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This Code of Ethics is a benchmark of the standards and behavior expected of IPAN-SoTLAN certificate holders and applicants in order to reaffirm the value of holding an IPAN-SoTLAN certification. It is aimed at ensuring public confidence in the integrity and professional services of IPAN-SoTLAN certified persons in the course of performing their duties.
It contains standards of conduct and ethical behaviour for applicants or certified persons in the field of analytical laboratory analysis, examples of unethical behaviour and potential sanctions to be enforced by IPAN-SoTLAN Board whenever an examination candidate or certified person is found guilty of unethical conduct or behavior.
All IPAN-SoTLAN certificate holders and applicants are expected to meet the following standards of professional conduct and ethics:
- Conduct themselves in an honest, trustful, accurate, fair, responsible and independent manner while performing their professional duties.
- Always act in the best interest of their employer, their clients, the public, and the profession in accordance with the professional standards and applicable techniques in the course of their duties.
- Maintain competency in their respective fields; strive to constantly improve their skills and offer only professional services for which they are competent to perform.
- Inform each employer or client of any business interests or affiliations which might influence their judgment or impair their fairness.
- Treat confidentially all information obtained from any present or former employer or client during professional and business dealings.
- Comply with applicable laws and regulations with regard to professional activities and duties.
- Respect the intellectual property and contributions of others.
Also, in all dealings with IPAN-SoTLAN:
- Provide accurate and complete information and abide by IPAN-SoTLAN’s Policies and Procedures, including this Code of Ethics, as they may be updated from time to time;
- Represent themselves truthfully and honestly throughout the entire certification process.
- Adhere to all examination rules/regulations and make no attempt to complete the examination dishonestly or to assist any other person in doing so.
- Refrain from activities that may jeopardize the reputation of IPAN-SoTLAN or the integrity of its Certification programmes for persons and cooperate during any inquiry arising from any claimed infringement of this code of Ethics.
Any certified person who violates any provision of this Code of Ethics will be subject to disciplinary action after due process, which may result in suspension, withdrawal or reduction of the scope of certification.
Ethical Behavior of Certification Personnel/Volunteer, Leaders and Staff
IPAN-SoTLAN holds all of its stakeholders, most particularly certification personnel/volunteers, staff, contractors and other agents representing IPAN-SoTLAN to the following responsibilities:
- Act only within the scope of authority as specified/directed by IPAN-SoTLAN.
- Make only commitments that an individual is authorized to make or that IPAN-SoTLAN can make without violating established practices and policies.
- Avoid the exploitation of professional relationships or positions in IPAN-SoTLAN, whether elected or appointed, for personal gain.
- Respect professional confidences and protect the confidentiality of IPAN-SoTLAN information, Certification Candidate Handbook including intellectual property, candidate identities, score results information, personnel information and other information as articulated in IPAN-SoTLAN Confidentiality Policy.
- Refrain from using association with IPAN-SoTLAN to promote or endorse external products or services
- Accept no gifts or benefits offered with the expectation of influencing a decision when conducting certification activities of business on behalf of IPAN-SoTLAN