A New Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics

IChemE
30th October 2025

Article by Raffaella Ocone OBE FREng FRSE and David Bogle CEng FIChemE

IChemE president Raffaella Ocone and past president David Bogle introduce IChemE’s updated Code of Conduct & Ethics and reveal the thinking behind the changes

THERE are many pressures on chemical engineers – financial, environmental, safety, diversity to name a few – which make regular demands on our ethical and professional responsibilities. But there is also greater scrutiny of our work, particularly given the centrality of chemical engineering to so many aspects of daily life.

We have both served as members of the Engineering Ethics Reference Group, jointly convened by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Engineering Council, where we have discussed the broader consequences for the engineering profession. This led to the publication of Maintaining society’s trust in the engineering profession, a report whose recommended actions are now being taken forward by a range of engineering organisations.

Our deep commitment to ethical standards is highlighted by our presidential addresses. In his, David highlighted the need for high ethical standards to maintain trust and confidence in the chemical engineering profession and to encourage more young people seeking a career that will make a positive impact on society into chemical engineering. Raffaella reemphasised the crucial importance of high ethical standards in her Presidential Address, highlighting the importance of the revised Code and announcing the introduction of Conferral Celebrations for all newly Chartered Members and Fellows, including a reaffirmation of the importance of engineers in behaving ethically at all times.

The Institution’s trustees recently agreed on the need for a more systematic updating of the Code of Professional Conduct to create a progressive and enabling practice and ethical guide for chemical engineers.

Society, and especially young people, are looking to us to develop our resources, environment and industry in a professional and ethical way. The time is now to embed this within our profession

The revised Code is intended to provide confidence and reassurance to colleagues, employers, the public and all users and beneficiaries of chemical engineering services.

Why do we need a code?

You might wonder why a separate Code is necessary if your employer already has one. The answer is simple: many employers – particularly smaller organisations – don’t have a Code of their own. An employer’s Code can be seen as conflicted since it is likely to be framed around their business challenges. Committing to a Code independent of your employer signals alignment with the broader values of the profession and its service to society – extending far beyond the interests of any single organisation. We have seen some cases of companies adhering to their own Codes but being clearly seen by society as not meeting the standards expected. Being a member of IChemE means that you stand by this Code and its values (and the Statement of Ethical Principles). Of course, just because you are a professionally registered engineer doesn’t make you ethical and nor does not being a member mean you are not. But being professionally registered is a public demonstration of commitment to the Code and its values.

For IChemE, the aim is to create a shorter, principles-based Code of Conduct focused on outcomes rather than prescriptive detail. It will be broad and specific enough to be enforceable without seeking to cover every possible scenario. As professional practice continues to evolve, the Code should remain adaptable, setting a clear benchmark for high standards and offering guidance to help colleagues, clients and the public understand how those standards are upheld.

Of the three core IChemE values, only “honesty and integrity” is explicitly reflected in the language of the existing Code of Professional Conduct. The other two – “accountability” and “transparency” – are only implied. There is also a notable gap in supplementary guidance and explanation on how the outgoing Code can be applied to support positive and desirable professional behaviours. The Code’s current position on the website places it second on a list of six documents, three of which concern misconduct directly, and an additional one (the current Code itself) is bracketed with the Disciplinary Regulations which we believe is unhelpful. There is a tacit sense that the existing Code is most concerned with “when things go wrong”. The new Code IChemE is launching will address these weaknesses.

The new Code is now live on the IChemE website, with a copy included with 2026 subscription renewals. There will be guidance added and updated as new issues and ideas emerge. We will be developing a series of real-world exemplars to support chemical engineers confronted with difficult challenges, particularly those early in their careers or with limited experience. We see the Code and its connected guidance and exemplars as a living document. Our moral, professional and ethical standards do change over time – think for example of the changing attitudes to energy use and diversity. If you have a story of a tough professional or ethical challenge and are willing to share it (all exemplars will of course be anonymised) do let us know.

Spreading the word

Together with the launch of this new Code we hope to create a community to help spread the word, to discuss and debate complex and controversial issues, and to provide a sounding board for the challenges of ethical practice in our profession. Society, and especially young people, are looking to us to develop our resources, environment and industry in a professional and ethical way. The time is now to embed this within our profession. There will be plenty of opportunities for your feedback and contributions following the launch in November 2025 – look out for ways to get involved in making the Code a living document, with clear exemplification of how we as a profession can draw on it to help respond to societal and professional changes.