Engineers Ireland has launched a revised version of its Code of Ethics, effective 1 February 2023.

Engineers Ireland is the progressive and trusted voice of the engineering profession in Ireland, representing more than 25,000 members from every discipline of engineering. We ensure that the competence and ethical standards of our profession are world class, and it is therefore essential that our members have a clearly defined Code of Ethics to ensure that they behave with integrity and objectivity in their relationships with the public and to use their professional skill.

As part of Engineers Ireland's Membership Regulations, all members must meet the standards of ethics and conduct set out in the Code of Ethics. Having undertaken a review of the governance of the Institution, Engineers Ireland decided it was timely to review the Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics (2023) sets out how members must act at all times with fairness, courtesy and good faith toward all persons with whom the member has professional dealings, and in accordance with the public good. A member’s obligations to the client can never override their responsibility to the public good, and members of Engineers Ireland should not enter undertakings which compromise this responsibility. Members must uphold the values of truth, honesty, trustworthiness, and safeguard human life and welfare, and the environment.

Engineering is integral to modern life, from the production of medicines and biomedical devices to the design of buildings and infrastructure, and the development of computerised networks on which our society depends. It is a profession requiring a high standard of scientific education together with specialised training, formation and experience. As such, an appropriate Code of Ethics is a key characteristic of the professional practitioner. Adherence to the Engineers Ireland Code of Ethics is an essential part of membership. A falling short of the expected standard can result in suspension or erasure from our Register of Engineers.

Where the Code of Ethics (2018) combined both the conduct expected of members and the disciplinary procedures for instances where such conduct was not upheld, the Code of Ethics (2023) is a standalone document defining the conduct and behaviours expected of members. It is accompanied by Disciplinary Procedures for Breaches of the Code of Ethics (2023) which outlines the process to be followed in the event a member is accused of not adhering to the Code.

Members are expected to familiarise themselves with the revised Code of Ethics and the associated disciplinary procedures for breaches of this code, available here.