1. 1. Engineers shall not undertake technical assignments for which they are not qualified by education or experience." To do so would be "faking it." This would be unfair, since the quality of the work would be inferior. Engineer's Obligation to Employers/Clients By applying the codes of ethics, an engineer earns the trust and respect of his clients and employer.

2. 2. Engineers shall approve or seal only those plans or designs that deal with subjects in which they are competent and which have been prepared under their direct control and supervision." To profess confidence in a project or product with which one is unfamiliar would be dishonest and potentially dangerous should any problems arise with that product 3. Engineers may coordinate an entire project provided that each design component is signed or sealed by the engineer responsible for that design component." This is an elaboration on the previous rule.

3. 4. Engineers shall not reveal professional information without the prior consent of the employer or client except as authorized or required by law." Such "professional information" does not belong to the engineer, but rather to the client or employer. Thus, disclosure of this information would be like giving away something that does not belong to you. 5. Engineers shall not solicit or accept valuable considerations, financial or otherwise, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their agents, or other parties while performing work for employers or clients." This is commonly known as bribery or conflict of interest.

4. 6. Engineers shall disclose to their employers or clients potential conflicts of interest or any other circumstances that could influence or appear to influence their professional judgment or the quality of their service." Both clients and employers have a right to know of these things. It is also in the best interest of the engineer's professional reputation to make these things known. 7. An engineer shall not accept financial or other compensation from more than one party for services rendered on one project unless the details are fully disclosed and agreed to by all parties concerned." This would be an obvious case of conflict of interest.

5. 8. To avoid conflicts of interest, engineers shall not solicit or accept a professional contract from a governmental body on which a principal or officer of their firm serves as a member. An engineer who is a principal or employee of a private firm and who serves as a member of a governmental body shall not participate in decisions relating to the professional services solicited or provided by the firm to the governmental body." Another case of conflict of interest.