Last Updated at AGM 10th July 2007.

1. This Code of Professional Conduct (The Code) is intended to assist members by defining conduct which could lead to suspension or loss of membership of the Institute under Bye-Law 10.

We will not accept into membership any person who immediately on becoming a member would breach any of the conditions of the Code of Professional Conduct and could lead to their suspension or loss of membership.

2. Definitions:- For the purposes of the Code:-
   
3. 'Member' shall include all categories of membership, as defined in the Articles of Association and the Bye-laws and all terms and expressions used shall have the meaning assigned to them by the Memorandum of Association and those Articles and Bye-laws.
   'Misconduct' shall include any action that is contrary to the professional standards expected of a Member, such as honesty, integrity, competence, respect for peoples rights, social responsibility and particularly making any unjustified statement that may reflect on the character or integrity of others.
   'Professional matter' shall include anything done in connection with a Members work, employment or Institute role.
   
4. The Code shall be binding on all members. Members shall signify that they subscribe to the Code by signing the membership application form.
   
5. The Code may be amended from time to time. By the approval of the membership at an Annual General Meeting by a simple majority of those present by virtue of Bye-Law 10 (3) and a decision of Council on the powers, duties, procedures and composition of the Professional Conduct Committee by virtue of Bye-Law 10 (2).
   
6. The aims and the objectives of the Institute. As set out in the Memorandum of Association, the Articles of Association and Bye-laws, the Code of Professional Conduct, Equal Opportunities Policy and the E Mail Protocol, together with any other agreed policy documents shall be supported and promoted by the conduct of every Member.
   
7. Copies of all relevant documents will be brought to the attention of new members at the time of joining and a current copy of each will be posted on the Institutes website especially TS Courier and will be made available by electronic mail if requested.
   
8. Each member owes their first duty of allegiance in all individual professional matters to their employer or themselves if self employed and should fulfil that duty to the highest professional standards.
   
9. If a conflict arises between the requirements of an employer and the aims and objectives of the Institute, the member shall notify the Honorary Secretary, in writing, of the grounds of such conflict. The Honorary Secretary may refer that conflict to the Professional Conduct Committee for advice and possible arbitration.
   
10. A member shall bring to the attention of their employer, through their Chief/Senior Officer, the implications or effect of any trading standards matter which they know, or which they have reason to believe, will adversely affect either their responsibilities, duties or other interests of their employer.
    10. A Member shall not do anything which would be considered to be misconduct or which could bring the Institute or its Members into disrepute on any professional matter or which could be detrimental to the aims and objectives or good standing of the Institute. Nor shall they by failing to act themselves or by failing to report the actions of other Members allow or condone misconduct or a failure to uphold those same aims, objectives or good standing of the Institute.
    
11. A Member shall inform the Honorary Secretary of any impending civil or criminal proceedings or action involving themselves that may bring their character or professional standing into question.
    
12. A member shall not represent or purport to represent the Institute or knowingly permit themselves to be so represented unless authorised to do so and in particular shall ensure that where they are representing another organisation or body on trading standards matters that other body is clearly identified. It should be recognised that when dealing with the media extra care should be taken to ensure that correct titles and organisations are quoted.
    
13. A member shall be conscious of the confidential and personal nature of information which they receive both in discharging their duties and as a member of the Institute. They shall at all times protect the confidential and personal nature of such information, whether or not such protection is provided by statute, and shall not use that information for any unjustifiable purpose.
    
14. Subject to any constraints of this Code. A member shall make all reasonable efforts to assist fellow members, and wherever possible within legal limitations, shall share information and expertise which may be of assistance in the proper performance of their statutory duties, or which will best serve the objectives and interests of the Institute.
    
15. Subject to the constraints of this Code, it shall be the duty of every member to inform the appropriate officer of the Institute of any matters affecting or likely to affect the Institute where that member believes the information may not be known to that officer.
    
16. Where a member is employed by a public authority they shall avoid any action which may prejudice the acceptance of their impartial advice and shall uphold the law relating to their duties so that at no time shall their integrity be questioned. In particular, a member should not accept any preferential loans, gratuities or other benefits from commercial undertakings, which could appear to place them in the debt of that undertaking and which could be held to have been offered solely as a result of their professional position.
    
17. A member shall abide by the Equalities and Diversity Policy of the Institute. In carrying out their professional duties, a member shall refrain from conduct or behaviour which is directly or indirectly discriminatory with respect to other members, work colleagues or the public.
    
