Engineering Ethics : Code of Ethics

[LESSON 3] CODE OF ETHICS

Introduction

Engineering is an important, learned and responsible profession. Engineers are mainly concerned
with the practical application of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) including
computer & information technology. Engineers learn these engineering knowledge during their
engineering courses and these knowledge link engineers to practice engineering activities such as:-
design, construction, supervision, maintenance, testing, manufacturing etc. During performing these
activities, engineers evaluate, judge and take decision that affect life, property, health, safety,
welfare of the public and environment as well.

Engineers are required to recognize social, cultural, environmental effects and meet all legal and
regulatory requirements. The engineers have responsibility to society; to follow Rules & Regulations,
Codes & Acts. They shall strive to update their knowledge continuously to solve problems of
engineering with innovation. They shall apply engineering knowledge, specialist knowledge,
universal standards, codes, local codes & standards in his engineering activities and uphold
paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public, meeting all the related legal and regulatory
requirements, principles of sustainable development and protection of environment. He will act
ethically in the performance of his duties & responsibilities.

As members of engineering profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of
honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people.
Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity,
and must be dedicated to the protection against the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers
must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest
principles of ethical conduct. This helps an engineer to act in professional matters for each employer
or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest. While acting in
professional capacity, the engineer shall disclose in writing to his client of the fact if he is a director
or member of or substantial shareholder in or agent for any contracting or manufacturing company
or firm or business or has any financial interest in any such company or firm or business, with which
he deals on behalf of his client. This knowledge of Code of Engineering Ethics and Duties,
Responsibilities & Obligation of Engineers, encourages all of us as engineer to uphold and advance
the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession using their knowledge & skill and
uphold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of our
professional duties. Engineers are also accountable & responsible for their actions that mean they
are liable, answerable and obligated for their deeds and course of action.

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Importance of Codes

 It provides a common set of rules or standards for all in the profession to adhere to
 It defines best practices for the profession;
 It provides a basis to meet compliance requirements for the profession;
 It provides a legal standard for the profession
 It provides a “seal of approval” that those outside the profession can look for when
using/selecting our services
 It helps as a watchdog for the profession

In fact, Code of ethics plays essential roles:

(1) Serving and Protecting the public – The engineer will serve the public health, safety and welfare
and will protect environment.

(2) Guidance – It provides guidance concerning the obligation of engineers.

(3) Inspiration – It provides inspiration and collective commitment in promoting the safety, health
and welfare of the public.

(4) Shared Standards – It shares standards with engineers and provide a fair playing field in
competing areas.

(5) Support for responsible professionals – It provides positive support to professionals seeking to
act ethically.

(6) Education and mutual understanding – Codes encourage a shared understanding among
professionals, the public, government organizations about the moral responsibilities of
engineers.

(7) Deterrence and Discipline – It also serves as formal basis for investigating unethical conducts
and deterrent for immoral behavior.

(8) Contributing to the profession’s image – It presents positive image to the public and ethically
committed profession.

Abuse of Codes

When Codes are not taken seriously within a profession the amount to a kind of window dressing
that ultimately increases public cynicism. If the Code is not properly used and applied, it creates
disappointment among the public and deters the confidence of the engineers.

Limitation of Codes

Codes are prepared to act ethically in the performance of professional duties. Codes are no
substitute for individual responsibility in grappling with dilemmas. Most Codes are prepared in
general wording. There might be some badness and are used only for professional purposes.

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Ethical Relativism

The Codes are the obligation of the members of professional bodies and members are supposed to
act ethically as a convention of the organization or community.

Justification of Codes

A sound professional code will stand up to three tests:

(1) It will be clear and coherent;

(2) It will organize basic moral values applicable to the profession in a systematic and comprehensive
way, highlighting what is most important; and

(3) It will provide helpful and reasonable guidance that is compatible with our most carefully
considered moral convictions (judgments, intuitions) about concrete situations.

In addition, it will be widely accepted within the profession.

It has been found that, the Codes of Ethics for Engineers has been justified to act ethically and
uphold the integrity, honor and dignity of engineering profession, uphold paramount the safety,
health and welfare of the public, and strive to protect and maintain clean, healthy and safe
environment and sustainability.

