What are the key points of National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics? | Q & A

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics is a comprehensive set of guidelines designed to govern the professional conduct of engineers. It emphasizes the paramount importance of public safety, honesty, integrity, and professional responsibility. The NSPE Code of Ethics is structured around a few key principles and rules of practice, which can be broadly categorized as follows:

Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall:

1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.

   • Engineers should prioritize public safety and should notify the appropriate authorities if they believe that the safety of the public is at risk.

2. Perform services only in areas of their competence.

   • Engineers should only undertake assignments that they are qualified for by education or experience.

3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

   • Engineers should be honest in their public communications, including reports, statements, and testimony.

4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.

   • Engineers should be loyal and maintain confidentiality concerning their clients' or employers' affairs.

5. Avoid deceptive acts.

   • Engineers should be truthful and avoid any form of deceit in their professional activities.

6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession.

   • Engineers should uphold and advance the integrity and dignity of the engineering profession.

1. Safety, Health, and Welfare of the Public

   • 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.
   • Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable standards.

2. Competence

   • Engineers shall undertake assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved.
   • Engineers shall not affix their signatures to any plans or documents dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence.

3. Public Statements

   • Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
   • Engineers shall not issue statements, criticisms, or arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they explicitly identify the interested parties on whose behalf they are presenting and reveal any interest they may have in the matters.

4. Faithful Agent or Trustee

   • Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees.
   • 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.

5. Deceptive Acts

   • Engineers shall not falsify their qualifications or permit misrepresentation of their or their associates' qualifications.
   • Engineers shall not offer, give, solicit, or receive 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 influence the awarding of a contract.

1. Honesty and Integrity

   • Engineers shall acknowledge their errors and shall not distort or alter the facts.
   • Engineers shall advise their clients or employers when they believe a project will not be successful.

2. Responsibility

   • Engineers shall undertake to perform services only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical fields involved.
   • Engineers shall not engage in conduct that constitutes a conflict of interest.

3. Competence

   • Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

4. Fairness and Transparency

   • Engineers shall act with fairness and justice to all parties.
   • Engineers shall not engage in any conduct that can be seen as deceptive or as compromising their ability to act impartially.

5. Respect for Colleagues

   • Engineers shall avoid any actions that maliciously or falsely injure the professional reputation of another engineer.
   • Engineers shall cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the profession by exchanging information and experience with other engineers.

6. Environmental and Social Responsibility

   • Engineers should consider the environmental impact of their professional activities and work to mitigate any adverse effects.
   • Engineers should be mindful of the societal implications of their work and strive to ensure that their contributions positively impact society.

By adhering to the NSPE Code of Ethics, engineers demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence, public safety, and the ethical practice of engineering. This code serves as a guide to ensure that engineers maintain the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and responsibility in their professional conduct.