18. A member employed by a public authority shall not enter into contracts, engagements or activities which could cast doubt on their impartiality or integrity. In particular, where they or their immediate family have a direct or indirect financial interest in any commercial activities with which they may come into contact with in the course of their official duties any such interest should be brought to the attention of their Chief/Senior Officer.
    Where the member of their immediate family is a shareholder in a limited company, which the member may come into contact with during their official duties. Such shareholding need not be disclosed under this paragraph if it totals less than one per cent of the shares issued and the shareholder takes no active interest in the running of the company.
    
19. A member shall act courteously to all other members and in particular members employed by public authorities shall endeavour, at the earliest possible time, to advise other such members of actions contemplated or taken which may directly affect the duties or interests of those members. In particular significant enforcement matters concerning specific commercial undertakings should be discussed with a representative of the 'Home Authority' at the earliest opportunity.

20. Where a member is not employed in a public authority they should in particular:-

a. Ensure that their membership is not used to endorse any commercial or business activity by themselves or others or to obtain any commercial advantage.

b. Ensure that their membership of the Institute is not used or permitted to be used in such a way that they appear to have an advantageous relationship with members of the Institute who are so employed.

c. Ensure that any privileges, information or benefits direct or indirect which they receive from their membership of the Institute are not used or permitted to be used in such a way as to bring the Institute into disrepute or to otherwise prejudice the Institute, its affairs or its members.

d. Recognise any likely conflict between their employment and their obligations both to the Institute and their fellow members and to bring any such conflict to the attention of the Chief Executive or the Chairman of the Institute in writing as soon as it becomes apparent in accordance with paragraph 7.

e. Declare an interest at any meeting of the Institute members where the interests of their employment are relevant to matters under consideration.

f. Ensure that they attempt at all times to avoid any action or inaction which is prejudicial to the Institute or any of its members.

20. Where a member is self-employed, employment for the purposes of the Code includes employment by any commercial undertaking to whom they may offer their professional services.

22. Where a member is a corporate affiliate member, that corporate affiliate organisation or any person representing that corporate affiliate shall, in particular:

a. Ensure that any special conditions of that membership are complied with at all times; and

b. Recognise that failure of individuals within the Body Corporate to meet the requirements of this Code so far as they apply could lead to suspension or termination of that corporate affiliate membership.

23. Members shall uphold the following professional values:

a. To uphold the principles of fair trading in the community generally by ensuring uniform compliance with trading standards legislation so as to best serve the interests of consumers and traders alike particularly by reference to the Enforcement Concordat and the Home Authority Principle .

b. To provide fair, unbiased and competent advice to other Members, colleagues, employers, members of the public, individual traders and trade organisations.

c. To pursue the discovery of fraudulent and other unfair trade practices and to use all legal means available to discredit and stop them.

d. To pursue the discovery of goods and practices which are prejudicial to the safety and welfare of consumers and fair traders and to use every proper means to seek to prevent their use in trade.

e. To encourage good practice within the profession and to promote the use of quality assured standards within the profession and within trade by the exchange of information and expertise.

f. To keep up to date with legal, economic and technological change both in the U.K. and in Europe and to ensure that modern trade practices are balanced by the most appropriate and effective enforcement techniques.

g. To ensure that consistent professional standards are applied impartially and that where any matter falls within the jurisdiction or responsibility of more than one enforcement agency, to consult with that enforcement agency at the earliest appropriate opportunity.

h. Where any individual or corporate body is subject to enforcement action by a Member. They shall do everything that is within their control to ensure that the matter shall be actively pursued to a speedy decision within the constraints of fairness and the rights of the individual whilst, at the same time, maintaining professional standards.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT COMMITTEE

24. The Professional Conduct Committee (hereafter called the PCC) may consider any instances of conduct by members of the Institute, which it believes, may have disregarded or breached the requirements of this Code or the Equality and Diversity Policy, with the added member as agreed. In particular this includes matters drawn to its attention by the Council of the Institute or the Executive Board or by any of the Institutes Branches or Sections or an individual Member or any person outside the Institute. This should be done in writing, to the Honorary Secretary and should be supported by appropriate evidence.

25. The PCC after making suitable enquiries, may decide not to investigate any such referral or compliant. if it decides that there is insufficient evidence of professional misconduct to warrant further enquiry. Or if the matter is considered trivial or is an employment issue or it is more appropriate to be dealt with under another procedure.

26. Any decision to not investigate a referral may be the subject of an appeal to the Presidents Committee

27. The PCC may also consider matters of conflict referred to it under paragraph 7 of this Code and may issue whatever instructions or advice it considers appropriate.

