Having studied the background to professional codes we are in a position to review the structure and contents of a selection of existing codes. There is a great proliferation of codes from almost every institution and professional body throughout the United Kingdom and the world and so in keeping with the spirit of this book we will confine ourselves to looking at engineering codes from the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

Appended to this chapter is a selection of seven such codes:

1. Guidelines for Institution Codes of Conduct. Engineering Council (EC UK))

2. Statement of Ethical Principles. Royal Academy of Engineers (RAE UK)

3. Code of professional conduct. Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE UK)

4. Code of Ethics. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE USA)

5. Code of Ethics. The Institution of Engineers, Australia (IEA Aus)

6. Code of Ethics. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE USA)

7. The California Contractor's Code of Ethics (CC USA)

Reference will also be made to other codes as appropriate.

An initial review shows that codes in A, B, C, D and E are broadly of the same form. F is a shorter and more businesslike code. G is included as a comparator a 'nonprofessional' organization of contractors simply setting out their intentions in everyday dealings with their clients

EC UK suggests a code of practice that should be placed as a personal obligation to the members of the engineering institutions in the...