CHAPTER

FUNDAMENTAL CODE OF ETHICS 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Describe a Civil Engineer.
2. Define terms such as: profession, ethics, morality, etc.
3. Describe Engineering Professional Ethics.
4. Discuss the fundamental principles canons, and guidelines in the practice of the civil
engineering profession.

Civil engineering, by its nature, profoundly shapes public safety, environmental

sustainability, and societal development. This makes ethics a cornerstone of the profession,
guiding civil engineers in their technical choices and their moral obligations to clients, the
public, the environment, and the profession. Applied ethics in civil engineering goes beyond
mere compliance; it's about deeply embedding values like honesty, integrity,
accountability, fairness, and respect for human dignity. Civil engineers often face difficult
ethical choices, like whether to approve a design that meets minimum code but poses long-
term environmental risks, or how to handle conflicts of interest. Navigating these situations
requires technical skill and sound ethical judgment rooted in fundamental principles.

1.1 The Civil Engineering Code of Ethics

Fundamental Principles of 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/employees 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.

1.2 The Seven Fundamental Canons of Civil Engineering

In the practice of Civil Engineering, it is vital to uphold the guidelines and important
principles of integrity and professionalism.
1. Civil Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and
shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the
performance of their duties.
2. Civil Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
3. Civil Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
4. Civil Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Civil Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services
and shall not compete unfairly with others.
6. Civil Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor,
integrity, and dignity of the civil engineering profession.
7. Civil Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their
careers, and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those
civil engineers under their supervision.
1.3 Guidelines for Ethical Practice Under the Fundamental Canons

The practice of engineering carries immense responsibility. Our work directly impacts public
safety, the environment, and the well-being of society. As such, adhering to the highest ethical
standards isn't just a recommendation, it's a professional imperative. These Guidelines to
Practice Under the Fundamental Canons of Ethics are designed to help you navigate the
complex moral and professional dilemmas that arise in your daily work, ensuring that your
decisions consistently uphold the integrity of our profession.

Canon 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public and
shall strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of
their professional duties.

a. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health, and welfare of the general public are
dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions, and practices incorporated into
structures, machines, products, processes, and devices.

b. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by
them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare in conformity with
accepted engineering standards.

c. Engineers whose professional judgment is overruled under circumstances where the safety,
health and welfare of the public are endangered, or the principles of sustainable development
ignored, shall inform their clients or employers of the possible consequences.

d. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in
violation of any of the provisions of Canon 1 shall present such information to the proper
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further
information or assistance as may be required.

e. Engineers should seek opportunities to be of constructive service in civic affairs and work
for the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of their communities, and the
protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.

f. Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adhering to the principles

of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general public.
Canon 2. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.

a. Engineers shall undertake to perform engineering assignments only when qualified by

education or experience in the technical field of engineering involved.

b. Engineers may accept an assignment requiring education or experience outside of their

own fields of competence, provided their services are restricted to those phases of the project
in which they are qualified. All other phases of such project shall be performed by qualified
associates, consultants, or employees.

c. Engineers shall not affix their signatures or seals to any engineering plan or document
dealing with subject matter in which they lack competence by virtue of education or
experience or to any such plan or document not reviewed or prepared under their supervisory
control.

Canon 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.

a. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering.

b. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements, or testimony.

They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or
testimony.

c. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only
when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical
competence, and honest conviction.

d. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters that

are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the
statements are made.

e. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid
any act tending to promote their interests at the expense of the integrity, honor, and dignity
of the profession.

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Canon 4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful
agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.

a. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association,
interests, or circumstances that could influence their judgment or the quality of their services.

b. Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the
same project, or for services about the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed to and agreed to by all interested parties.

c. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for
which they are responsible.

d. Engineers in public service as members, advisors, or employees of a governmental body or

department shall not participate in considerations or actions concerning services solicited or
provided by them or their organization in private or public engineering practice.

e. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.

f. Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of

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g. Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or
interest without the knowledge of their employers.

Canon 5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and
shall not compete unfairly with others.

a. Engineers shall not give, solicit, or receive either directly or indirectly, any political
contribution, gratuity, or unlawful consideration to secure work, exclusive of securing salaried
positions through employment agencies.

b. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and based on
demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required.

c. Engineers may request, propose, or accept professional commissions on a contingent basis

only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised.

d. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional

qualifications or experience.

e. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and
shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the
person or persons who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings, or other
accomplishments.

f. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading
language or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession. Examples of
permissible advertising are as follows:

• Professional cards in recognized, dignified publications, and listings in rosters or

directories published by responsible organizations, provided that the cards or listings are
consistent in size and content and are in a section of the publication regularly devoted to such
professional cards.
• Brochures which factually describe experience, facilities, personnel and capacity to
render service, providing they are not misleading with respect to the engineer's participation
in projects described.
• Display advertising in recognized dignified business and professional publications,
providing it is factual and is not misleading with respect to the engineer's extent of
participation in projects described.
• A statement of the engineers' names or the name of the firm and statement of the
type of service posted on projects for which they render services.
• Preparation or authorization of descriptive articles for the lay or technical press,
which are factual and dignified. Such articles shall not imply anything more than direct
participation in the project described.
• Permission by engineers for their names to be used in commercial advertisements,
such as may be published by contractors, material suppliers, etc., only by means of a modest,
dignified notation acknowledging the engineers' participation in the project described. Such
permission shall not include public endorsement of proprietary products.

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g. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of another engineer or indiscriminately
criticize another's work.
h. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, laboratory, or office facilities of their
employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their employers.

Canon 6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity,
and dignity of the engineering profession and shall act with zero-tolerance for bribery, fraud,
and corruption.
a. Engineers shall not knowingly engage in business or professional practices of a fraudulent,
dishonest, or unethical nature.
b. Engineers shall be scrupulously honest in their control and spending of monies, and
promote effective use of resources through open, honest, and impartial service with fidelity
to the public, employers, associates, and clients.
c. Engineers shall act with zero tolerance for bribery, fraud, and corruption in all engineering
or construction activities in which they are engaged.
d. Engineers should be especially vigilant to maintain appropriate ethical behavior where
payments of gratuities or bribes are institutionalized practices.
e. Engineers should strive for transparency in the procurement and execution of projects.
Transparency includes disclosure of names, addresses, purposes, and fees or commissions
paid for all agents facilitating projects.
f. Engineers should encourage the use of certifications specifying zero-tolerance for bribery,
fraud, and corruption in all contracts.

Canon 7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers,
and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.
a. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and
attending professional meetings and seminars.
b. Engineers should encourage their engineering employees to become registered at the
earliest possible date.
c. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.
d. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers
and employees with respect to terms of employment, including professional grade
descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.

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Summary
This chapter presented and explained the fundamental ethical canons guiding the practice of
the Civil Engineering profession. It specifically includes the following principles:
1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public
• Civil engineers must prioritize public safety, even above the interests of employers or
clients.
2. Perform services only in areas of their competence
• Engineers should accept assignments only if they are qualified by education or
experience in that specific field.
3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner
• All professional communications should be honest and free from bias or
misrepresentation.
4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees
• Engineers must be loyal, keep confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest when
serving clients or employers.
5. Avoid deceptive acts
• Bribery, fraud, or any form of deception in professional practice is strictly prohibited.
6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully
• Engineers should uphold integrity and respect for the profession and society.
7. Continue their professional development throughout their careers
• Lifelong learning is expected to stay updated with advances in civil engineering and to
mentor younger professionals.

References:

1. Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. 2003. Manual of Professional Practice for
Civil Engineers, 2nd Edition. Manila: Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc.

2. ASCE Code of Ethics

[Link]
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