From: seove@mars.lerc.nasa.gov (ERIC OVERTON)
Subject: Code of Ethics for Engineers and whoever...
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center
Distribution: usa
Date:  7 Apr 1992 15:54 EDT  

CODE OF ETHICS FOR ENGINEERS


PREAMBLE

THE ENGINEER, TO UPHOLD AND ADVANCE THE HONOR AND DIGNITY OF THE ENGINEERING
PROFESSION AND IN KEEPING WITH HIGH STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT: WILL BE
HONEST AND IMPARTIAL, AND WILL SERVE WITH DEVOTION HIS EMPLOYER AND WILL
STRIVE TO INCREASE THE COMPETENCE AND PRESTIGE OF THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION.

SECTION 1

THE ENGINEER WILL BE GUIDED IN ALL HIS PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS BY THE HIGHEST
STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY, AND WILL ACT IN PROFESSIONAL MATTERS FOR EACH CLIENT
OR EMPLOYER AS A FAITHFUL AGENT OR TRUSTEE.

      a.    THE WILL BE REALISTIC AND HONEST IN ALL ESTIMATES REPORTS,
            STATEMENTS AND TESTIMONY.

      b.    HE WILL ADMIT AND ACCEPT HIS OWN ERRORS WHEN PROVEN OBVIOUSLY
            WRONG AND REFRAIN FROM DISTORTING OR ALTERING THE FACTS IN AN
            ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY HIS DECISION.

      c.    HE WILL ADVISE HIS CLIENT OR EMPLOYER WHEN HE BELIEVES A PROJECT
            WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

      d.    HE WILL NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT TO THE DETRIMENT OF HIS
            REGULAR WORK OR INTEREST.

SECTION 2

THE ENGINEER WILL HAVE PROPER REGARD FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS PROFESSIONAL
DUTIES. IF HIS ENGINEERING JUDGMENT IS OVERRULED BY NONTECHNICAL AUTHORITY, HE
WILL CLEARLY POINT OUT THE CONSEQUENCES. IF THE CLIENT OR EMPLOYER INSISTS ON
SUCH UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, HE SHALL NOTIFY THE PROPER AUTHORITIES AND
WITHDRAW FROM FURTHER SERVICE ON THE PROJECT.

SECTION 3

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT ADVERTISE HIS WORK OR MERIT IN A SELF-LAUDATORY MANNER,
AND WILL AVOID ALL CONDUCT OR PRACTICE LIKELY TO DISCREDIT OR UNFAVORABLY
REFLECT UPON THE DIGNITY OR HONOR OF THE PROFESSION.

      a.    CIRCUMSPECT ADVERTISING MAY BE PROPERLY EMPLOYED BY THE
            ENGINEER TO ANNOUNCE HIS PRACTICE AND AVAILABILITY. ONLY THOSE
            MEDIA SHALL BE USED AS ARE NECESSARY TO REACH DIRECTLY AN
            INTERESTED AND POTENTIAL CLIENT OR EMPLOYER, AND SUCH MEDIA SHALL
            IN THEMSELVES BE DIGNIFIED, REPUTABLE AND CHARACTERISTICALLY FREE
            OF ANY FACTOR OR CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WOULD BRING DISREPUTE TO THE
            PROFESSION OR TO THE PROFESSIONAL USING THEM. THE SUBSTANCE OF
            SUCH ADVERTISING SHALL BE LIMITED TO FACT AND SHALL CONTAIN NO
            STATEMENT OR OFFER INTENDED TO DISCREDIT OR DISPLACE ANOTHER
            ENGINEER, EITHER SPECIFICALLY OR BY IMPLICATION.

      b.    TELEPHONE LISTINGS SHALL BE LIMITED TO NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE
            NUMBER EITHER UNDER OR WITH EACH BRANCH LISTING IN WHICH HE
            QUALIFIES.

      c.    HE WILL NOT ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE LISTED FOR EMPLOYMENT
            USING EXAGGERATED STATEMENTS OF HIS QUALIFICATIONS.

      d.    HE WILL NOT USE HIS PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS OR PUBLIC OFFICE TO
            SECURE PERSONAL ADVANTAGE AND WILL AVOID ANY ACT TENDING TO
            PROMOTE HIS OWN INTEREST AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DIGNITY AND 
            STANDING OF THE PROFESSION.

SECTION 4

THE ENGINEER WILL ENDEAVOR TO EXTEND PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF
ENGINEERING AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND TO PROTECT THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION
FROM MISREPRESENTATION AND MISUNDERSTANDING.

      a.    HE SHALL NOT ISSUE STATEMENTS, CRITICISMS, OR ARGUMENTS ON
            MATTERS CONNECTED WITH PUBLIC POLICY WHICH ARE INSPIRED OR PAID
            FOR BY PRIVATE INTERESTS, UNLESS IT INDICATES ON WHOSE BEHALF HE
            IS MAKING THE STATEMENT.

SECTION 5

THE ENGINEER WILL EXPRESS AN OPINION OF AN ENGINEERING SUBJECT ONLY WHEN
FOUNDED ON ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE AND HONEST CONVICTION.

      a.    THE ENGINEER WILL INSIST ON THE USE OF FACTS IN REFERENCE TO AN
            ENGINEERING PROJECT IN A GROUP DISCUSSION, PUBLIC FORUM OR
            PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES.

SECTION 6

THE ENGINEER WILL UNDERTAKE ENGINEERING ASSIGNMENTS FOR WHICH HE WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE ONLY WHEN QUALIFIED BY TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE; AND HE WILL ENGAGE,
OR ADVISE ENGAGING, EXPERTS AND SPECIALISTS WHENEVER THE CLIENT'S OR
EMPLOYER'S INTERESTS ARE BEST SERVED BY SUCH SERVICE.

SECTION 7

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT DISCLOSE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE
BUSINESS AFFAIRS OR TECHNICAL PROCESSES OF ANY PRESENT OR FORMER CLIENT OR
EMPLOYER WITHOUT HIS CONSENT.

      a.    WHILE IN THE EMPLOY OF OTHERS, HE WILL NOT ENTER PROMOTIONAL 
            EFFORTS OR NEGOTIATIONS FOR WORK OR MAKE ARRANGEMENTS
            FOR OTHER EMPLOYMENT AS A PRINCIPAL OR TO PRACTICE IN
            CONNECTION WITH A SPECIFIC PROJECT FOR WHICH HE HAS
            GAINED PARTICULAR AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT
            THE CONSENT OF ALL INTERESTED 
            PARTIES.




SECTION 8

THE ENGINEER WILL ENDEAVOR TO AVOID A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH HIS EMPLOYER
OR CLIENT, BUT WHEN UNAVOIDABLE, THE ENGINEER SHALL FULLY DISCLOSE THE
CIRCUMSTANCES TO HIS EMPLOYER OR CLIENT.

      a.    THE ENGINEER WILL INFORM HIS CLIENT OR EMPLOYER OF ANY
            BUSINESS CONNECTIONS, INTERESTS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH MAY
            BE DEEMED AS INFLUENCING HIS JUDGMENT OR THE QUALITY OF HIS 
            SERVICES TO HIS CLIENT OR EMPLOYER.

      b.    HE SHALL NOT ACCEPT AN ASSIGNMENT THE RESULTS OF WHICH HE WILL
            ACT UPON AS A MEMBER OF A PUBLIC BODY.

SECTION 9

THE ENGINEER WILL UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLE OF APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE
COMPENSATION FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN ENGINEERING WORK.

      a.    HE WILL NOT UNDERTAKE OR AGREE TO PERFORM AN ENGINEERING
            SERVICE ON A FREE BASIS, EXCEPT FOR CIVIC, CHARITABLE, OR
            RELIGIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHEN THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
            ARE ADVISORY IN NATURE.

      b.    HE WILL NOT UNDERTAKE WORK AT A FEE OR SALARY BELOW THE
            ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSION IN THE AREA.

      c.    HE WILL NOT ACCEPT REMUNERATION FROM EITHER AN EMPLOYEE
            OR EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FOR GIVING EMPLOYMENT.

      d.    WHEN HIRING OTHER ENGINEERS, HE SHALL OFFER A SALARY
            ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEER'S QUALIFICATIONS AND THE
            RECOGNIZED STANDARDS IN THE PARTICULAR GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

      e.    IF, IN SALES EMPLOY, HE WILL NOT OFFER, OR GIVE ENGINEERING
            CONSULTATION, OR DESIGNS, OR ADVICE OTHER THAN SPECIFICALLY    
            APPLYING TO THE EQUIPMENT BEING SOLD.

SECTION 10

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT ACCEPT COMPENSATION, FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE, FROM MORE
THAN ONE INTERESTED PARTY FOR THE SAME SERVICE, OR FOR SERVICES PERTAINING TO
THE SAME WORK, UNLESS THERE IS FULL DISCLOSURE TO AND CONSENT OF ALL
INTERESTED PARTIES.

      a.    HE WILL NOT ACCEPT FINANCIAL OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING
            FREE ENGINEERING DESIGNS, FROM MATERIAL OR EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS FOR
            SPECIFYING THEIR PRODUCT.

      b.    HE WILL NOT ACCEPT COMMISSIONS OR ALLOWANCES, DIRECTLY OR
            INDIRECTLY, FROM CONTRACTORS OR OTHER PARTIES DEALING WITH
            HIS CLIENTS OR EMPLOYER IN CONNECTION WITH WORK FOR WHICH HE IS
            RESPONSIBLE.

SECTION 11

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT COMPETE UNFAIRLY WITH ANOTHER ENGINEER BY ATTEMPTING
TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT OR ADVANCEMENT OR PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS BY
COMPETITIVE BIDDING, BY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A SALARIED POSITION, BY
CRITICIZING OTHER  ENGINEERS, OR BY OTHER IMPROPER OR QUESTIONABLE METHODS.

      a.    THE ENGINEER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO SUPPLANT ANOTHER
            ENGINEER IN A PARTICULAR EMPLOYMENT AFTER BECOMING AWARE THAT
            DEFINITE STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TOWARD THE OTHER'S EMPLOYMENT.

      b.    HE WILL NOT OFFER TO PAY, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY
            COMMISSION, POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION, OR A GIFT, OR OTHER 
            CONSIDERATION IN ORDER TO SECURE WORK, EXCLUSIVE OF
            SECURING SALARIED POSITIONS THROUGH EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES.

      c.    HE SHALL NOT SOLICIT OR SUBMIT ENGINEERING PROPOSALS ON THE BASIS
            OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING. COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR PROFESSIONAL
            ENGINEERING SERVICES IS DEFINED AS THE FORMAL OR INFORMAL
            SUBMISSION, OR RECEIPT, OF VERBAL OR WRITTEN ESTIMATES OF COST OR
            PROPOSALS IN TERMS OF DOLLARS, MAN DAYS OF WORK REQUIRED,
            PERCENTAGE OF CONSTRUCTION COST, OR ANY OTHER MEASURE OF
            COMPENSATION WHEREBY THE PROSPECTIVE CLIENT MAY COMPARE SERVICES
            ON A PRICE BASIS PRIOR TO THE TIME THAT ONE ENGINEER, OR ONE
            ENGINEERING ORGANIZATION, HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR NEGOTIATIONS. THE
            DISCLOSURE OF RECOMMENDED FEE SCHEDULES PREPARED BY VARIOUS
            ENGINEERING SOCIETIES IS NOT CONSIDERED TO CONSTITUTE COMPETITIVE
            BIDDING. AN ENGINEER REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A FEE PROPOSAL OR BID
            PRIOR TO THE SELECTION OF AN ENGINEER OR FIRM SUBJECT TO THE
            NEGOTIATION OF A SATISFACTORY CONTRACT SHALL ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE
            PROCEDURE CHANGED TO CONFORM TO ETHICAL PRACTICES, BUT IF NOT
            SUCCESSFUL HE SHALL WITHDRAW FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THE PROPOSED
            WORK.

