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A/E professional organizations are updating their codes of ethics to address the issues at the forefront of our culture and climate.

Several professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), have recently amended their codes to reflect design professionals’ increased awareness of diversity, harassment and environmental issues.

In 2017, the ASCE adopted a brand-new canon in its to address discrimination. More recently, the AIA board of directors approved an amended that specifically deals with sexual harassment, equity in the profession, and sustainability.

Al Rabasca,AXA XL’s Director of Industry Relations, is pleased to see the professional organizations reexamining and amending their codes of ethics. Rabasca says he’s found design professionals’ actions “second to none, when it comes to treating everyone with dignity and fairness and without discrimination.” However, in the current business atmosphere, and in the interest of raising public awareness of the integrity and dignity of the design professions, he believes it’s good for the groups to codify these aspirations for all to see and follow.

Amending the codes

Generally, changes to codes of ethics are driven by either routine review or by membership initiative.

The AIA’s National Ethics Council chair, Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, NOMA, says the AIA updates its code as needed. Changes to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct must be adopted by the convention of the institute or by a two-thirds vote of the entire Board of Directors,” she says.

According to the NSPE’s Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, Arthur Schwartz, the code is constantly reviewed by the NSPE Board of Ethical Review based on ongoing changes in professional engineering practice as well as other considerations. “The NSPE Board of Ethical Review will identify an issue that needs to be addressed in the Code of Ethics, drafts new language or modifies existing language and then submits a formal recommendation to our Board of Directors,” Schwartz says. “If the Board of Directors agrees with the board of ethical review regarding the need for the change, the proposed language will be presented to the NSPE House of Delegates for final approval.”

For the first time in 50 years, the ASCE is reviewing its code with an eye toward streamlining and updating it to reflect the cultural shifts in society and changes in the industry. President Robin Kemper, quoted in the , says, “Through time, the Code of Ethics has been reworked, things have been added, maybe things have been taken out, but we’ve not looked at it as a whole since 1974.”

In Canada, provincial and territorial engineering and architecture regulators have their own codes of ethics as well as practice standards. See the sidebar, “Resources,” for more information.

Addressing equity and harassment

In the recent amendment to the AIA Code of Ethics, several rules were updated to include language to address harassment and equity in the profession. (The AIA also released a about its commitments to combatting harassment in the workplace and to making the profession more fair and inclusive.)

The 2018 amendment to the Code of Ethics was driven by the membership,” Gilmore says. “The amendment, which started as a resolution, was an expression by the members of their concern. The consensus that the architectural profession had not yet attained the workplace culture that is required.”

The NSPE’s Schwartz says the most recent change to the NSPE Code of Ethics was in July 2019 to add the following language to the section on professional obligations: “Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness and without discrimination.”

The ASCE Board of Direction voted unanimously to adopt Canon 8. Guidelines to the canon read, in part: “Engineers shall, in all matters related to their profession, treat all persons fairly and encourage equitable participation without regard to gender or gender identity, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or family, marital, or economic status.”

Taking on sustainability

Schwartz says the following language was added to the NSPE Code of Ethics section on professional obligations to address sustainability in 2007: “Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generations.” The code defines "sustainable development" as “the challenge of meeting human needs for natural resources, industrial products, energy, food, transportation, shelter, and effective waste management while conserving and protecting environmental quality and the natural resource base essential for future development.”

The AIA had also previously added language that addressed sustainability. But the 2018 amended code goes much further, addressing specific environmental priorities such as water, energy, and climate change. In addition, a new rule has been added so that disciplinary action can be taken against a member who has failed to consider, along with the client, the environmental effects of their project decisions. (Learn more about the new/revised amendments .) In September 2019, the AIA’s board of directors also approved a member-driven “landmark” that defines “immediate and long-term efforts to engage the architectural profession in the fight against climate change.”

In September 2019, the AIA’s board of directors also approved a member-driven “landmark” resolution that defines “immediate and long-term efforts to engage the architectural profession in the fight against climate change.

Member feedback

At the NSPE, Schwartz says the feedback to the changes were “very positive.” The additions of Section III.2.d, “Engineers are encouraged to adhere to the principles of sustainable development in order to protect the environment for future generations,” and III.1.f, “Engineers shall treat all persons with dignity, respect, fairness, and without discrimination,” were approved by the NSPE House of Delegates without dissent, he says.

“The NSPE believes sustainability and environmental stewardship should be a key part of the professional practice for all engineers,” Schwartz says. “In addition, in the practice of professional engineering, it is critically important for professional engineers to oppose discrimination and to respect all persons.”

Gilmore says the AIA’s National Ethics Council hadn’t received any direct or formal feedback regarding the new rules, but that it’s not surprising, given the council’s role. Nor have there been any disciplinary actions under the new amended rules, she says, “but that is also not surprising, as it takes months and sometimes over a year for a case to be adjudicated.” Gilmore says that any pending cases are confidential.

The AIA is committed to broadening equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a stronger profession while empowering architects to design a world that allows people, communities, and our planet to thrive,” Gilmore says. “The AIA Code of Ethics is a reflection of these values.”

Resources

United States:

Canada: