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IEEM Code of Professional Conduct
1. Introduction
1.1 Members of the Institute of Ecology
and Environmental Management are bound by this Code of Professional Conduct.
Acceptance and adherence to this Code is a duty of every member and a condition
of membership.
1.2 The purpose of this Code is to
ensure the commitment of members to the objectives of the Institute. Members
shall ensure that no action on their part is inconsistent with or harmful to
the objectives of the Institute as laid out in the Articles of Association of
the Institute.
2. Definitions
2.1 Throughout this Code, "Institute"
shall mean the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
2.2 "employers" shall mean employers
of members of the Institute and any third party to whom a member provides professional
services
2.3 "members" shall mean the members
of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management as defined in the Bye-laws
of the Institute
2.4 "Council" shall mean the Council
of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management as defined in the Articles
of Association of the Institute.
3. Fundamental principles
3.1 Members should accept fully the
moral, creative, cultural, scientific and economic responsibilities and challenges
implied by environmental stewardship.
3.2 Members should endeavour to:
3.2.1 Maintain the ecological processes
and life support systems essential for a fully functional biosphere
3.2.2 Further wherever possible the
conservation and enhancement of biodiversity through environmentally sustainable
management and development.
3.2.3 Develop human understanding,
capabilities and collaboration to conserve global resources.
4. General Professional obligations
4.1 In pursuing their professional
activities, members are expected to act with scientific integrity and discipline,
exemplified by the following:
4.2 Members shall:
4.2.1 Report correctly, truthfully,
fully and clearly to the limit of their ability, information pertinent to a
given project and convey their findings objectively. No member shall fabricate
or falsify results or commit scientific fraud, and shall use their best endeavours
to prevent such fabrication, falsification or scientific fraud.
4.2.2 Identify in reports any inadequacy
or constraint (financial, operational or otherwise) that might have impaired
the quality of the ecological work undertaken.
4.2.3 Not plagiarise or misrepresent
the work of others.
4.2.4 Give full and proper credit
for information used and acknowledge fairly the professional contributions of
others.
4.2.5 Not endorse information supplied
by an employer or other organisation without taking reasonable steps to establish
its validity.
4.2.6 Avoid and discourage the dissemination
of false, erroneous, biased, unwarranted or exaggerated statements concerning
ecology and environmental management.
4.2.7 Ensure that their advice, assessments
or other forms of appraisal have regard to local, regional, national and global
implications for natural resources and ecosystems.
4.2.8 Maintain high standards of
awareness of new developments in ecology and environmental management. Members
should conform to the Institute's requirements for continuing professional development.
4.2.9 Wherever possible, make scientific
data collected during the course of their work available to appropriate recording
centres.
4.2.10 When reporting, promoting
or advertising their services, do so in an accurate and factual manner that
is not misleading and is not discreditable to the Institute, its members or
the profession.
4.2.11 Ensure that staff acting under
their supervision comply with this code in matters relating to their professional
work, whether or not they are members of the Institute.
4.2.12 Not claim a class of membership
other than that approved by Council.
4.2.13 Not present themselves as
spokespersons for the Institute without Council's authority.
4.2.14 Recognise and respect the
status and obligations of other professionals.
4.2.15 Not voluntarily enter into
partnership, employment or other collaboration with any person expelled from
membership of the Institute or refused entry on grounds of actions inconsistent
with this Code.
5. Employment Obligations
5.1 In their dealings with employers,
members shall:
5.1.1 Inform their employers of this
Code and advise them that all professional business will be conducted in accordance
with its provisions.
5.1.2 Keep good faith with their
employers. a. Agree with any employer in writing at the outset the terms and
conditions under which any services are to be provided, including fees, the
assignation of copyright and constraints on confidentiality. b. Inform a prospective
or current employer of any professional, financial or personal interests in
relation to a project. c. Perform only such services that are within their competence
having made clear to the employer the extent of such competence.
5.1.3 Not solicit or accept financial
inducement, favours or preferential treatment.
5.1.4 Not give professional advice
or undertake professional work unless they have ensured that Professional Indemnity
insurance or liability cover is in place to cover them in respect of that advice
or work.
6. Compliance with the Code of Professional
Conduct
6.1 Members shall bring to the attention
of the Executive Director of the Institute evidence of conduct by another member
indicating failure to comply with this Code.
6.2 This evidence will be considered
in accordance with the Procedure for Compliance and its associated notes as
established by Council under the byelaws.
6.3 In considering any allegation
of failure to comply with the Code, the Institute shall not be required to act
judicially and shall have complete discretion as to the extent to which it pursues
any such complaint.
6.4 Where a matter has given rise
to legal proceedings, the Institute may at its sole discretion defer any consideration
under the procedure for compliance until such legal proceedings are completed.
7. Defence of members
7.1 Any Member who claims to have
been victimised, abused or subject to professional discrimination as a result
of compliance with the Code may apply to the Institute for assistance. The Institute
may at its sole discretion provide such assistance as it considers appropriate
for as long as appropriate.
8. Interpretation of this
Code
8.1 If there should be a dispute
as to the interpretation or application of this Code, the Institute and the
members concerned shall immediately seek mediation through the Centre for Dispute
Resolution. Any issue not resolved by mediation shall be referred for determination
by an expert appointed (at the request of either party) by the President of
the Law Society. This expert determination (which is not arbitration) shall
be final and binding and shall itself determine responsibility for payment for
the experts fees.
8.2 This Code applies to all members
regardless of the country in which work is being carried out. Where local standards
of professional conduct are undefined or inadequate, members shall comply with
UK practice or where this is not possible, identify and justify any departures
and assess their significance.
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