The “comprehensive study of 18 codes of conduct from similar and disparate organisations in Ireland and overseas” undertaken by Engineers Ireland has not been made available to Members. Therefore we have had to undertake a review of the following ten comparable organisations.
The Organisation link is to the Organisation website and the Year link is to the relevant governance documents:
- Engineers Canada | (2016)
- Engineers Australia | (2022)
- Engineers New Zealand | (2016)
- Institution of Civil Engineers {ICE} | (2022)
- Institution of Structural Engineers {IStructE} | (2022)
- Engineering Council | (2017)
- American Society of Civil Engineers {ASCE} | (2020)
- National Society of Professional Engineers {NSPE} | (2019)
- Royal Institute of British Architects {RIBA} | (2021)
- Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland {RIAI} | (2013)
Remarks
What is apparent in the revision of the Engineers Ireland Code of Ethics(2023) is that Clause 1: “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public; the protection of the environment: and the promotion of health and safety in the workplace” is almost identical to the Clause 1 in the Engineers Canada Code of Ethics(2016). However, Engineers Canada provides its interpretation of Clause 1 as shown below in Clause 3.1. In addition, the guiding principles of its board regarding transparency and accountability are noteworthy.
There now follows short excerpts from the governance documents associated with the list of similar organisations as identified above. Those that have updated their respective Codes of Conduct since the introduction of the UN Sustainable Development Goals have not chosen to remove references to Sustainability in the latest revision, unlike Engineers Ireland.
Engineers Canada
“Engineers Canada provides a public guideline in the Code of Ethics (2016) which includes both the code of ethics and the interpretation of the code of ethics. The following is an extract from that document. “The Code of Ethics presented below expresses the expectations from registrants as they discharge their professional responsibilities. The Code is based on broad principles of integrity, truth, honesty, and trustworthiness, respect for human life and welfare, fairness, openness, competence, and accountability. Some of these broader ethical principles or issues deemed more universally applicable are not specifically stated in the Code, though they are understood to apply as well; only those tenets deemed particularly applicable to the practice of engineering are listed. Nevertheless, ethical principles or issues not commonly considered to be part of professional ethics may sometimes have implications on the registrant’s professional role.”
| “2. The code of ethics” | “3 Interpretation of the code of ethics” |
| “Registrants shall conduct themselves with integrity, in an honourable and ethical manner. Registrants shall uphold the values of truth, honesty and trustworthiness and safeguard human life and welfare and the environment. In keeping with: | |
| “1. Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment and promote health and safety within the workplace.” | “3.1 Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, environment and workplace. Registrants shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment. This obligation to the safety, health and welfare of the general public, which includes the work environment, is often dependent upon engineering judgements, risk assessments, decisions and practices incorporated into structures, machines, products, processes, and devices. Therefore, registrants must ensure that works they are involved with conform to accepted engineering practice, standards, and applicable codes, and would be considered “safe” based on peer adjudication. This responsibility includes all situations which an engineer encounters, and includes an obligation to advise the appropriate authority if there is reason to believe that any engineering activity or its products, processes, etc. are not in compliance in a significant manner.” |
| “8. Be aware of, and ensure that clients and employers are made aware of, societal and environmental consequences of actions or projects and endeavour to interpret engineering issues to the public in an objective and truthful manner.” | 3.8 Inform clients and employers of societal and environmental consequences. Because of the rapid advancements in technology and the increasing ability of engineering infrastructure to have an impact on the environment, registrants have an obligation to be mindful of the effect that their decisions will have on the environment and the well-being of society, and to report any concerns of this nature in the same manner as previously mentioned. Furthermore, with the rapid advance of technology and the possible societal impacts on large populations of people, registrants must endeavour to foster the public’s understanding of technical issues more than ever before. |
Board Policy Manual 2022
“1.2 Guiding principles”
“The guiding principles are statements that inform and guide decision-making at Engineers Canada. They embody the corporate culture and clarify what is most important. In times of ambiguity, they point to the preferred course of action. They refer to “how” things should be done, not “what” needs to be done.“
| (2) Ensure transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. | a) Ensure that the process is clear and transparent. |
| b) Actively engage all affected parties in the process. | |
| c) Ensure that all comments and guidance provided during consultations are considered during the process. | |
| d) Share supporting background and rationale for final decisions with all affected parties. |
Engineers Australia
“As engineering practitioners, we use our knowledge and skills for the benefit of the community to create engineering solutions for a sustainable future. In doing so, we strive to serve the community ahead of other personal or sectional interests……. We accept that we will be held accountable for our conduct under Engineers Australia’s disciplinary regulations.”
