Engineering Ethics

206 Engineering Ethics: An Industrial Perspective

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 promote their own interest at the expense

of the dignity and integrity of the profession.

2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest.

a. Engineers shall seek opportunities to participate in civic affairs;

career guidance for youths; and work for the advancement of

the safety, health, and well-being of their community.

b. Engineers shall not complete, sign, or seal plans and/or

specifications that are not in conformity with applicable

engineering standards. If the client or employer insists on such

unprofessional conduct, they shall notify the proper authorities

and withdraw from further service on the project.

c. Engineers shall endeavor to extend public knowledge and

appreciation of engineering and its achievements.

3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public.

a. Engineers shall avoid the use of statements containing a

material misrepresentation of fact or omitting a material fact.

b. Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may advertise for

recruitment of personnel.

c. Consistent with the foregoing, engineers may prepare articles

for the lay or technical press, but such articles shall not imply

credit to the author for work performed by others.

4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential

information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of

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National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers 207

any present or former client or employer, or public body on which

they serve.

a. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested

parties, promote or arrange for new employment or practice in

connection with a specific project for which the engineer has

gained particular and specialized knowledge.

b. Engineers shall not, without the consent of all interested parties,

participate in or represent an adversary interest in connection

with a specific project or proceeding in which the engineer has

gained particular specialized knowledge on behalf of a former

client or employer.

5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by

conflicting interests.

a. Engineers shall not accept financial or other considerations,

including free engineering designs, from material or equipment

suppliers for specifying their product.

b. Engineers shall not accept commissions or allowances, directly

or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with

clients or employers of the engineer in connection with work

for which the engineer is responsible.

6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement

or professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other

engineers, or by other improper or questionable methods.

a. Engineers shall not request, propose, or accept a commission

on a contingent basis under circumstances in which their

judgment may be compromised.

b. Engineers in salaried positions shall accept part-time

engineering work only to the extent consistent with policies

of the employer and in accordance with ethical

considerations.

c. Engineers shall not, without consent, use equipment, supplies,

laboratory, or office facilities of an employer to carry on

outside private practice.

7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely,

directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects,

practice, or employment of other engineers. Engineers who

believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall

present such information to the proper authority for action.

a. Engineers in private practice shall not review the work of

another engineer for the same client, except with the

knowledge of such engineer, or unless the connection of such

engineer with the work has been terminated.

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