ENGINEERING ETHICS

Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of

this 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 of 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.
 Fundamental Canons
Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1.
Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2.
Perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
5. Avoid deceptive acts.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness
of the profession.
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the
public. a. If engineers’ judgment is overruled under circumstances that
endanger life or property, they shall notify their employer or client and such
other authority as may be appropriate. b. Engineers shall approve only those
engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable standards. c.
Engineers shall not reveal facts, data, or information without the prior
consent of the client or employer except as authorized or required by law or
this Code. d. Engineers shall not permit the use of their name or associate in
business ventures with any person or firm that they believe is engaged in
fraudulent or dishonest enterprise. e. Engineers shall not aid or abet the
unlawful practice of engineering by a person or firm. f. Engineers having
knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall report thereon to
appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public
authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such
information or assistance as may be required.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. a.
Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or
experience in the specific technical fields involved. b. 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. c. Engineers may accept assignments and
assume responsibility for coordination of an entire project and sign and seal
the engineering documents for the entire project, provided that each
technical segment is signed and sealed only by the qualified engineers who
prepared the segment.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner. a. 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, which should bear the
date indicating when it was current. b. Engineers may express publicly
technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and
competence in the subject matter. c. Engineers shall issue no statements,
criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid for by
interested parties, unless they have prefaced their comments by explicitly
identifying the interested parties on whose behalf they are speaking, and by
revealing the existence of any interest the engineers may have in the
matters.
4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees. a. Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest
that could influence or appear to influence their judgment or the quality of
their services. b. Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party for services on the same project, or for
services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed and agreed to by all interested parties. c. Engineers shall not solicit
or accept financial or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, from
outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible. d.
Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a
governmental or quasi-governmental body or department shall not
participate in decisions with respect to services solicited or provided by them
or their organizations in private or public engineering practice. e. Engineers
shall not solicit or accept a contract from a governmental body on which a
principal or officer of their organization serves as a member
5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts. a. Engineers shall not falsify their
qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their or their associates’
qualifications. They shall not misrepresent or exaggerate their responsibility in
or for the subject matter of prior assignments. Brochures or other presentations
incident to the solicitation of employment shall not misrepresent pertinent
facts concerning employers, employees, associates, joint venturers, or past
accomplishments. b. Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive, either
directly or indirectly, any contribution to influence the award of a contract by
public authority, or which may be reasonably construed by the public as having
the effect or intent of influencing the awarding of a contract. They shall not
offer any gift or other valuable consideration in order to secure work. They shall
not pay a commission, percentage, or brokerage fee in order to secure work,
except to a bona fide employee or bona fide established commercial or
marketing agencies retained by them.
 Professional Obligations

1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of

honesty and integrity. a. Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not
distort or alter the facts. b. Engineers shall advise their clients or employers
when they believe a project will not be successful. c. Engineers shall not accept
outside employment to the detriment of their regular work or interest. Before
accepting any outside engineering employment, they will notify their
employers. d. Engineers shall not attempt to attract an engineer from another
employer by false or misleading pretenses. e. Engineers shall not promote their
own interest at the expense of the dignity and integrity of the profession. f.
Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without
discrimination.
2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest. a. Engineers are
encouraged to participate in civic affairs; career guidance for youths; and work
for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of their community.
b. Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or specifications that
are not in conformity with applicable engineering standards. If the client or
employer insists on such unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the proper
authorities and withdraw from further service on the project. c. Engineers are
encouraged to extend public knowledge and appreciation of engineering and its
achievements. d. Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of
sustainable development1 in order to protect the environment for future
generations. e. Engineers shall continue their professional development
throughout their careers and should keep current in their specialty fields by
engaging in professional practice, participating in continuing education courses,
reading in the technical literature, and attending professional meetings and
seminar.
3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public. a.
Engineers shall avoid the use of statements containing a material
misrepresentation of fact or omitting a material fact. b. Consistent with the
foregoing, engineers may advertise for recruitment of personnel. c. Consistent
with the foregoing, engineers may prepare articles for the lay or technical press,
but such articles shall not imply credit to the author for work performed by
others.
4. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting
interests. a. Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations, including
free engineering designs, from material or equipment suppliers for specifying
their product. b. Engineers shall not accept commissions or allowances, directly
or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with clients or employers
of the engineer in connection with work for which the engineer is responsible.
5. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information
concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former
client or employer, or public body on which they serve. a. Engineers shall not,
without the consent of all interested parties, promote or arrange for new
employment or practice in connection with a specific project for which the
engineer has gained particular and specialized knowledge. b. Engineers shall not,
without the consent of all interested parties, participate in or represent an
adversary interest in connection with a specific project or proceeding in which the
engineer has gained particular specialized knowledge on behalf of a former client
or employer.
6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or
professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other
improper or questionable methods. a. Engineers shall not request, propose, or
accept a commission on a contingent basis under circumstances in which their
judgment may be compromised. b. Engineers in salaried positions shall accept
part-time engineering work only to the extent consistent with policies of the
employer and in accordance with ethical considerations. c. Engineers shall not,
without consent, use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of an
employer to carry on outside private practice.
7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or
indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of
other engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal
practice shall present such information to the proper authority for action. a.
Engineers in private practice shall not review the work of another engineer for
the same client, except with the knowledge of such engineer, or unless the
connection of such engineer with the work has been terminated. b. Engineers in
governmental, industrial, or educational employ are entitled to review and
evaluate the work of other engineers when so required by their employment
duties. c. Engineers in sales or industrial employ are entitled to make engineering
comparisons of represented products with products of other suppliers.
8. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities,
provided, however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services arising
out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the engineer’s
interests cannot otherwise be protected. a. Engineers shall conform with state
registration laws in the practice of engineering. b. Engineers shall not use
association with a nonengineer, a corporation, or partnership as a “cloak” for
unethical acts.
9. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due,
and will recognize the proprietary interests of others. a. Engineers shall,
whenever possible, name the person or persons who may be individually
responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other accomplishments. b.
Engineers using designs supplied by a client recognize that the designs remain the
property of the client and may not be duplicated by the engineer for others
without express permission. c. Engineers, before undertaking work for others in
connection with which the engineer may make improvements, plans, designs,
inventions, or other records that may justify copyrights or patents, should enter
into a positive agreement regarding ownership. d. Engineers’ designs, data,
records, and notes referring exclusively to an employer’s work are the employer’s
property. The employer should indemnify the engineer for use of the information
for any purpose other than the original purpose.