FCSI Code of Ethics

The Food Facilities Design and Management Advisory Professions require men and women of undoubted integrity, experience, business responsibility and judgment. A consultant's honesty of purpose and loyalty to the client must be above question. As a professional advisor to the client, and as one whose acts affect the public health and safety, the consultant's advice must be unprejudiced. A consultant has ethical responsibilities to professional associates and employees. These duties and responsibilities require that motives, conduct and ability are such as to command respect and confidence.

Therefore each Consultant Member of FCSI pledges to:

1. Provide the client with the best possible service.
2. Act in a professional manner to inspire the confidence, respect and trust of the client and of the public.
3. Strive to make clear to the public that the primary considerations in selection of a consultant should be the ability and competence to provide the required services.
4. Undertake only that work which the consultant is competent to perform by reason of training, education, experience or association with other professionals.
5. Safeguard confidential information and data whether supplied by a client or prepared by the consultant.
6. Recognize that at times the consultant will forego personal gain to uphold honor and serve the general good of the public.
7. Accept payment only from the client. Payment shall be based upon the work and not be refundable or deductible from equipment, material or supply purchases.
8. Advise the client of any fees or royalties that will be or have been accepted by the Member for which a copyright or patent is held relating to any product or service that may be used by the client.
9. Advise the client of any financial or other interest that the consultant may have in a supplier or manufacturer whose product is specified for the project under development.
10. Issue no publicity with regard to the client's confidential information related to the project without full approval from the client.
11. Refrain from making deceptive or false statements about the consultant's own professional qualifications, experience or performance in brochures, correspondence, listings, advertisements or other communications.
12. Not use or permit the use of the Society's name, initials or seal to imply endorsement of any product or service.
13. Protect the good name of the Society.