4 Promote sustainability
| Code of Ethics (2022) | Guidelines on Professional Conduct (2022) |
| 4.1 Engage responsibly with the community and other stakeholders | a. be sensitive to public concerns |
| b. inform employers or clients of the likely consequences of proposed activities on the community and the environment | |
| c. promote the involvement of all stakeholders and the community in decisions and processes that may impact upon them and the environment | |
| 4.2 Practise engineering to foster the health, safety and wellbeing of the community and the environment | a. incorporate social, cultural, health, safety, environmental and economic considerations into the engineering task |
| 4.3 Balance the needs of the present with the needs of future generations.” | a. in identifying sustainable outcomes consider all options in terms of their economic, environmental and social consequences |
| b. aim to deliver outcomes that do not compromise the ability of future life to enjoy the same or better environment, health, wellbeing and safety as currently enjoyed. |
Engineers New Zealand
“The Code of Ethical Conduct sets out shared expectations of ethical practice that engineers have agreed to uphold. The Code gives the public confidence that all members have agreed to uphold high standards of ethical behaviour, and it is a benchmark by which we can measure expected standards of conduct.
The principles in the Code remind us of our obligations as engineering professionals, and the responsibilities we have to others. The Code helps us in two key ways:
- it tells us what we need to do to be ethical practitioners (for example, keep our knowledge and skills up to date); and
- it helps us decide what do in difficult ethical situations by reference to agreed standards of behaviour.”
2 Have regard to effects on the environment
| Code of Ethical Conduct (2016) | Being Ethical, Practice Note 8 v3 (2019) |
| i have regard to reasonably foreseeable effects on the environment from those activities; and | |
| ii have regard to the need for sustainable management of the environment. In this rule, sustainable management means management that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations (including at least the future generations within the anticipated lifetime of the end products and by-products of those activities) to meet their own reasonably foreseeable needs.” | This means respecting the need to sustainably manage the planet’s resources. It means doing your best to minimise the environmental impact of your engineering activities – not just today but for the longer term. Sustainable management involves allocating resources to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. You should: |
| • use resources efficiently • minimise waste and encourage environmentally sound reuse, recycling and disposal • recognise how your engineering activities will affect the environment, and seek to avoid or mitigate any adverse effects. A good source of information is The Sustainability Society. |
Institution of Civil Engineers
“The duty upon members of the ICE to behave ethically is, in effect, the duty to behave honourably; in modern words, ‘to do the right thing’……. Members of the ICE should always be aware of their overriding responsibility to the public good. A member’s obligations to the client can never override this, and members of the ICE should not enter undertakings which compromise this responsibility. The ‘public good’ includes care and respect for humanity’s cultural, historical and archaeological heritage, in addition to the duties specified in the Rules of Professional Conduct to protect the health and well-being of present and future generations and to show due regard for the environment and for the sustainable management of natural resources.”
| Code of Professional Conduct (2022) | Guidance Notes (2022) |
| “Rule 4: All members shall show due regard for the environment and for the sustainable management of natural resources.” | “In all the work that members do, they must be able to demonstrate, by an appropriate audit trail, that they have taken all reasonable steps to take account of all the relevant factors in relation to the impact upon the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources. It is increasingly the case that engineers are called to account for their decisions, especially where projects are controversial or are opposed by particular interest groups.” |
Institution of Structural Engineers
Members shall:
| 2) have regard to the public interest as well as the interests of all those affected by their professional activities. | Public interest can be broadly defined as the actions or steps that result in the welfare of individuals and wider society. Members undertake their professional duties with respect for relevant legislation and for the health and safety of all. Members carry out their professional duties cognisant of the short term and long-term impacts of their actions, taking measures to protect those affected by their advice and the laws that are relevant to their work. The Institution of Structural Engineers supports a policy of sustainability and renewable resources. {Members shall ……comply with the Statement of Ethical Principles published by the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering.} |
| 6. Acting in the public interest | 6.3 Members must consider the safety of their designs through the design-life cycle, from initial concept through to demolition. Members should employ a “right first-time” approach and have in place adequate checking procedures in line with an appropriate Quality Management System to ensure a safe design. (see section 16). These Guidance Notes are associated with all Articles of the Institution’s Code of Conduct. For further information on best practice: BPN No. 25: Reporting wrongdoing; BPN No. 9: Ethics |
| 7 Sustainability and climate change | 7.1 Members should be aware of the impact their professional duties have on the environment and take proactive measures to operate in a sustainable manner. In doing so, members should consider the effects of their design and the impact of that design on the environment, by considering the whole life cycle of the building through design, construction, use, re-use and demolition such that it reduces unnecessary consumption of resources, and minimises waste. This Guidance Note is associated with Articles 1, 2, 3 and 6 of the Institution’s Code of Conduct. Further guidance on this subject may be found in the Institution’s dedicated Climate Emergency website. |
Engineering Council
“A revised statement was jointly produced in 2017. The statement is the result of wide consultation, both within the engineering profession and with other professionals specialising in applied ethics. It contains four fundamental principles and is designed to form the core of the codes of conduct published by the professional engineering institutions. All registered engineers and technicians have committed to working in an ethical and socially responsible manner in accordance with their institution’s code of conduct.”
