Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

Civil Engineering is a profession that has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by civil engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.

Fundamental Principles

Civil engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the civil engineering profession by:

1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the environment;
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 civil engineering profession; and
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines.

Fundamental Canons

The following are the Canons of the PICE Code of Ethics:

Guidelines to Practice

Relations with the Public

• Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony.
• Engineers shall not express a professional opinion publicly unless it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts and a competent evaluation of the subject matter.
• Engineers shall not issue statements on technical matters which are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the statements are made.

Relations with Clients and Employers

• Engineers shall disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest to their employers or clients.
• Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, 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.
• Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or other valuable considerations, directly or indirectly, from outside agents in connection with the work for which they are responsible.

Relations with Other Engineers

• Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of another engineer, nor indiscriminately criticize another's work.
• Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of an employer to carry on outside private practice without consent.