Each scientist has to abide by the Code of Conduct of their professional body (which holds their registration). These will differ between professional bodies but will all include common themes.
For our professional scientists, their core obligation is to the public interest, but there are also obligations to employers, clients, their professional body and the profession as a whole.
If you believe a professionally registered scientist has behaved unethically, you need to contact the professional body through which the scientist is registered. This information is available on the Science Council’s Professional Register.
Both the code of conduct and the details of the process to raise a complaint should be readily found on the website of each of our licensed professional bodies.
The Science Council Model Rules of Conduct for Registrants
Registrants will agree to be bound by the code of professional conduct of their Licensed Body as well as by the Science Council Model Rules of Conduct for Registrants which state that:
Registrants must:
Exercise their professional skills and judgement to the best of their ability and discharge their professional responsibilities with integrity, serving as an example to others.
Undertake appropriate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and be able to demonstrate this to others.
Do all in their power to ensure that their professional activities do not put the health and safety of others at risk.
Minimise their impact on the environment including encouraging the fair and sustainable use of resources.
Treat others with respect and encourage equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) including embedding EDI within their work.
Further the interests of and maintain the dignity and welfare of their Licensed Body and profession.
When called upon to give a professional opinion, do so with objectivity and reliability.
Never engage in corrupt practice.
Have regard at all times to the public interest.