      d.    HE SHALL NOT SOLICIT OR ACCEPT AN ENGINEERING ENGAGEMENT ON A
            CONTINGENT FEE BASIS IF PAYMENT DEPENDS ON A FINDING OF ECONOMIC
            FEASIBILITY, OR OTHER CONCLUSIONS BY THE ENGINEER.

      e.    WHILE IN A SALARIED POSITION, HE WILL ACCEPT PART-TIME ENGINEERING
            WORK ONLY AT A SALARY OR FEE NOT LESS THAN THAT RECOGNIZED AS
            STANDARD IN THE AREA.

      f.    AN ENGINEER WILL NOT USE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, LABORATORY, OR
            OFFICE FACILITIES OF HIS EMPLOYER TO CARRY ON OUTSIDE PRIVATE
            PRACTICE WITHOUT CONSENT.

SECTION 12

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO INJURE, MALICIOUSLY OR FALSELY, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, THE PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION, PROSPECTS OR PRACTICE OF ANOTHER
ENGINEER, NOR WILL HE INDISCRIMINATELY CRITICIZE ANOTHER ENGINEER'S WORK IN
PUBLIC.

      a.    HE WILL NOT REVIEW THE WORK OF ANOTHER ENGINEER FOR THE SAME
            CLIENT, EXCEPT WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF SUCH ENGINEER, OR
            UNLESS THE CONNECTION OF SUCH ENGINEER WITH THE WORK HAS BEEN
            TERMINATED.

      b.    AN ENGINEER WHO IS IN SALES OR INDUSTRIAL EMPLOY IS ENTITLED TO
            MAKE ENGINEERING COMPARISONS OF THE PRODUCTS OFFERED BY VARIOUS
            SUPPLIERS.

SECTION 13

THE ENGINEER WILL NOT ASSOCIATE WITH OR ALLOW THE USE OF HIS NAME BY AN
ENTERPRISE OF QUESTIONABLE CHARACTER, NOR WILL BECOME PROFESSIONALLY
ASSOCIATED WITH ENGINEERS WHO DO NOT CONFORM TO ETHICAL PRACTICES, OR WITH
PERSONS NOT LEGALLY QUALIFIED TO RENDER THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR WHICH
THE ASSOCIATION IS INTENDED.

      a.    HE WILL NOT USE ASSOCIATION WITH A NON-ENGINEER, A CORPORATION, OR
            PARTNERSHIP AS A "CLOAK" FOR UNETHICAL ACTS, BUT MUST ACCEPT
            PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL ACTS.

SECTION 14

THE ENGINEER WILL GIVE CREDIT FOR ENGINEERING WORK TO THOSE TO WHOM CREDIT IS
DUE, AND WILL RECOGNIZE THE PROPRIETARY INTERESTS OF OTHERS.

      a.    WHENEVER POSSIBLE, HE WILL NAME THE PERSON OR PERSONS WHO MAY BE
            INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNS, INVENTIONS, WRITINGS, OR
            OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

      b.    WHEN AN ENGINEER USES DESIGNS SUPPLIED TO HIM BY A CLIENT, THE
            DESIGNS REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE CLIENT AND SHOULD NOT BE
            DUPLICATED BY THE ENGINEER FOR OTHERS WITH OUT EXPRESS PERMISSION.

      c.    BEFORE UNDERTAKING WORK FOR OTHERS IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH HE
            MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, PLANS, DESIGNS, INVENTIONS, OR OTHER
            RECORDS WHICH MAY DUE, AND WILL RECOGNIZE THE PROPRIETARY
            INTERESTS OF OTHERS.


      d.    DESIGNS, DATA, RECORDS, AND NOTES MADE BY AN ENGINEER AND
            REFERRING EXCLUSIVELY TO HIS EMPLOYER'S WORK ARE HIS EMPLOYER'S
            PROPERTY.

SECTION 15

THE ENGINEER WILL COOPERATE IN EXTENDING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION
BY INTERCHANGING INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER ENGINEERS AND
STUDENTS, AND WILL ENDEAVOR TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF ENGINEERS UNDER HIS SUPERVISION.