Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

Canons of Ethics for Engineers

Prepared by a joint committee from National Engineering Societies, under tbe sponsorship of tbe Engineers Council For Professional Development, and approved by tbe Board of Directors of NSPE, at its St. Louis, 1946 Meeting.

Foreword
Justice, courtesy, and sincerity, exercised with honesty, wisdom, and mutual interest between men, make the foundation of ethics.

This ethical code is prepared for the guidance of engineers and engineering students and is aimed to express a consensus of considered judgement on certain matters of common interest to engineers, especially such matters as may not have obvious ethical
solutions Ethics should be more than passive observance a code of "don'ts" in the life of an engineer. They should be recognized as dynamic principles guiding his conduct and way of life.

The principals are briefly set forth in what follows:

Professional life and employment
1. The engineer will avoid conduct and practices likely to discredit the honor and dignity of the engineering profession.
2. He will attempt to cooperate in building up the engineering profession by interchanging information and experience with other engineers and students by contributing to the work of engineering
societies, schools and the scientific and engineering press, without disclosing confidential matter.
3. He will present clearly the consequences to be expected from the deviations proposed if his engineering judgment is overruled by non-technical authority in cases where he is responsible for the technical
adequacy of engineering work.
4. He will endeavor to protect the engineering profession and all those who, insofar as his knowledge goes, are the real authors of the work.
5. He will maintain the principles that unduly low compensation for engineering employment tends toward inferior and unreliable results and is to the disadvantage of his profession.
7. He will not advertise his work or merits in a self-laudatory manner or in a way injurious to the dignity of his profession.

Relations with other engineers
8. The engineer will not, directly or indirectly, injure the reputation or business of another engineer.
9. He will not try to supplant another engineer in a particular employment after becoming aware that decision to employ, the other has been reached.
10. He will not compete with another on the basis of charges for work by underbidding after he has been informed of the charges named by the other.
11. He will not use personally the advantages of a salaried position to compete unfairly with another engineer.
12. He will not knowingly review the work of another engineer for the latter’s client or employer, without the other engineer’s knowledge unless the latter’s connection with the work has terminated.
13. He will not knowingly become associated in responsibility for engineering work with engineers who do not conform to ethical practices.

Relations with clients and employers
14. The engineer will endeavor, insofar as it is possible, to secure justice between his client or employer and the contractor when dealing with contracts.
15. He will act in professional matters for each client or employer as a faithful agent or trustee.
16. He will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service, or for services pertaining to the same work without the consent of all interested parties.
17. He will not, without the full, knowledge and consent of his client or employer, have an interest in any business which may bias his judgement regarding engineering work for which he is employed or which he may be called upon to perform, or have interest in a business which may compete with the business of his client or employer.
18. He will not be financially interested in bids as a contractor on competitive work for which he is employed as an engineer unless he has the consent of his client or employer.
19. He will not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with his client or employer.
20. He will make his status clearly understood to his client or employer before undertaking an engagement if he may be called upon to decide on the use of inventions, apparatus, or any other thing in which he may have a financial interest.
21. He will regard it his duty to guard against dangerous elements in apparatus, structures, or plants, or dangerous conditions of operation therein, and upon observing such conditions in work with which he is associated, he will call them to the attention of his client or employer. If dangerous conditions persist with his knowledge, he is not fully relieved of his responsibilities.
22. He will, when he is a public officer recognize his limitations and, under such conditions retain and cooperate with other engineering experts and specialists when ever such cooperation may be serviceable.

Relations with the Public
23. The engineer will interest himself in the public welfare and be ready to apply his special knowledge, skill, and training for the benefit of mankind.
24. He will assist public officials and others in attaining a fair and correct general understanding of engineering matters extend the public knowledge if engineering, and discourage untrue, unfair, and exaggerated statements regarding engineering.
25. He will recognize the fact that meetings of engineering societies and the engineering press provide the proper form for technical discussions and criticisms, and also that clear statements of facts relating to engineering enterprises are often of values to the public when they are prepared for laymen’s understanding and released by competent authority through the public press.
26. He will not issue ex parte statements, criticisms, or arguments on matters connected with public policy which are inspired or paid for by private interests unless he indicates on whose behalf he is making the statements.
27. He will not express publicly an opinion on an engineering subject without being informed as to the facts relating thereto.
28. He will express no opinion which is not founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction while he is serving as a witness before a court, commission, or other tribunal.
29. He will not lend his name to any questionable enterprise or engage in any occupancy contrary to law.
30. He will make provisions for safety of life and health of employees and of the public who may be affected by the work for which he is responsible.
31. He will carry on his work in a spirit of fairness and loyalty to associates, subordinates, and employees, fidelity to the public needs, and devotion to high ideals of courtesy and personal honor.