“The Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering have jointly created a Statement of Ethical Principles for all engineering professionals. Engineering professionals work to enhance the wellbeing of society. In doing so they are required to maintain and promote high ethical standards and challenge unethical behaviour.”
| 2. Respect for life, law, the environment and public good | Engineering professionals have a duty to obey all applicable laws and regulations and give due weight to facts, published standards and guidance and the wider public interest. They should: – hold paramount the health and safety of others and draw attention to hazards – ensure their work is lawful and justified – recognise the importance of physical and cyber security and data protection – respect and protect personal information and intellectual property – protect, and where possible improve, the quality of built and natural environments – maximise the public good and minimise both actual and potential adverse effects for their own and succeeding generations – take due account of the limited availability of natural resources – uphold the reputation and standing of the profession |
American Society of Civil Engineers
“Members of The American Society of Civil Engineers conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism, and above all else protect and advance the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the practice of Civil Engineering…. All members of The American Society of Civil Engineers, regardless of their membership grade or job description, commit to all of the following ethical responsibilities….”
| 2. Natural and Built Environment | Engineers: a. adhere to the principles of sustainable development; b. consider and balance societal, environmental, and economic impacts, along with opportunities for improvement, in their work; c. mitigate adverse societal, environmental, and economic effects; and d. use resources wisely while minimizing resource depletion. |
National Society of Professional Engineers
“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.”
| III. Professional Obligations | |
| 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. d. Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generations. {“Sustainable development” is the challenge of meeting human needs for natural resources, industrial products, energy, food, transportation, shelter, and effective waste management while conserving and protecting environmental quality and the natural resource base essential for future development.} |
| 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. |
Royal Institute of British Architects
“The Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) sets out and explains the standards of professional conduct and practice which the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA or the Institute) requires of all its Members, in accordance with its stated purpose for ‘…the advancement of Architecture and the promotion of the acquirement of the knowledge of the Arts and Sciences connected therewith.’ ”
| Principle 1: Integrity | Members shall behave with integrity and shall strive to safeguard and improve the standing, reputation and dignity of the Institute and its Members in all their professional activities. Members shall consistently promote and protect the public interest and social purpose, taking into account future generations.” |
| Principle 2: Competence | Members should continuously strive to improve their professional knowledge and skill. Members should persistently seek to raise the standards of architectural education, life‑long learning, research, training, and practice for the benefit of the public interest, those commissioning services, the profession and themselves. Members should strive to protect and enhance heritage and the natural environment.” “13. The environment 13.1 Members should consider the environmental impact of their professional activities, including the impact of each project on the natural environment 13.2 Members shall advise their clients on the need, if any, for specialist professional advice required to ensure that their project safeguards the local environment, ecology and biodiversity. 13.3 Members should promote sustainable design and development principles in their professional activities. 13.4 In performing professional services, Members shall advocate the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings and communities. 13.5 Members shall inform clients of sustainable practices suitable to their project and shall encourage their clients to adopt sustainable practices at the earliest opportunity. 13.6 When performing professional services, Members should develop and discuss with their client a written Sustainability Strategy for the project, where appropriate. 13.7 Members must use reasonable endeavours to specify and use sustainable materials on their projects. 13.8 Members must use reasonable endeavours to minimise whole-life carbon and energy use. 13.9 Members should practise evidence-informed design and should keep records of the evidence used in reaching design decisions.” |
Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland
“The code reflects the responsibilities of architects to the public, clients, employers and colleagues. The standards of professional conduct and practice that shall be adhered to by architects are set out in this code under three principles as follows:
– Principle 1 General Obligations
– Principle 2 Obligations to Clients and Employers
– Principle 3 Obligations to the Profession”
| Principle 1 General Obligations | 1.15 Whilst an architect’s primary responsibility is to his/her client(s), he/she should nevertheless have due regard to his/her wider responsibility to conserve and enhance the environment. |
Conscientious Observers 