 exceptional circumstances or force majeure render normal execution of the project  impossible;   all technically compliant tenders exceed the financial resources available;   there have been irregularities in the procedure, in particular where these have prevented fair  competition;   the award is not in compliance with sound financial management, i.e. does not respect the  principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness (e.g. the price proposed by the tenderer  to whom the contract is to be awarded is objectively disproportionate with regard to the  price of the market.  28.  ETHICS CLAUSES AND CODE OF CONDUCT  28.1  Absence of conflict of interest 28.2  Respect for human rights as well as environmental legislation and core labour standards Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment:  28.3  Anti-corruption and anti-bribery In no event will the contracting authority be liable for any damages whatsoever including,  without limitation, damages for loss of profits, in any way connected with the cancellation of  a tender procedure, even if the contracting authority has been informed of the possibility of  damage. Publication of a contract notice does not commit the contracting authority to  implement the programme or project announced.  The tenderer must not be affected by any conflict of interest and must have no equivalent relation in  that respect with other tenderers or parties involved in the project. Any attempt by a tenderer to  obtain confidential information, enter into unlawful agreements with competitors or influence the  evaluation committee or the contracting authority during the process of examining, clarifying,  evaluating and comparing tenders will lead to the rejection of its tender and may result in  administrative penalties according to the Financial Regulation in force. The tenderer and its staff must comply with human rights and applicable data protection rules. In  particular and in accordance with the applicable basic act, tenderers and applicants who have been  awarded contracts must comply with the environmental legislation including multilateral  environmental agreements, and with the core labour standards as applicable and as defined in the  relevant International Labour Organisation conventions (such as the conventions on freedom of  association and collective bargaining; elimination of forced and compulsory labour; abolition of  child labour).  The European Commission applies a policy of 'zero tolerance' in relation to all wrongful conduct  which has an impact on the professional credibility of the tenderer. Physical abuse or punishment, or threats of physical abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, harassment  and verbal abuse, as well as other forms of intimidation shall be prohibited. The tenderer shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and codes relating to anti-bribery  and anti-corruption. The European Commission reserves the right to suspend or cancel project  financing if corrupt practices of any kind are discovered at any stage of the award process or during  the execution of a contract and if the contracting authority fails to take all appropriate measures to  remedy the situation. For the purposes of this provision, ‘corrupt practices’ are the offer of a bribe,  gift, gratuity or commission to any person as an inducement or reward for performing or refraining  from any act relating to the award of a contract or execution of a contract already concluded with the  contracting authority.  August 2020 d4b_itt_en  Page 21 of 23 