New rankings target government contractors.

Corporate governance and related ethics rankings of public companies have been popping up on websites in recent years, and now a think tank has created an ethical ranking of a specific subset of that group, government contractors.

The Ethisphere Institute, which researches and promotes best practices in business ethics and compliance, published its first annual Government Contractor Ethics Program Rankings in the first-quarter 2008 issue of Ethisphere magazine. The ranking takes into account new Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules regarding U.S. government contractors' ethics programs, key Federal Supply Group (FSG) "hallmarks" for effective compliance programs and industry best practices.

"With continued controversy of government contractors, this ranking will bring positive influence in recognizing and promoting best practices in federal contractor ethics and compliance programs," said Greg Esposito, director of government contractor ethics research for the Ethisphere Institute.

"This is an important effort by the Ethisphere Institute in recognizing the significant achievements and commitment made by government contractors in instituting ethics and compliance programs. Most government contractors truly want to act ethically and obey the law," said George W. Ash, partner at Foley & Lardner LLP and Government Contracting Ethics and Compliance Methodology Committee member. "Ethisphere rankings will identify the contractors that have demonstrated their ethical commitment to their stakeholders and the public."