NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers Preamble 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 I 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 II Rules of Practice 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 are engaged in fraudulent or dishonest enterprise e 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 NSPE Code Of Ethics For Engineers 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 NSPE Code Of Ethics For Engineers 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 of intent to 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 III 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 actively participate in strikes picket lines or other collective coercive action f