It is the quality from which the public trust derives and the benchmark against which a member must ultimately test all decisions. Integrity requires a member to be, among other things, honest and candid within the constraints of statutory confidentiality. Service and public trust should not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Integrity also requires a member to observe the principles of objectivity and independence and due care. A member should maintain objectivity and be free of conflicts of interest in fact and in appearance in discharging regulatory responsibilities.
Objectivity is a state of mind, a quality that lends value to a member's performance.
The principle of objectivity imposes the obligation to be impartial, intellectually honest, and free of conflict of interest. Independence precludes relationships that may appear to impair a member's objectivity in the performance of regulatory duties. The quest of excellence is the essence of due care. Due care requires members to discharge their regulatory responsibilities with competence and diligence.