Engineering shapes our world and it is crucial to ensure the public has confidence that the profession acts ethically.

Opinion surveys indicate that the engineering profession is generally respected by the public - the latest Ipsos MORI Veracity Index shows 84% of respondents trust engineers to tell the truth. But it is important that the ethical practice of engineering continues to evolve and we do not become complacent.

New report ‘Engineering Ethics: Maintaining society’s trust in the engineering profession’ proposes a series of actions for the engineering profession to take forward, with the aim of promoting a more ethical culture within engineering. It has been produced by the joint Engineering Ethics Reference Group (EERG), established by the Engineering Council and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) in 2019, chaired by Professor David Bogle CEng FIChemE FREng, Deputy President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

An online launch event to mark publication of this report will be held at 6pm on 21 February, free to attend and open to all those working in engineering. This will include a panel discussion with Professor Bogle, Chi Onwurah MP, Engineering Council Chairman Professor Chris Atkin CEng FRAeS FREng, Dr Ollie Folayan CEng FIChemE, co-founder of AFBE-UK, and others.

Register online to attend the event, held online at 6pm on 21 February. 

Update:

One of the actions from the 'Engineering Ethics' report is a programme of research designed to better understand current ethical practice in engineering. Surveys will cover engineering firms, professional bodies, engineers and technicians, to establish a benchmark from which the profession can audit and report on ethical culture and practice. This is currently in the planning process and invitations to participate in these surveys will be sent out during the first week of March.

For press enquiries:
Kate Webster, Engineering Council – kwebster@eng.org.uk, 020 3206 0567

The Engineering Council was incorporated by Royal Charter in November 1981 to regulate the engineering profession in the UK. This is our 40th year of setting and maintaining standards, to ensure that society continues to have confidence and trust in the engineering profession.

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. By this means it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk