Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

The decisions and actions of engineers have a profound impact on the world we live in,and society at large.Making a clear and public commitment to operating with integrity and honesty is essential to create a greater level of trust and confidence,and a positive perception of the engineering profession.

The Royal Academy of Engineering,in collaboration with Engineering Council (UK) and a number of the leading professional engineering institutions,has created a Statement of Ethical Principles to which it believes all professional engineers and related bodies should subscribe.

Engineering is the knowledge required,and the process applied,to conceive,design,make,build,operate, sustain,recycle or retire,something of significant technical content for a specific purpose;-a concept,a model,a product,a device,a process,a system,a technology.

Engineers are individuals who apply this creative process.Professional Engineers work to enhance the welfare,health and safety of all whilst paying due regard to the environment and the sustainability of resources.They have made personal and professional commitments to enhance the wellbeing of society through the exploitation of knowledge to create new things and the management of creative teams.

This Statement of Ethical Principles establishes the standard which the members of the engineering profession adopt to regulate their working habits and relationships.The values on which it is based should apply whether or not an engineer is acting in a professional capacity.

There are four fundamental principles which guide an engineer in achieving the high ideals of professional life.These express the beliefs and values of the profession and are amplified below.To aid interpretation in practical situations guidance notes will be provided.

Accuracy and Veracity Honesty and Integrity

Professional Engineers have a duty to ensure that they acquire and use wisely and faithfully all knowledge relevant to the engineering skills needed in their work in the service of others;they should:

• Act with care and competence in all matters relating to duties..

• Maintain up to date knowledge and skills and assist their development in others.

• Perform services only in areas of current competence..

• Not knowingly mislead,,or allow others to be misled,about engineering matters.

• Present and review engineering evidence, theory and interpretation honestly,accurately and without bias and quantify all risks.

There are fundamental common values that bind all humanity together: the profession derives its ultimate value from people.Accordingly,all dealings with others should be conducted with fairness and honesty and Professional Engineers should accord the highest importance to freedom of choice,equality of opportunity and social justice; they should:

• Be alert to the ways in which their duties derive from and affect the work of other people;respect the rights and reputations of others.

• Avoid deceptive acts and take steps to prevent corrupt practices and professional misconduct;declare conflicts of interest.

• Reject bribery or improper influence..

• Act for each employer or client in a reliable and trustworthy manner..

Respect for Life, Law and the Public Good

In making choices Professional Engineers should give due weight to all relevant law,facts and guiding principles and to the public interest;they should:

• Ensure that all work is lawful and justified..

• Minimise and justify any adverse effect on wealth creation,,the natural environment and social justice whilst ensuring that all developments meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Act honourably, responsibly and lawfully so as to uphold the reputation, standing and dignity of the profession.

Responsible Leadership: Listening and Informing

Professional Engineers should exercise high standards of leadership in the exploitation and management of technology.They hold a privileged and trusted position in society and have a duty to ensure that their position is not used to the benefit of personal or sectional interests or to the detriment of the wider community but is seen to reflect public concern;they should:

• Identify and be aware of the issues that engineering raises for society;; listen to the aspirations and concerns of others.

• Lead in promoting public awareness and understanding of the impact and benefits of engineering achievements.

• Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner

The Royal Academy of Engineering
29 Great Peter Street,
London SW1P 3LW
Tel:020 7227 0500 Fax:020 7233 0054 www.raeng.org.uk

The Royal Academy of Engineering promotes excellence in the science,art and practice of engineering.

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