Engineering Codes Of Ethics usually start with a statement of general principles followed by
Engineer’s duties, Responsibilities & Ethical Obligations such as duty to society, duty to uphold
safety, health & welfare of the public, and protection & sustainability of environment, duty to
employers, duty to clients, duty to colleagues, duty to employs, duty to one-self, and duty to uphold
integrity, honor and dignity of the profession using knowledge and skills.

Engineers have a duty to ensure that they acquire and use wisely and faithfully the knowledge he
earned which is relevant to the engineering skills in their works and engineering activities.

Professional duties means the activities and duties performed by a professionally

qualified member of professional body which would fall within the normal scope of
duties and services under their employment and the code conduct set forth in the
current applicable code of conduct that governs such profession or professional body.

 Duty implies an obligation or moral commitment which an engineer is expected to perform.

 Duty is a moral, legal or professional obligation which a person is bound to do, otherwise he
has to face certain punishment or penalty for not performing duties he has been assigned.
 Duty is the binding obligation or force .

Engineering / Professional Responsibilities: Professional responsibility, as set forth in the

Professional Conduct, of employment, engagement in a job and also as in professional code
of ethics which includes a member’s obligation to act professionally as a representative

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 Engineering Ethics : Code of Ethics

of professional body, having special responsibility for the quality job and performance of
engineering/ professional activities and liabilities for health, safety and social welfare public.

 Responsibility refers to the liability which is assumed or accepted by a engineer, as a part of

his job role or position.
 The obligation-responsibilities of engineers require, not only adhering to regulatory norms
and standard practices of engineering but also satisfying the standard of reasonable care.
 Engineers can expect to be held accountable, if not legally liable, for intentionally,
negligently, and recklessly caused harms.
 Engineers are responsible, liable and accountable for what one has done in the past, for
what one does in the present and for what one will plan and do in the future.

 Responsible engineering practice requires good judgment, evaluation and decision making .
 A good test of engineering responsibility is the question, “What does an engineer do when
no one is looking?”

Engineering / Professional / Ethical Obligations: Professional Obligation

Engineers who belong to a professional body are bound either by professional codes of conduct or
by contracts that contain standards of conduct.

An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.

A code of professional ethics results when a field organizes itself into a profession. The resulting
code is central to advising those professionals how to conduct themselves, to judge their conduct
and to understand the profession and what their professional responsibilities in conducting their
professional activities.

Engineers are called upon to address problems and issues both internally and professionally that
cannot be resolved just through the application of engineering methods alone.

Professional Ethical Obligation

 Primary: To uphold honor, dignity and integrity of the profession and obligations to uphold
paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public, and environment & sustainability.

 Secondary: Obligations to Employer or Client, employees and obligation to maintain

professional quality and act ethically.

 Tertiary: Obligations to other Professionals and other Parties & Stakeholders.

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Eight Principles Impacting professional Obligations:-

1. Upholding Standard & Professional Quality

2. Protecting The Public Health, Safety and Welfare

3. Demonstrating Professional Competence

4. Maintaining Objectivity, honesty/truthfulness, impartiality and non-deception

5. Faithful agent/trustee, Loyalty and addressing Conflict of Interest

6. Preserving Confidentiality, upholding honesty, truth and trade secret, data

integrity/misrepresentation of data & information

7. Addressing Corrupt Practices, Receiving and Providing Valuable Consideration

8. Promoting new and emerging technologies, and undertaking emerging challenges for solving
engineering problems through application of Universal & Specialist knowledge, International
Standards, Codes, Laws, Acts, Rules etc. and updating & extending knowledge, skills and
competence through life-long learning in the context of technological change.

1. Upholding Standard & Professional Quality

- Responsibility to uphold integrity, honor, dignity and values of engineering profession and
commitment not to allow anything goes against the society and public interest.
- Responsibility to maintain high standard of Professional quality and fair treatment, loyalty &
accountability to employer, client and customers.
- Responsibility and Obligation to maintain high standard of personal behavior in a responsible
manner, principle of informed consent and exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner.
- Support professional and technical societies of engineering discipline.
- Shall provide opportunities and support for the professional development of the engineers
under supervision.

2. Protecting the Public Health, Safety and Welfare

- Safe product design, safe engineering design, construction, supervision and Quality Control of
product and engineering process & activities.

- Undertake safe engineering design considering emerging technology and the prevailing codes &
standards, rules & regulations.

- Uphold standard, professional quality and demonstrating professional competence, professional

integrity and applying knowledge of engineering design to produce solutions for complex
engineering activities and design systems which is a process of devising a system, component, or
process to meet desired needs and specifications within constraints (which include accessibility,
aesthetics, codes, constructability, cost, ergonomics, extensibility, functionality, interoperability,
legal considerations, maintainability, manufacturability, marketability, policy, regulations,

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schedule, standards, sustainability, or usability etc.). The design must be in conformance with
the applicable Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations (BNBC, DMINB etc.) and must be reviewed,
checked, verified, validated, approved, signed, sealed and stamped.

- Exercise sound professional judgment in carrying out engineering designs giving due
consideration to costs, quality, risks (including fire resistance/risk of fire hazard, impact of lateral
loads such as: seismic hazard, earthquake, wind load including tropical cyclone, water pressure
& earth pressure on the retaining & basement wall, and risk of disaster for structural design),
environmental impact, maintenance, safety and health issues etc.

- Apply & manage safe system of work in execution of engineering activities, taking responsibility
for Risks and making decisions for all health, safety and welfare related issues and code of
practice for safe design of building & structure and engineering project/activities etc. and
judgment regarding endanger of life.

- Commitment to keep environment clean, pollution free and sustainable and also use resources
efficiently and effectively to ensure a sustainable environment and reducing & avoiding the
tragedy of the commons such as- emissions, dust, smoke, wasting water, wasting of material etc.

around 1:00 pm BST. It caused 25 deaths and more than 70 others were injured because prompt
evacuation was not possible as the building was not constructed as per design approved by RAJUK
and did not follow BNBC and Building Rules for fire exit requirements. The main cause of the incident
was not following design code and guidelines for high-rise buildings.

3. Demonstrating Professional Competence

- Engineers always act with care and competence.
- Education, Experience, Qualifications (for a professional engineer, he must have accredited
education, required experience and training for design, construction, supervision, testing etc.)
- Acceptance of Assignment (Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by
education or experience in the specific technical fields involved)
- Signing and Sealing of Work (Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents
dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence, nor to any plan or document not
prepared under their direction and control)
- Co-ordination of Work (engineers must co-ordinate with all the multi-disciplinary activities)
- Scope of Practice (scope of practice should be defined and clear, schedule should be followed
properly as per details of the plan)
- Maintain high standard of Professional quality and fair treatment, loyalty & accountability to
employer, client and customers

4. Maintaining Objectivity, honesty/truthfulness, impartiality

a) Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering

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b) Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They
shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony.
c) Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only when it is
founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence,
and upon honest conviction.
d) Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters which are
inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements
are made.
e) Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid any act
tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor, and dignity of the
profession.

5. Maintaining Objectivity, honesty/truthfulness, impartiality

a) Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering
b) Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony. They
shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or testimony.
c) Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only when it is
founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical competence,
and upon honest conviction.
d) Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters which are
inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements
are made.
e) Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid any act
tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor, and dignity of the
profession.

6. Faithful agent/trustee, Loyalty and avoiding Conflict of Interest and deception

- Faithful Agent and Trustee
- Avoid vs. Disclosure
- Serving on Public Bodies
- Accepting Contracts from Government Bodies
- Part-Time Engineering Work
- Contingent Fee Arrangements
- Representing Adversary Interests
- Consent

- Engineers always act as a faithful agent or trustee and loyal to his employer.
- Engineers always avoid deceptive acts and conflict of interest.

a. A person finding a personal interest arising such that it may affect his impartiality in any
matter relevant to his obligations at the point in time should consider this as a conflict of

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 Engineering Ethics : Code of Ethics

interest and shall therefore declare this personal interest immediately upon being aware of
such interest to the employer with whom he is dealing at that time.

b. A conflict of interest may also be considered to exist if a Person is in any way closely related
to, either as a friend or a relation or has a financial investment in a business with employer,
employee with whom he is dealing at that time.

c. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association,
interests, or circumstances which could influence their judgment or the quality of their
services.

d. Engineers shall not accept compensation from other party for services on the same project,
or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully disclosed
to and agreed to, by all interested parties.

e. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for
which they are responsible.

