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Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 (Act No.27 of 2003)

Board Notices

Code of Conduct 2022 for South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions

2. Rules of Conduct

 

In practicing Natural Science Professions, Registered persons:

 

2.1 With respect to the public interest and the environment:
2.1.1 must protect the public and the environment by refraining from improper, unlawful and/or negligent unprofessional behaviour in matters involving the rendering of natural scientific services.
2.1.2 must act in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, standards and guiding principles.
2.1.3 must act in a manner consistent with the good reputation of the natural science profession and natural scientists and refrain from conduct which may harm the public, the natural science profession or which may bring the natural science profession or natural scientists into disrepute.

 

2.2 With respect to integrity and dignity:
2.2.1 must discharge their duties to their employers, clients, associates and/or the public with due care, skill and diligence.
2.2.2 must, when carrying out work, adhere to applicable ethical principles, relevant legislation and standards in their respective fields of practice.
2.2.3 must, in accordance with the applicable employment conditions or contract, disclose to their employer or client, in writing, any interest, including but not limited to financial or personal interest, that they may have in any company, firm or organisation, or with any person, which is potentially in conflict with the work that they are employed to perform. The registered person must refrain from undertaking work in respect of which the registered person has conflicting interest.
2.2.4 must disclose, in writing, particulars of any royalty or other financial benefit which accrues or may accrue to them as a result of such interest.
2.2.5 must uphold the integrity, dignity, standing and reputation of the natural scientific profession.
2.2.6 must maintain and uphold privacy and confidentiality of the information obtained in the exercise of their duties, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations (such as the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013)
2.2.7 must maintain and keep safe a record of calculations, document or any other evidence required for the verification of their work, in accordance with document management laws, regulations and standards and guiding principles.
2.2.8 must refrain from deliberately causing direct or indirect harm to, the professional reputation, prospects or business of another person.
2.2.9 must not unlawfully attempt to supplant another registered person after a formal offer of employment and/or letter of award has been made.
2.2.10 must obtain consulting work in a professional manner and not by way of intimidation, threat or bribery.
2.2.11 must advertise their professional services in a manner that is accurate and that is not misleading or derogatory of the dignity of the profession.

 

2.3 With respect to competency:
2.3.1 must only undertake natural scientific work for which their education, training and experience have rendered them competent to perform and is within the category of their registration.
2.3.2 must not misrepresent or knowingly permit misrepresentation of their own or their associates' academic or professional qualifications, or exaggerate their own degree of responsibility for any work of a natural scientific nature.
2.3.3 must give due recognition when using the work of others, in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, standards and guiding principles.
2.3.4 must become familiar and comply with the applicable SACNASP rules and regulations prescribed in terms of the Act, as well as any enforcement procedures that are prescribed in accordance with the relevant field of practice.

 

2.4 With respect to operating outside the boundaries of South Africa:
2.4.1 must, when practising their science professions in another country, do so in accordance with this Code of Conduct, in so far as the Code of Conduct is not inconsistent with the law of the country concerned; provided that they also adhere to the standards of professional conduct in that country.