Ethics

The follow ing code of ethics was adopted by the American Society of Civil Engineers
on September 25, 1976. The code of ethics became effective on January 1, 1977. The
ASCE has since amended this code on October 25, 1980, and April 17, 1993. The code
of ethics shown below is in the most recent amended form.

The ASCE adopted the fundamental principles of the ABET Code of Ethics of Engineers
as accepted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).

Code of Ethics1

Fundamental Principles:

Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering
profession by:

1. using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
2. being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employers
and clients;
3. striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession;
and
4. supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons:

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in
the performance of their professional duties.
2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as
faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services
and shall not compete unfairly with others.
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity and dignity of the engineering profession.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their
careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of
those engineers under their supervision.

Guidelines to Practice Under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics:

CANON 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public
in the performance of their professional duties.
 a. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the
general public are dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions and
practices incorporated into struc tures, machines, products, processes and
devices.
b. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or
prepared by them, which are determined to be safe for public health and
welfare in conformity with accep ted engineering standards.
c. Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances
where t he safety, health and welfare of the public are endangered, shall
inform their clients or employer s of the possible consequences.
d. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or
firm ma y be in violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such
information to the pro per authority in writing and shall cooperate with the
proper authority in furnishing such further information or assistance as may be
required.
e. Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs
a nd work for the advancement of the safety, health and well-being of their
communities.
f. Engineers should be committed to improving the environment to enhance the
quality of life.

CANON 2. Engin eers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

a. Engineers s hall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when

qualified by education or experience in the technical field of engineering
involved.
b. Engineers m ay accept an assignment requiring education or experience
outside of their own fields of compete nce, provided their services are
restricted to those phases of the project in which they are qualifie d. All other
phases of such project shall be performed by qualified associates, consultants
or employees.
c. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or
document dealing with subjec t matter in which they lack competence by virtue
of education or experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or
prepared under their supervisory control.

CANON 3. Engin eers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful
manner.

a. Engineers s hould endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering, and

shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering.
b. 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.
 c. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering
opinion only when it is founded up on adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a
background of technical competence and upon honest conviction.
d. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms or arguments on engineering
matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they
indicate on whose behalf the statements are made.
e. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and
will avoid any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the
integrity, honor and dignity of the profession.

CANON 4. Engin eers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as
faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.

a. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their
employers or clients and shall p romptly inform their employers or clients of
any business association, interests or circumstances which could influence their
judgment or the quality of their services.
b. Engineers shall not accept compensation 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 to and agreed to by all interested parties.
c. Engineers s hall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from
contractors, their agents or other pa rties dealing with their clients or
employers in connection with work for which they are responsible.
d. Engineers in public service as members, advisors or employees of a
governmental body or department shall not participate in considerations or
actions with respect to services solicited or provided by them or their
organization in private or public engineering practice.
e. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their
studies, they believe a project will not be successful.
f. Engineers s hall not use confidential information coming to them in the course
of their assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is
adverse to the interests of their clients, employers or the public.
g. Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular
work or interest without the knowledge of their employers.

CANON 5. Engi neers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their
services and shall not compete unfairly with others.

a. Engineers shall not give, solicit or receive either directly or indirectly, any
political contribution, gratuity or unlawful consideration in order to secure
work, exclusive of securing salaried positions through employment agencies.
b. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the
basis of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of
professional service required.
c. Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a
contingent basis only under circumstances in which their professional
judgments would not be compromised.
 d. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or
professional qualifications or experience.
e. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit
is due, and shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever
possible, they shall name the person or persons who may be responsible for
designs, inventions, writings or other accomplishments.
f. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain
misleading language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the
profession. Examples of permissible advertising are as follows: Professional
cards in recognized, dignified publications, and listings in rosters or directories
published by responsible organizations, provided that the cards or listings are
consistent in size and content and are in a section of the publication regularly
devoted to such professional cards. Brochures which factually describe
experience, facilities, personnel and capacity to render service, providing they
are not misleading with respect to the engineer’s participation in projects
described. Display advertising in recognized dignified business and professional
publications, providing it is factual and is not misleading with respect to the
engineer’s extent of participation in projects described. A statement of the
engineers’ names or the name of the firm and statement of the type of service
posted on projects for which they render services. Preparation or authorization
of descriptive articles for the lay or technical press, which are factual and
dignified. Such articles shall not imply anything more than direct participation
in the project described. Permission by engineers for their names to be used in
commercial advertisements, such as may be published by contractors, material
suppliers, etc., only by means of a modest, dignified notation acknowledging
the engineers’ participation in the project described. Such permission shall not
include public endorsement of proprietary products.
g. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the
professional reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another
engineer or indiscriminately criticize another’s work.
h. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory or office facilities of
their employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of
their employers.

CANON 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity and dignity of the engineering profession.

a. Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner which will be derogatory to the
honor, integrity or dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in
business or professional practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical
nature.

CANON 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their

careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those
engineers under their supervision.
a. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in
professional practice, participating in continuing education courses, reading in
the technical literature and attending professional meetings and seminars.
b. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered
at the earliest possible date.
c. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present
papers at professional and technical society meetings.
d. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships
between employers and employees with respect to terms of employment,
including professional grade descriptions, salary ranges and fringe benefits.