7. Preserving Confidentiality, upholding honesty, truth and trade secret, data

integrity/misrepresentation of data & information

 Business or Technical Affairs of Employers/Clients

 Proprietary Information/Files
 Arranging for New Employment or Business Opportunities
 Consent
 Upholding honesty, truth, trade secret, confidentiality, data integrity / misrepresentation of
data & information etc.

a. Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests
of their clients, employers or the public.

b. A person shall not disclose directly or indirectly to any other Person, or any public or a
private individual, or to the press, other than those to whom he is authorized to
communicate it, the contents of any document or information which has been entrusted
in confidence to him by his employer, or to whom he has access to his involvement in the
project activities including procurement or the content of the document.

c. A person can disclose the contents of any official document or communicate any
information which has come into his possession to another official only if provided for, or
as may be reasonably expected, during the performance of his engineering activities.

Corrupt Practice, Corruption, Bribery includes-

 Corrupt Practices, Corruption & Bribery in the public, private and development sectors;

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Corrupt Practice, Corruption, Bribery includes-

 Corrupt Practices, Corruption & Bribery by the organization;
 Corruption & Bribery of the organization;
 Corruption & Bribery by the organization’s personnel acting on the organization’s behalf or
for its benefit;
 Corruption & Bribery by the organization’s business associates acting on the organization’s
behalf or for its benefit;
 Corruption & Bribery of the organization’s personnel in relation to the organization’s
activities;
 Corruption & Bribery of the organization’s business associates in relation to the
organization’s activities;
 Direct and Indirect Corruption & Bribery (e.g. bribe offered or accepted through or by a
third party).
 Corrupt practice also includes conflict of interest with employer, clients, friend, relations
and business associate or with a public servant with whom he is dealing at that time and
concealing such conflict of interest is unethical.
 Corrupt practice includes corruption, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices.
 Fraudulent Practice- A deceitful practice, misrepresentation, intentional and a lie.
 Collusive Practice- Harming or threatening to harm, directly or indirectly in collusion with
others.
 Coercive Practice- Impairing or harming, or threatening to impair or harm, directly or
indirectly to achieve a wrongful gain using influence or force.

8. Addressing Corrupt Practices, Receiving and Providing Gifts and other Valuable Consideration
 Accepting Consideration from Suppliers for Specifying Product
 Accepting Commissions/Allowances Directly from
 Contractors
 Political Contributions
 Corrupt Practices, Corruptions, Bribery, Extortion and Political influence, fraudulent,
collusive or coercive practices, and theft.
 Awareness of Illegal Practice

a) No person shall offer to any person related to engineering activities or procurement work,
any gift the receipt of which will place him under any form of official obligation to the donor
of the gift.
b) A person may give to any person related to engineering activities or procurement work, a
gift of small intrinsic value such as business diaries, calendars, key rings or a ballpoint with
the Person’s company symbol provided that the value of such individual item does not
exceed 500/- as per Code of Ethics for Public Procurement.
c) A person shall not offer to secure for, or promise to secure for any person related to
engineering activities/procurement.

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 Engineering Ethics : Code of Ethics

d) A person shall not approach any person related to engineering activities to secure for him an
invitation to visit a foreign country or for training abroad, unless such training has been
formally approved in any document or aid agreement.
e) A person shall not lend money to, or borrow money from any contractor, supplier or any
interested party.
f) A person shall not influence or put a person related to engineering activities under any
obligation by offering hospitality to influence the making of a procurement or supply or
contract.
g) A person shall not encourage any meetings or entertainment to be held, the main purpose
of which shall be to honor or praise any person related to the engineering
activities/procurement, contract, supply etc.

