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NATIONAL SOCIETY OF
<br />PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
<br />
<br />Code of Ethics for Engineers
<br />
<br />Preamble
<br />Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members
<br />of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest
<br />standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and
<br />vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the
<br />services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality,
<br />fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection
<br />of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must
<br />perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires
<br />adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.
<br />I Fundamental Canons
<br />Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:
<br />1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
<br />2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.
<br />3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
<br />manner.
<br />4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
<br />5. Avoid deceptive acts.
<br />6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically,
<br />and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and
<br />usefulness of the profession.
<br />Il. Rules of Practice
<br />1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and
<br />welfare of the public.
<br />a. If engineers' judgment is overruled under
<br />circumstances that endanger life or property, they shall
<br />notify their employer or client and such other authority
<br />as may be appropriate.
<br />b. Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents
<br />that are in conformity with applicable standards.
<br />c. Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information
<br />without the prior consent of the client or employer except
<br />as authorized or required by law or this Code.
<br />d. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or
<br />associate in business ventures with any person or firm
<br />that they believe is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest
<br />enterprise.
<br />e. Engineers shall not aid or abet the unlawful practice of
<br />engineering by a person or firm.
<br />f. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of
<br />this Code shall report thereon to appropriate professional
<br />bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and
<br />cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such
<br />information or assistance as may be required.
<br />2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their
<br />competence.
<br />a. Engineers shall undertake assignments only when
<br />qualified by education or experience in the specific
<br />technical fields involved.
<br />b. Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans
<br />or documents dealing with subject matter in which
<br />they lack competence, nor to any plan or document not
<br />prepared under their direction and control.
<br />c. Engineers may accept assignments and assume
<br />responsibility for coordination of an entire project and sign
<br />and seal the engineering documents for the entire project,
<br />provided that each technical segment is signed and sealed
<br />only by the qualified engineers who prepared the segment.
<br />3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective
<br />and truthful manner.
<br />a. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional
<br />reports, statements, or testimony. They shall include
<br />all relevant and pertinent information in such reports,
<br />statements, or testimony, which should bear the date
<br />indicating when it was current.
<br />b. Engineers may express publicly technical opinions
<br />that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and
<br />competence in the subject matter.
<br />c. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or
<br />arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid
<br />for by interested parties, unless they have prefaced their
<br />comments by explicitly identifying the interested parties
<br />on whose behalf they are speaking, and by revealing the
<br />existence of any interest the engineers may have in the
<br />matters.
<br />4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful
<br />agents or trustees.
<br />a. Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts
<br />of interest that could influence or appear to influence
<br />their judgment or the quality of their services.
<br />b. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or
<br />otherwise, from more than one party for services on
<br />the same project, or for services pertaining to the same
<br />project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed and
<br />agreed to by all interested parties.
<br />c. Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other
<br />valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, from outside
<br />agents in connection with the work for which they are
<br />responsible.
<br />d. Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or
<br />employees of a governmental or quasi -governmental
<br />body or department shall not participate in decisions with
<br />respect to services solicited or provided by them or their
<br />organizations in private or public engineering practice.
<br />e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept a contract from a
<br />governmental body on which a principal or officer of their
<br />organization serves as a member.
<br />5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts.
<br />a. Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or
<br />permit misrepresentation of their or their associates'
<br />qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or exaggerate
<br />their responsibility in or for the subject matter of prior
<br />assignments. Brochures or other presentations incident
<br />to the solicitation of employment shall not misrepresent
<br />pertinent facts concerning employers, employees,
<br />associates, joint venturers, or past accomplishments.
<br />b. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive, either
<br />directly or indirectly, any contribution to influence the
<br />award of a contract by public authority, or which may be
<br />reasonably construed by the public as having the effect
<br />or intent of influencing the awarding of a contract. They
<br />shall not offer any gift or other valuable consideration in
<br />order to secure work. They shall not pay a commission,
<br />percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work,
<br />except to a bona fide employee or bona fide established
<br />commercial or marketing agencies retained by them.
<br />lll. Professional Obligations
<br />1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the
<br />highest standards of honesty and integrity.
<br />a. Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not
<br />distort or alter the facts.
<br />b. Engineers shall advise their clients or employers when
<br />they believe a project will not be successful.
<br />c. Engineers shall not accept outside employment to
<br />the detriment of their regular work or interest. Before
<br />accepting any outside engineering employment, they will
<br />notify their employers.
<br />d. Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer from
<br />another employer by false or misleading pretenses.
<br />e. Engineers shall not promote their own interest at the
<br />expense of the dignity and integrity of the profession.
<br />2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.
<br />a. Engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs;
<br />career guidance for youths; and work for the advancement
<br />of the safety, health, and well-being of their community.
<br />b. Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or
<br />specifications that are not in conformity with applicable
<br />engineering standards. If the client or employer insists
<br />on such unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the
<br />proper authorities and withdraw from further service on
<br />the project.
<br />c. Engineers are encouraged to extend public knowledge
<br />and appreciation of engineering and its achievements.
<br />d. Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles
<br />of sustainable development' in order to protect the
<br />environment for future generations.
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<br />1420 KING STREET • ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22314-2794 • 888-285-NSPE (6773) • LEGAL4NSPE.ORG • WWW.NSPE.ORG • PUBLICATION DATE AS REVISED JULY 2018 • PUBLICATION #1102
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