28. Any decision or advice of the PCC may be the subject of an appeal to the Presidents Committee.

29. The PCC shall comprise of:-

1. The Chairman of the Institute
   b. The Vice-Chairman of the Institute
   c. One other member of the Executive Board, selected at random
   d. The Chief Executive who will also act as Secretary
   e. Two Branch Representatives, selected at random.
   f. The Lead Officer Equal Opportunities
   g. One ordinary Member selected at random
   h. One non public Authority Member selected at random

Five shall be a quorum.

The PCC shall elect one of their number as a Chairman who will also be the presenting officer should the matter be Appealed to the Presidents Committee.

If the subject of the referral is one of the four officers listed above that person shall not be included in the PCC. But their place shall be taken by another Member of Council, selected at random.

30. Any member whose conduct is investigated by the PCC shall be sent written notice of that investigation by Recorded Delivery together with details of the allegation of misconduct within fourteen days of receipt. The member will be given thirty working days in which to submit a written response, and state whether or not they wish their written submission to be considered alone or to appear in person to put their case or to appear with a representative to speak on their behalf at a hearing before the PCC. The PCC may make such other enquiries as it considers appropriate and may ask the member under enquiry for any explanation or other point of clarification that it may require. The PCC will then give the Member fourteen days notice in writing of the time and venue of the hearing.

31. All procedures connected with or leading to the possibility of disciplinary action or in connection with an appeal shall be private and confidential and enquires made by the PCC of other members shall be so treated.

32. The committee shall arrive at its decision, which shall be by majority vote on the basis of the evidence it obtains and the verbal or written submission of the member under investigation. The decision of the committee shall be sent to the member by recorded delivery within fourteen days. In the absence of an appeal, the decision and reasons for suspension or expulsion shall be notified to Council and such other interested parties as the PCC consider appropriate. Proceedings may be reported in the official journal of the Institute provided all appeal procedures have been exhausted and provided that, in any case found to be 'not proven', the member's name shall not be published.

33. Where an allegation of misconduct is found to be proven, the Committee may, subject to appeal, consider whether:

1. To suspend the member from membership of the Institute including any Branch or any section of the Institute for a period not exceeding two years; or
2. To expel them from the Institute.

During such suspension, the member will forfeit all rights and privileges and will not be required to pay any subscriptions other than their current annual subscription but will be expected to pay back any outstanding subscription when membership is re-instated.

34. A member aggrieved by a decision of the PCC may exercise the right of appeal. Such appeal shall be made to the Presidents Committee. Such appeal shall be made in writing and sent to the President of the Institute and addressed to the registered office of the Institute and a copy of the notice must be sent to the Honorary Secretary. Notice of appeal must be made within thirty working days of the date of the notification of the PCC's decision. If no appeal is lodged within the time limit, such decision shall be reported to the Council of the Institute and others as set out in paragraph 32 above.

PRESIDENTS COMMITTEE

35. The Presidents Committee shall, as laid down in the Articles, comprise the President and two Vice Presidents or three Vice Presidents as selected by the President. One member shall be elected as Chairman. The Presidents Committee may take appropriate legal advice before commencing any Appeal. A decision of the Presidents Committee shall be final.

36. Appeals before the Presidents Committee will take the following form:-

1. The Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) shall be the Presenting Officer and will put the case in the presence of the member in question and their representative if any. The Presenting Officer will be permitted to call witnesses and produce relevant documents.
   
2. The member or their representative may ask questions of any witness on the evidence presented.
3. The member or their representative may then put their case to the Presidents Committee. They will be permitted to call witnesses and produce relevant documents.
   
4. The Presenting Officer of the PCC may ask questions of the member or their representative on the evidence given and of any witnesses called.
   
5. The Presenting Officer of the PCC, followed by the member or their representative will sum up their respective cases.
   
6. The Chairman of the Presidents Committee will ask those concerned in the hearing to leave the room. The Committee will deliberate in private and only recall either party or their representative to clarify points of uncertainty on evidence already given. If recall is necessary both parties shall return notwithstanding only one may be concerned with the point giving rise to doubt.
   
7. The decision of the Presidents Committee will be made as soon as possible and the decision confirmed in writing to the member and the Presenting Officer immediately thereafter.
   
8. No costs shall be awarded to either party.
   
9. Decisions shall be reported to the Council of the Institute and in the official journal of the Institute provided that in any case that has been held to be 'not proven' the members name shall not be published.
   
10. The decision of the Presidents Committee shall be final.
    
    Version 10.07.07