Codes of ethics and professional conduct

Code of Ethics

1. Every member shall uphold the integrity of the profession
2. Every member shall strive for increasing an objective knowledge of trees and of arboriculture in all their contexts and apply this knowledge to the benefit of society
3. Every member shall endeavour to promote public understanding of trees and arboriculture and to increase the public regard for the profession
4. Every member shall practise his or her profession with due regard to sound ecological, social, economic and environmental principles to the advantage of present and future generations
5. Every member shall perform only those services which are within the member’s competence

Code of Professional Conduct

1. A member shall not voluntarily disclose any confidential information
2. Unless a member has previously obtained in writing the permission of the relevant client or employer, a member shall not be engaged by, not have an interest in nor accept remuneration from any other business or principals which may give rise to any conflict with the interests of the member’s said client or employer
3. A member shall only act for more than one party in any transaction if all parties agree in advance in writing
4. A member acting for a client shall inform the client in advance in writing of any other interest the member may have in any activities undertaken on behalf of the client
5. A member shall not, by unfair or unprofessional means, do anything that could harm the business or prospects of a fellow member
6. A member shall not knowingly investigate the professional competence of another member without the knowledge of that member
7. A member shall be scrupulous in acknowledging the help obtained from others
8. A member shall ensure that advertisements and other public announcements placed or made by the member are fair and accurate and are not such as could reasonably be seen to bring the Association or the profession into disrepute
9. Advertisements and other public announcements relating to the scope or nature of the services to be provided by a member shall not contain any material which compares the member’s services with the services offered or provided by any other member or members

The assistance of the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the development of these Codes is acknowledged and appreciated.

Complaints against an Arboricultural Association Member

If you have a complaint against one of our members you can download our complaints procedure document here.