What type of control is exemplified by the requirement to purchase from approved suppliers?

The requirement to purchase from approved suppliers is a clear example of a preventive control. Preventive controls are designed to deter unintended events before they occur, reducing the likelihood of errors or noncompliance. By mandating purchases from approved suppliers, an organization establishes a proactive measure to ensure quality, compliance, and reliability in its procurement processes. This control helps to prevent issues like fraud, substandard products, or violations of regulatory standards by setting up boundaries within which purchasing decisions must be made.

In contrast, detective controls are focused on identifying issues after they have occurred, compensating controls are alternate measures taken when primary controls are not feasible, and monitoring controls involve ongoing oversight to ensure compliance and effectiveness of existing controls. The key aspect of preventive control in this context is its emphasis on stopping problems before they arise by restricting access to only vetted suppliers.