and compliance within the supply chain, reducing the risk of corrupt practices.

Accepting an invitation under such circumstances would violate ethical standards, as it could create a conflict of interest. Ethical sourcing and procurement practices require impartiality, and any perceived favoritism or bias can harm the organisation's integrity.