CODE OF ETHICS - THE INSTITUTION OF ENIGNEERS, BANGLADESH

(1) I solemnly promise that as a member of The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh I shall uphold
and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession using my
knowledge and skill and shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and
shall try to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of my
professional duties.
(2) I shall be honest and impartial and serve with complete fidelity the public, employer and
clients. I shall not accept remuneration for services rendered other than that from my
employer or with my employer's permission.
(3) I shall perform services only in areas of my competence.
(4) I shall build my professional reputation on the merit of my services and shall not complete
unfairly with others.
(5) I shall act in professional matters for my employer or client as faithful agent or trustee and
shall avoid conflict of interest and avoid deceptive acts.
(6) I shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner, and shall not in a self-
laudatory language or in any manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession or
professional bodies, neither advise or write articles for publication, nor shall authorize such
advertisements to be written or published by any other person.
(7) I, without disclosing the fact to my employer in writing shall not be director of or have a
substantial financial interest in, nor be an agent for any company, firm or person carrying on
any contracting consulting or manufacturing business which is or may be involved in the work
to which my employment relates, nor shall I receive directly or indirectly any royalty, gratuity
or commission or any article or process used in or for the purpose of the work in respect of
which I am employed unless or until such royalty, gratuity or commission has been authorized
in writing by the employer,
(8) I shall support the professional and technical societies of my discipline.
(9) I, in connection with work in country other than my own shall order my conduct according to
these rules, as far as they are applicable; but where the country has recognized standards of
professional conduct, I shall adhere to them.

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(10) I shall not offer, guide, solicit or receive, either directly or indirectly any political contribution
in an amount intended to influence the award of a contract by the public authority.
(11) I solemnly promise I shall avoid bribery and extortion in any form. If I encounter such acts
done by any member. I shall be ethically bound to report it to the Ethics Board of IEB.
(12) I shall continue my professional development throughout my career, and shall provide
opportunities and support for the professional development of the engineers under my
supervision
(13) A member who shall be convicted by a competent tribunal of criminal offence, which in the
opinion of the disciplinary body renders him unfit to be a member, shall be deemed to have
been guilty of improper conduct.
RULES OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS

RULES OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS are designed as to make the
Engineers Committed to Code of Conduct and completely accountable to carry on their
duties/responsibilities which cannot be compromised at any level of planning, designing,
implementing, maintaining, demolishing etc. The ethics are fundamental to the values of profession.
The service providers and consulting professional Engineers should adhere to the Code of Ethics
while dealing with employers, employees, associates and society.

The Code of Ethics aims at maintaining high standards of personal and professional conduct,
competency and integrity assuring ethical conduct in fulfilling social responsibility to the society and
global community. It is mandatory that Engineers in profession maintain individual behavior in an
ethical manner ensuring the following:-

1. Social Responsibility to uphold Ethical Values of the Society.

 Engineers shall abide by the laws of the land in which the work is performed, respect the
local customs, uphold the human rights, safeguard public property/ safety; abjure violence
and acts of terrorism.
 Engineers shall treat fairly with all persons irrespective of race, creed, caste, religion, state,
gender or national origin in discharging professional duties.
 Engineers shall strive to protect and maintain clean, healthy and safe environments to
comply with statutory requirements.
 Engineers shall uphold paramount safety, health and welfare of public and individuals while
exercising their professional work. They shall consider the welfare of society and the
impacts of the natural environment.
 Engineers shall comply with the principles and practices of sustainable development in their
professional duties. They will also promote the needs of future generations.
 Engineers shall support and recognize the professional and technical societies of their
discipline.
 Whenever Engineers’ professional judgments are overruled of the ground of safety of
public health and welfare of public, are endangered, Engineers shall inform the clients and
employers of the possible consequences providing convincing data.

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 Engineers shall foster environmental awareness among the public and they shall minimize
foreseeable and avoidable impacts on the environment.
 Engineers shall strive to ensure that the engineering projects for which they are responsible
will have minimal adverse effects on the environment and health.

2. Responsibility to Maintain High Standards of Professional Quality

 Engineers shall not misrepresent their educational qualifications or professional title.

 Engineers shall seek work through fair and proper methods, and shall take full responsibility
for the tasks and that shall be carried out under their supervision. They must be qualified by
experience in the specific field of engineering involved and shall not undertake tasks for
which they are not competent.
 Engineers shall approve only those designs, which safely and economically meet the
requirement of the client and shall not approve any engineering document, design,
materials, and stages of work which they consider to be unsound and against the public
interest.
 Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of engineering
profession using their knowledge, skill and education. They shall observe proper duties of
confidentiality and not accept or give inducements.
 Engineers shall be committed to perform services only in the areas of their expertise and
competency. But they can accept a project requiring experience outside their own fields of
competence provided the phases of the project out of their experience shall be performed
by qualified associates or employees maintaining relevant competences at the necessary
levels.
 Engineers shall be committed to maintain competency and professional reputation on the
merit of their services. They shall not compete unfairly with others.
 Engineers, in connection with work in countries other than their own, shall order/maintain
Code of Conduct according to these Rules as far as they are applicable; but where the host
country has its recognized standards of professional Code of Conduct, they shall adhere to
them.
 Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout the career and shall
provide opportunities for and support the professional and ethical development of the
engineers under their supervision.

