2020.02 revised

Code of Ethics
 
The members (hereinafter referred to as “Members”) of the Society for Instrument and Control Engineers (hereinafter referred to as ”SICE”) are proud to produce innovations in science and technology through the pursuit of truth and meeting of unforeseen challenges in their field; to support society and the activities of people; and to contribute to the promotion of human welfare and the development of society. Members shall recognize their serious social role and responsibility; act faithfully, with honor and dignity; develop their expertise, skills, and integrity; and strive for the enhancement of the safety, health, and welfare of human beings, and for the realization of a society that coexists with nature. To this end, Members shall endeavor to be honest and unbiased, follow laws and regulations, and act conscientiously. SICE itself recognizes its social role and supports Members giving priority to the public interest as well as consideration to social accountability that became increasingly important after the Great East Japan Earthquake. To fulfill these missions, SICE established the following Code of Conduct, to fulfill these missions and be diligent in the dignified enhancement of expertise and social responsibility.
 
Code of Conduct
 
I Basic Responsibility of Members
Responsibility
1. Members shall recognize that they are responsible for assuring the quality of the specialized knowledge and skills that they themselves create. They shall contribute, by using their expert knowledge, skills, and experience, to the benefit of the health and welfare of humankind, the safety and security of society, and the Sustainable Development Goals(SDCs) adopted by all United Nations member states. In view of the possibility that their technology might engender a risk, they shall first prioritize safety in their actions, and shall strive to enhance a sense of security based on appropriate disclosure.
 
Conduct
2. Members shall always make judgments and act with honesty and integrity, endeavoring to maintain and improve their own expertise, abilities and skills, and shall make the utmost effort to scientifically and objectively demonstrate the accuracy and validity of the knowledge they create through scientific and technological research.
 
Members in Society
3. Members shall recognize that scientific autonomy is upheld by public trust and the mandate of the people, understand the relationships between science, technology, society, and the natural environment from a wide-ranging perspective, and act in an appropriate manner.
 
Research and Development
4. Members shall recognize that they are responsible for answering to the wishes of society to investigate into truths and to achieve various issues. When using research funds that are to be provided for establishing the research environment and for conducting research, Members shall always recognize that such broad social expectations exist.
 
Accountability and Disclosure
5. Members shall strive to disclose and actively explain the roles and significance of their own research, and evaluate the possible effects of their research on people, society and the environment, as well as the changes that their research might engender. They shall neutrally and objectively disclose the results of this evaluation and facilitate a constructive dialogue with society.
 
Dual Use of Scientific Research Outcomes
6. Members shall recognize that there exist possibilities that their research results, contrary to their own intentions, may be used for destructive actions, and shall select appropriate means and methods as allowed by society in conducting research and publicizing the results.

II Fair Research and Development

(Research Activities)
7. Members shall act with integrity according to the spirit of this Code of Conduct in drafting, planning, applying for, implementing, and reporting their own research. By reporting their research results through such means as papers, Members shall take responsibility as well as obtaining recognition for their achievements in accordance with the role that they played. Members shall ensure that research and survey data are recorded, stored and rigorously handled, and not only refrain themselves from any misconduct such as fabrication, falsification or plagiarism, but also refrain from aiding or abetting such misconduct.
 
(Establishing Sound Research Environments and Thorough Educational Enlightenment)
8. Members shall recognize that establishing and maintaining fair research and development environments, where responsible research can be conducted, is one of their important duties, and shall work continuously to improve the quality of research environments in the scientific community and their own institutions, and toward educational enlightenment preventing misconduct. Moreover, they shall also seek the understanding and cooperation of the public in achieving these goals.

Consideration for Research Subjects
9. Members shall respect the dignity and rights of individuals who cooperate in their research and shall safeguard and give proper consideration to their welfare. They shall also treat animals and other research subjects with due care and respect.

Relation with Others
10. Members shall constructively criticize the results of other scientists’ and engineers’ research, humbly listen to the criticism of others, and exchange opinions with an attitude of sincerity. Moreover, they shall properly give credit to other scientists’ and engineers’ intellectual findings and achievements, as well as respect the honor and intellectual property rights of others. They shall also participate actively in mutual assessment among members of the scientific and engineering community, particularly in their field of expertise.

Ⅲ SICE Technologies in Society

Dialog with Society
11. Members shall participate actively in dialogue and exchange with citizens, for better mutual understanding between society and the scientific community. As well, in order to resolve various issues and realize welfare in society, they shall also work to provide scientific and technological advice effective for policy making to persons involved in the planning and determination of policies. On such occasions, Members shall aim to give advice based on consensus among Members, and, when differences of opinion exist, shall offer explanations that are easy to understand.

Scientific and technological advice
12. Members shall conduct research activities with the objective of contributing to public welfare, and offer fair advice based on objective and scientific and technological evidence. At that time, they shall be aware of the gravity of the impact and of their responsibility that their statements may make on public opinion building and policy making, and shall not abuse their authority. As well, Members shall make maximum efforts to ensure quality in their scientific and technological advice, and at the same time clearly explain the uncertainty associated with scientific and technological knowledge as well as the diversity of opinions.

Scientific and Technological Advice to Policy Planners and Decision Makers
13. When Members offer scientific and technological advice to persons who plan or decide on policy, they shall recognize that while scientific and technological knowledge is something to be duly respected in the process of creating policy, it is not the only basis on which policy decisions are made. In the event that a policy decision is made that diverges from the advice of Members’ community, they shall request, as necessary, accountability to society from the policy planner and/or decision maker.

IV Legal Compliance

14. Members shall observe all laws, regulations, and relevant rules in their activities, including the implementation of research and the use of research funds.

Rejection of Discrimination
15. In their research and development activities, Members shall respond to others fairly on a scientific and technological basis, respect individual freedom and character, and not discriminate against individuals based on race, gender, status, ideology and beliefs, or religion.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
16. In their research and development, reviews, evaluations, judgments, scientific and technological advice, and other activities, Members shall pay sufficient heed to the presence of conflicts of interest between individuals and organizations, or between different organizations, and shall properly address problems in accordance with public interest.

Revision History:
2014.09 Approved by SICE Board of Directors
2020.02 Approved by SICE Board of Directors

SICE Code of Ethics (PDF)