The Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) have relaunched their Statement of Ethical Principles, providing a refreshed framework to guide ethical behaviour and decision-making across all engineering disciplines.
First introduced in 2005, and updated in 2017, the Statement has now been revised to reflect the changing technological landscape and the new challenges faced by engineering professionals today. It takes into account developments in professional practice, wider technological trends, and society’s evolving expectations of engineers.
The Statement’s five fundamental principles are designed to apply to all engineering professionals and form the foundation of the specific codes of conduct established by the individual professional engineering institutions (PEIs):
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Honesty and integrity – maintaining trustworthiness in all professional actions
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Responsibility to society – considering the broader social impact of engineering work
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Accuracy and rigour – ensuring technical precision and robust decision-making
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Leadership and communication – guiding teams effectively and clearly conveying information
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Responsibility for the future of technology, society, and the environment – taking a proactive approach to sustainable and ethical innovation
The refreshed Statement was developed through extensive consultation with engineering professionals and experts in applied ethics. It is intended to guide engineers at every stage of their careers - from apprentices and students to senior leaders - and encourages employers, education providers, and training institutions to integrate these principles into curricula and professional development programmes.
By promoting these principles, the Engineering Council and RAEng aim to strengthen public trust and ensure that engineering continues to be recognised as a responsible, ethical, and trusted profession.
The Statement of Ethical Principles is now available to all professional engineers, employers, and educators to adopt or reference in their practice HERE