3. Obligation to Maintain High Standard of Personal Behavior in a Responsible Manner.

 Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, injure the professional reputation of another
Engineer or Organization, rather respect their dignity and professional standing.
 Engineers shall respect the personal rights of people with whom they work and they shall
go by the legal and cultural values of the societies in which they carry out assignment.

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 Engineers shall be honest and impartial. They shall serve with complete fidelity the public,
employer and clients.
 Engineers shall not solicit or accept remuneration financial or otherwise for services
rendered on a Project other than that from their employers or of their employers’
permission, under specific circumstances.
 Engineers shall act in professional matters for their employers/clients as faithful
agent/trustee. They must avoid conflict of interest and deceptive acts. They shall promptly
inform their employees/clients of any business association or interest which could influence
the quality of their services. They must provide impartial analysis and judgment to
employers.
 Engineers can issue public statements or reports only in an objective and truthful manner
that shall not be in a self-laudatory language or in any manner derogatory to the dignity of
the profession or professional bodies. They shall include all relevant and pertinent
information in such reports or statements. They shall be prepared to contribute to public
debate on matters of technical understandings in which they are competent to comment.
 Engineers without disclosing the fact to the employer in writing shall not
i. Be director or have a financial interest in any business/negotiations, and take any
professional assignments outside their regular work.
ii. Be an agent for any company, firm or person carrying on any contracting, consulting or
manufacturing business which is or may be related to employment.
iii. Receive directly/indirectly any royalty, gratuity or commission or any article or process
used in for the purpose of work in respect of which they are employed without written
authorization of his employer.
 Engineers shall not undertake any assignments which could knowingly create a conflict of
interest between themselves and the clients or employees.

 Engineers shall admit their own errors when proven wrong and refrain from distorting the
facts to justify their mistakes.
 Engineers shall refrain himself from making any statement, criticism or argument on
Engineering matters on the inspiration of an interested party, which may cause confusion
or conflict among others.
 Engineers shall not offer, guide, solicit/receive and use direct/indirect political contribution
in any amount to influence the award of a contract by a public authority.
 Engineers solemnly promise, they shall avoid bribery and extortion in any form and
encounter such acts done by any Member which they shall ethically bound to report to the
IEB or Ethics Board of IEB.
 Engineers who shall be convicted by competent tribunal/court of a criminal offence, which
in the opinion of the disciplinary body of IEB renders them unfit to be a Member or a PEng
holder and they shall be deemed to have been guilty of improper conduct.

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THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PROCUREMENT FOLLOWED BY ENGINEERS

(As stated in Public Procurement Rules 2008, Bangladesh)

5. General principles – (1) A Person shall always act selflessly, seeking to assist in enhancing
efficiency, competition, transparency and accountability in procurement –

(a) Complying with-

(i) The Act, Rules, Regulation, guidelines, orders or other documents concerning
procurement;

(ii) Any contractual obligations established between the Procuring Entity and a Person;

(b) maintaining the highest possible standard of integrity in all their dealings with officials
both within and outside the Procuring Entity;

(c) encouraging and developing the highest possible standards of professional competence
amongst Persons, and those who work under their supervision and for whom they are
responsible;

(d) enhancing the proficiency and reputation of procurement by acquiring and maintaining
current technical knowledge, following best procurement practices and establishing the
highest standard of ethical behavior;

(e) optimizing the use of resources under their control and supervision to provide the
minimum benefit to the Procuring Entity and the nation.

(2) A Person shall not allow himself to be deflected from the principles mentioned in this
Code.

6. Gifts – (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Code, no Person shall offer to any officials, or
any member of his family, any gift the receipt of which will place him under any form of
official obligation to the donor of the gift.

