Participant behavior in IEEE-SA activities is guided by the IEEE Codes of Ethics & Conduct
• All participants in IEEE-SA activities are expected to adhere to the core principles underlying the:
– IEEE Code of Ethics
– IEEE Code of Conduct
• The core principles of the IEEE Codes of Ethics & Conduct are to:
– Uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsible behavior, and ethical and professional conduct
Treat people fairly and with respect, to not engage in harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, and to protect people’s privacy.
– Avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious action
• The most recent versions of these Codes are available at https://www.ieee.org/content/ieee-org/en/about/corporate/governance/
Participants in the IEEE-SA “individual process” shall act independently of others, including employers
• The IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws require that “participants in the IEEE standards development individual process shall act based on their qualifications and experience”
• This means participants:
– Shall act & vote based on their personal & independent opinions derived from their expertise, knowledge, and qualifications
– Shall not act or vote based on any obligation to or any direction from any other person or organization, including an employer or client, regardless of any external commitments, agreements, contracts, or orders
– Shall not direct the actions or votes of other participants or retaliate against other participants for fulfilling their responsibility to act & vote based on their personal & independently developed opinions
• By participating in standards activities using the “individual process”, you are deemed to accept these requirements; if you are unable to satisfy
these requirements then you shall immediately cease any participation
IEEE-SA standards activities shall allow the fair & equitable consideration of all viewpoints
• The IEEE-SA Standards Board Bylaws (clause 5.2.1.3) specifies that “the standards development process shall not be dominated by any
single interest category, individual, or organization”
– This means no participant may exercise “authority, leadership, or influence by reason of superior leverage, strength, or representation to the exclusion of fair and equitable consideration of other viewpoints” or “to hinder the progress of the standards development activity”
• This rule applies equally to those participating in a standards development project and to that project’s leadership group
• Any person who reasonably suspects that dominance is occurring in a standards development project is encouraged to bring the issue to the attention of the Standards Committee or the project’s IEEE-SA Program Manager
Approved by SASB in June 2019