(3)With this in mind, the Governing Council in 2015 adopted Guideline (EU) 2015/856 (ECB/2015/12), which laid down the principles of a common ethics framework for the SSM (hereinafter the ‘SSM Ethics Framework’) that safeguards the SSM’s credibility and reputation as well as public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the members of the bodies and the members of staff of the ECB and of the NCAs of the Member States participating in the SSM.