(2) A Person may give to a officials a gift of small intrinsic value such as business diaries,
calendars, key rings or a ballpoint with the Person’s company symbol provided that the value
of such individual item does not exceed Tk. 500/-.

7. Hospitality – (1) A Person shall not influence or put a officials under any obligation by
offering hospitality to influence the making of a procurement decision by that officials as a
consequence of accepting hospitality from a Person or any other private individual.

(2) A Person shall not encourage any meetings or entertainment to be held, the main
purpose of which shall be to honor or praise a officials.

8. Unacceptable activities – (1) The following activities shall be considered unacceptable

activities under this Code;

(2) A Person shall not offer to or secure for, or promise to secure for an officials any foreign
award, title or decoration.

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(3) A Person shall not approach any officials to secure for that officials an invitation to visit a
foreign country or for training abroad, unless such training has been formally approved in
any procurement document or aid agreement.

(4) A Person shall not lend money to, or borrow money from, or place himself under any
pecuniary obligations to any official with whom he has any procurement dealings.

(5) A Person shall not encourage an official to construct a building whether intended to be
used for residential or commercial purpose, nor encourage an official in the buying or selling
of valuable property, moveable and immovable, nor encourage an official to speculate in
investments.

(6) A Person shall not encourage an official, or a member of his family, to engage in any
trade in the area over which such official has jurisdiction, nor to undertake any employment
of work, other than his official duties.

9. Communication of official documents or information – (1) Save as provided otherwise in

this Code, a Person shall not disclose directly or indirectly to any other Person, or any
official, or a private individual, or to the press, other than those to whom he is authorized to
communicate it, the contents of any document or information which has been entrusted in
confidence to him by an official, or to which he had access owing to his involvement in the
procurement proceedings or the content of the document.

(2) A Person shall disclose the contents of any official document or communicate any
information which has come into his possession to another official only if so provided for, or
as may be reasonably expected, during the performance of the procurement proceedings or
contract in force at that time.

10. Conflict of Interest – (1) A Person finding a personal interest arising such that it may affect
his impartiality in any matter relevant to his obligations at the point in time should consider
this as a conflict of interest and shall therefore declare this personal interest immediately
upon being aware of such interest to the officials with whom he is dealing at that time.

(2) A conflict of interest may also be considered to exist if a Person is in any way closely
related to, either as a friend or a relation or has a financial investment in a business with any
officials with whom he is dealing at that time.

11. Obligations of a Person – (1) A Person has an obligation to a Procuring Entity that in
performing his obligations under any procurement activity or contract, he will comply with
the Rules, Regulations or other documents published by the Competent Authority.

(2) No Person shall indulge in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices, the nature
of which is defined as –

a) Corrupt Practice – Corrupt practice means offering, giving or promising to give,

receiving, or soliciting either directly or indirectly, to any officer or employee of the
Procuring Entity or other public or private authority or individual, a gratuity in any form;
employment or any other thing or service of value as an inducement with respect to an
act or decision or method followed by the Procuring Entity in connection with a
Procurement proceeding or Contract execution;

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b) Fraudulent Practice – Fraudulent practice means the misrepresentation or omission of

facts in order to influence a decision to be taken in a Procurement proceeding or
Contract execution;

c) Collusive Practice – Collusive practice means harming or threatening to harm, directly

or indirectly, Persons or their property to influence a decision to be taken in the
Procurement proceeding or the execution of a Contract, and this will include creating
obstructions in the normal submission process used for Tenders.

d) Coercive Practice – Coercive practice means harming or threatening to harm, directly

or indirectly, Persons or their property to influence a decision to be taken in the
Procurement proceeding or the execution of a Contract, and this will include creating
obstructions in the normal submission process used for Tenders.

12. Contravention of this Code – Contravention of this Code shall be construed as misconduct
and may result in that Person being debarred from partaking in any future procurement
either indefinitely or for any period of time as determined by a Procuring Entity.

13. Decisions and Advice – Should a Person be unclear as to what is and what is not acceptable
he should seed advice from the Head of the Procuring Entity, or as appropriate, the
Competent Authority.

14. This Code not to be in derogation of any law etc. – Nothing in this Code shall derogate from
the provisions of any law, or of any order of any competent authority, for the time being in
force, relating to the conduct of a Person.

