Professional Code of Conduct for Qualified Members

Introduction

Any learned profession is founded on the principle that its members may be relied upon to conduct their work in a manner that will reflect credit on themselves and honour to their profession. Although this principle is universally understood, its importance is, more usually, recognised in cases of professional misconduct. It is therefore necessary that every learned profession should define, and enforce among its members, strict rules of professional conduct. To this end, the following Code of Professional Conduct, as approved by Council, is issued to all qualified members (LTIs, ATIs and FTIs) of The Textile Institute.

The Code

1. Qualified Members of The Textile Institute are expected to carry out their professional work in accordance with this Code.

2. Qualified Members of The Textile Institute (Fellows, Associates or Licentiates) acting professionally:

2.1 Shall observe the following Charge, which is read by the President at Convocation before newly elected Fellows, Associates and Licentiates in attendance: 'Fellows, Associates and Licentiates of The Textile Institute, you have just been publicly recognised as members of an honourable and chartered profession. I charge you now to maintain the dignity of that profession, not least by keeping abreast of advances in your chosen field. Cultivate the spirit of enquiry and experiment, and endeavour to contribute to the life and development of your profession'.

2.2 Shall conduct themselves in such a way that their honesty and integrity are beyond reproach, and shall not knowingly make false or misleading claims or irresponsible statements. They shall, in particular, be aware of potential conflicts of interest that may arise through personal relationships, financial involvement or acceptance of any gift or favour or hospitality. Where such conflicts of interest are likely to arise, a proper disclosure of such shall be made, and, where necessary, appropriate steps shall be taken to disengage themselves from the circumstances or assignment occasioning the conflict.

2.3 Shall not maliciously or recklessly injure the professional reputation of another person.

2.4 Shall not accept professional obligations that they believe they have not sufficient competence to perform, or that those for whom they have responsibility might not have the competence to perform.

2.5 Shall accept due responsibility for all work done by them or under their direct supervision.

2.6 Shall, when called upon to give an opinion in their professional capacity, give an opinion which is objective and reliable to the best of their ability.

2.7 Shall, when their advice is not accepted, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the person (or persons) overruling or neglecting their advice is (or are) aware of any possible danger or adverse consequences which they believe may result from such overruling or neglect.

2.8 Shall take all reasonable care in their work to minimise the risk of injury to any person, including themselves, and to prevent damage to property.

2.9 Shall respect all relevant laws, statutory regulations and customs relating to products, processes and intellectual property, such as patents and copyright, and take proper cognisance of appropriate national, European and International standards.

2.10 Shall not (except under due process of law) communicate to any person or publish any information communicated to them in confidence either as an individual, or as a member of a group, including a committee, by a client or employer, without the express authority of that client or employer.

3. Qualified Members should be prepared to take reasonable steps to improve the education and professional competence of themselves and persons whom they may influence and, in particular, candidates for Qualified Membership of The Textile Institute.

4. In providing evidence of a professional kind, Qualified Members should state the following:'I, ..............., holding the education qualification of ..............., am a Qualified Member and a Fellow/Associate/Licentiate of The Textile Institute, a body incorporated by Royal Charter'.

5. In the discharge of their duties, and in the interpretation of this Code, Qualified Members should remain mindful of the provisions of the Institute's Charter and Byelaws relating to professional conduct, and in particular Article 10 of the Supplemental Charter of the Institute.

Note 1

Where the law, custom or practice in a country proves incompatible with this Code, the member concerned should inform The Textile Institute. Being an international body, the Institute may seek to remedy situations of conflict by advising its members of custom and practice accepted in other countries.

Note 2: Supplemental Charter

A member shall be liable to be excluded from membership or to be suspended for any period not exceeding two years from membership or to be reprimanded or severely reprimanded by a Resolution of the Council if they have been guilty of any act or default discreditable to the profession of a Chartered Textile Technologist or to a member of the Institute.

Note 3

It is emphasised that although a breach of the terms of the Code will not necessarily, and of itself, amount to a disciplinary offence, a breach would nevertheless be carefully considered in any deliberations of the Council or the Professional Status Committee when considering disciplinary matters.