The
Chemist's Code of Conduct
The American
Chemical Society expects its members to adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Indeed, the federal Charter of the Society (1937) explicitly lists among its
objectives "the improvement of the qualifications and usefulness of
chemists through high standards of professional ethics, education and
attainments...".
Chemists have professional obligations to the public, to colleagues, and to
science. One expression of these obligations is embodied in "The Chemist's
Creed," approved by the ACS Council in 1965. the principles of conduct
enumerated below are intended to replace "The Chemist's Creed". They
were prepared by the Council Committee on Professional Relations, approved by
the Council (March 16, 1994), and adopted by the Board of Directors (June 3,
1994) for the guidance of society members in various professional dealings,
especially those involving conflicts of interest.
Chemists
Acknowledge Responsibilities To:
- The Public
Chemists have a professional responsibly to serve the public
interest and welfare and to further knowledge of science. Chemists should
actively be concerned with the health and welfare of co-workers, consumer
and the community. Public comments on scientific matters should be made with
care and precision, without unsubstantiated, exaggerated, or premature
statements.
- The Science of Chemistry
Chemists should seek to advance chemical science, understand the
limitations of their knowledge, and respect the truth. Chemists should
ensure that their scientific contributions, and those of the collaborators,
are thorough, accurate, and a unbiased in design, implementation, and
presentation.
- The Profession
Chemists should remain current with developments in their field,
share ideas and information, keep accurate and complete laboratory records,
maintain integrity in all conduct and publications, and give due credit to
the contributions of others. Conflicts of interest and scientific
misconduct, such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and
incompatible with this Code.
- The Employer
Chemists should promote and protect the legitimate interests of
their employers, perform work honestly and competently, fulfill obligations,
and safeguard proprietary information.
- Employees
Chemists, as employers, should treat subordinates with respect for
their professionalism and concern for their well-being, and provide them
with a safe, congenial working environment, fair compensation, and proper
acknowledgment of their scientific contributions.
- Students
Chemists should regard the tutelage of students as a trust conferred
by society for the promotion of the student's learning and professional
development. Each student should be treated respectfully and without
exploitation.
- Associates
Chemists should treat associates with respect, regardless of the
level of their formal education, encourage them, learn with them, share
ideas honestly, and give credit for their contributions.
- Clients
Chemists should serve clients faithfully and incorruptibly, respect
confidentiality, advise honestly, and charge fairly.
- The Environment
Chemists should understand and anticipate the environmental
consequences of their work. Chemists have responsibility to avoid pollution
and to protect the environment.
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