Duties, Responsibilities and obligations of Engineers

As an engineer you shall:-

1. Protect the public, health, safety and welfare by applying your technical skills to create,
improve and maintain beautiful national land safe and comfortable livelihood and prosperous
society, thus contributing to society through your knowledge and virtue with an emphasis
upon your dignity and honor.

2. Uphold standard, professional quality and demonstrating professional competence,

professional integrity and applying knowledge of engineering design to produce solutions for
complex engineering activities and design systems which is a process of devising a system,
component, or process to meet desired needs and specifications within constraints (which
include accessibility, aesthetics, codes, constructability, cost, ergonomics, extensibility,
functionality, interoperability, legal considerations, maintainability, manufacturability,
marketability, policy, regulations, schedule, standards, sustainability, or usability etc.). The
design must be in conformance with the applicable Standards, Codes, Rules, Regulations
(BNBC, DMINB etc.) and must be reviewed, checked, verified, validated, approved, signed,
sealed and stamped.

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3. Exercise sound professional judgment in carrying out engineering designs giving due
consideration to costs, quality, risks (including fire resistance/risk of fire hazard, impact of
lateral loads such as: seismic hazard, earthquake, wind load including tropical cyclone, water
pressure & earth pressure on the retaining & basement wall, and risk of disaster for structural
design), environmental impact, maintenance, safety and health issues etc.

4. Undertake engineering design considering emerging technology and the prevailing codes &
standards, rules & regulations and responsibility for decision making and apply advanced
knowledge of the widely-applied principles underpinning good engineering practice, specialist
knowledge and knowledge specific to the jurisdiction and local conditions such as- Bangladesh
National Building Code (BNBC), Building Construction Rules, Bangladesh (DMINB), Bangladesh
Standards (BDS), Codes and Standards, Laws, Acts and Regulations etc. in designing and
supervision of building, structure, plant, project etc. and for solving complex engineering
problems.

5. Apply engineering knowledge, specialist knowledge and universal knowledge of international,

Codes and Standards, Laws, Acts and Regulations such as – IBC (International Building Code),
BS, IS, ACI, ANSI, ASTM, NFPA, ISO, IEC, AASHTO etc. in designing and supervision of building,
structure, plant, project etc. and for solving complex engineering problems.

6. Respect nature, no harm to the environment while giving the highest priority to the safety,
welfare, and health of generations today and in the future, and shall endeavor to preserve and
work with nature and the global environment for the sustainable development of mankind.

7. Promote, innovating, ideas, methods, engage in research and develop of advanced technology,
promote mutual cooperation, deepen mutual understanding of values and enhance welfare
and safety of human beings.

8. Publish reports and express opinions based on your accumulated expertise and experience
and live up to own beliefs and conscience.

9. Disclose all relevant information concerning public safety, health, welfare and sustainable
global development, in an effort to carry out irreversible civil engineering work that is of long-
term and large-scale in nature.

10. Keep a fair and impartial attitude to the public, clients of civil engineering work, and
himself/herself if while performing work sincerely.

11. Act as an honest agent or trustee of employer or client in regard to professional work and shall
avoid conflict of interest and avoid deceptive acts.

12. Treat everyone fairly without any discrimination based on race, religion, gender or age in
discharging professional duties.

13. Perform work in compliance with applicable laws, ordinance, rules and regulations, contracts
and other standards and shall not give, ask nor receive directly or indirectly any undue
compensation or benefit.

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14. Understand the function, forms and structural characteristics of civil engineering facilities and
structures. In their planning, design, construction, maintenance and disposal, apply not only
advanced & innovative technology but also traditional technology as well while preserving the
ecosystem and historical heritage.

15. Strive to enhance your own expertise, study diligently concepts and engineering methods and
contribute to technological development through informing academic societies of the results
of these efforts.

16. Endeavor to cultivate human resources by effectively utilizing your own personality,
knowledge, and experience while proving support for others to enhance their professional
proficiency and ethical development of the engineers under your supervision.

17. Actively explain the significance and role of your own work and respond sincerely to any
criticism of such explanation. Further, evaluate objectively the work completed by you and by
others, and express positivity of individual concerns.

18. Uphold the code of ethics stipulated by the society while continuously seeking to enhance the
social status of civil engineers. In particular, members of the society shall take the initiative of
professional dignity by observing this code of ethics.

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