Code-of-Conduct (notes for bylaw 9)

CODE OF ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

STANDARD 1 — COMPETENCE

• Registrants must maintain sufficient knowledge, skill, and ability to address relevant matters.

  • Practise only in fields where professionally competent

  • Maintain competence: Stay updated with advances in forestry and relevant science.

  • Provide accurate qualifications: Detail qualifications and experience clearly.

STANDARD 2 — INDEPENDENCE

• Registrants must exhibit objectivity and professional independence in practice.

  • Uphold the public interest: Prioritize professional principles over personal gain.

  • Differentiate facts, assumptions, and opinions: Offer clear professional opinions.

  • Identify contributors: Clearly state who contributed to professional work.

  • Confidentiality: Do not disclose confidential information without consent, except as legally required.

  • Present consequences clearly: Inform employers and clients of potential outcomes of overruling professional advice.

STANDARD 3 — CONFLICT OF INTEREST

• Registrants must avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest.

  • Disclosure: Properly disclose conflicts, including perceived ones.

  • Resolution: Take appropriate actions to mitigate identified conflicts.

  • Bias prevention: Ensure that decisions and recommendations are unbiased.

STANDARD 4 — DUE DILIGENCE

• Registrants must conduct work with constant and careful attention.

  • Work completion: Ensure work is complete, correct, and clear.

  • Measurable work: Provide professional work that is verifiable.

  • Compliance: Adhere to law and regulations relevant to forestry in British Columbia and beyond.

  • Adhere to standards: Follow established professional standards and practices.

  • Documentation: Undertake work with due diligence in accordance with standardized guidance.

STANDARD 5 — INTEGRITY

• Registrants must conduct themselves honorably to sustain professional integrity.

  • Inspire confidence: Maintain high standards daily.

  • Avoid undignified communication: Refrain from unprofessional public statements.

  • Accurate representation: Do not misrepresent facts.

STANDARD 6 — FOREST STEWARDSHIP

• Registrants must aim to improve forest stewardship practices.

  • Understand objectives: Clearly grasp the land/resource use objectives.

  • Responsible resource use: Uphold and practice ecological understanding at all forestry levels.

  • Raising concerns: Discuss identified detrimental practices respectfully with other registrants.

STANDARD 7 — SAFETY

• Registrants must maintain safe work practices for all involved.

  • Safety paramount: Focus on the health and welfare of the public and workplace safety.

STANDARD 8 — PROFESSIONALISM

• Registrants provide professional services and act respectfully.

  • Promote forestry knowledge: Use truthful statements to inform the public on forestry.

  • Avoid harmful criticism: Do not unfairly criticize other registrants' work.

  • Contribute to knowledge advancement: Help improve scientific and professional forestry knowledge.

  • Conscience in services: Be conscientious in providing professional services.

  • Raise concerns respectfully: Address issues of professional competence or misconduct appropriately.

  • Respect regulatory processes: Cooperate with FPBC regulatory processes without intimidation.

  • Compliance with undertakings: Abide by agreements and orders given under FPBC regulations.

STANDARD 9 — REPORTING

• Registrants are required to report significant risks to the public or environment.

  • Report breaches: Notify FPBC of anyone whose forestry practices pose risk of harm.

  • Report other profession issues: Inform appropriate authorities regarding risks from other regulated professions.

  • Concern reporting: Report concerns about other registrants when direct resolution is not possible.

RESPONSIBILITY

• All Forest Professionals BC registrants must adhere to the Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct.

• The practice safeguards public interest by balancing societal values assigned to British Columbia's forests while maintaining accountability.