The trust that the public has of a profession and the esteem in which it is held are very much the result of the behaviour of people in the profession. If engineering is to remain a trusted profession and held in high esteem, then we engineers and technicians need to earn that.
IPowerE recognises the fundamental good character of its members, however IPowerE takes this opportunity to remind members of the Institution’s Code of Conduct. Compliance with this code of conduct is a requirement of IPowerE membership and all members should read, understand and adhere to the code.
Support your profession, enhance the standing of the profession for the benefit of all, and raise public awareness of the honesty and integrity of the profession by being aware, raising awareness and adhering to the Code of Conduct. Print it, spread it about, use it as a screen saver, be proud to be an engineer or engineering technician.
IPowerE Code of Conduct
Honesty and integrity
Engineering professionals have a duty to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct including openness, fairness, honesty and integrity. Members of IPowerE must:
▪ Act in a reliable and trustworthy manner
▪ Be alert to the ways in which their work and behaviour might affect others and respect
the privacy, rights and reputations of other parties and individuals
▪ Respect confidentiality and declare conflicts of interest
▪ Avoid deception and take steps to prevent or report corrupt practices or professional
misconduct
▪ Reject bribery and improper influence
▪ Uphold the reputation and standing of the profession and the Institution of Power
Engineers
▪ Observe the provisions of the Institution’s Rules
▪ Not use designatory letters to which they are not entitled nor use the IPowerE logo in any
way whatsoever without express permission of the Institution
▪ Notify IPowerE if they have:
– Received a criminal conviction or adverse civil court judgement related to any
aspect of the Institution’s Code of Professional Conduct (in any country)
– Been declared bankrupt or disqualified as a company director or charity trustee
– Had membership of another professional body terminated as a result of disciplinary
procedure
▪ Notify the Institution of any significant violation of the Institution’s Code of Professional
Conduct by another member
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. Members of IPowerE must:
▪ Hold paramount the health and safety of others and draw attention to hazards
▪ Ensure their work is lawful and justified
▪ Accept appropriate responsibility for work carried out under their supervision
▪ Assess relevant liability and if appropriate hold professional indemnity insurance
▪ 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
Accuracy and rigour
Engineering professionals have a duty to acquire and use wisely the understanding, knowledge and skills needed to perform their role. Members of IPowerE must:
▪ Always act with care
▪ Perform services only in areas in which they are currently competent or under
competent supervision
▪ Keep their knowledge and skills up to date by engaging in Continuing Professional
Development
▪ Assist the development of engineering knowledge and skills in others
▪ Present and review theory, evidence and interpretation honestly, accurately, objectively
and without bias, while respecting reasoned alternative views
▪ Identify, evaluate, quantify, mitigate and manage risks
▪ Not knowingly mislead or allow others to be misled
Leadership and communication
Engineering professionals have a duty to abide by and promote high standards of leadership and communication. Members of IPowerE must:
▪ Be aware of the issues that engineering and technology raise for society, and listen to
the aspirations and concerns of others
▪ Promote equality, diversity and inclusion
▪ Promote public awareness and understanding of the impact and benefits of engineering
achievements
▪ Be objective and truthful in any statement made in their professional capacity
▪ Challenge statements or policies that cause them professional concern
▪ Support a colleague or any other person to whom they have a duty of care who, in
good faith, raises any concern about a danger, risk, malpractice or wrongdoing which
affects others (i.e. whistle-blowing)
It should be noted that a breach of this Code of Professional Conduct by a Member may result in disciplinary proceedings.
This Code of Professional Conduct is based on the Statement of Ethical Principles published jointly by the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering
statement-of-ethical-principles