Code of Conduct and Membership Undertakings

Professional Integrity

• Act honestly, transparently, and in good faith in all professional dealings.
• Avoid behaviour that could mislead, deceive, or harm clients, colleagues, the public, or the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade (CIOE&IT).
• Comply with all applicable consumer protection, fraud, anti-corruption, and business conduct laws, including (where relevant):
  • UK Bribery Act 2010 (or local equivalent)
  • Fraud Act 2006
  • Misrepresentation Act 1967
• Avoid any conduct that could bring the CIOE&IT or the profession into disrepute.
• Report suspected professional misconduct where legally permitted.
  
  

Competence and Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

• Maintain and update professional knowledge and skills to standards expected by the Institute.
• Undertake Continuous Professional Development in accordance with Chartered Institutes requirements.
• Deliver work with reasonable skill, care, and diligence as required under common law duty of care and relevant contract law.
• Comply with professional standards, sector regulations, and statutory requirements applicable to their field (e.g., employment law, trade-specific regulations, data regulations, etc.) to ensure compliant and effective trade.
• Only undertake work for which they are suitably qualified, trained, and competent.
  
  

Confidentiality

• Protect confidential, commercially sensitive, or personal information obtained through professional roles.
• Comply with all relevant privacy and data protection legislation, including:
  • UK GDPR
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Local equivalents for international members
• Use personal data only for legitimate, lawful purposes and with appropriate security controls.
• Not disclose confidential information unless:
  • Explicitly authorised,
  • Required by law or court order, or
  • Necessary to prevent serious harm or illegal activity.
    
    

Adherence to Laws and Regulations

• Comply with all national and international laws, government regulations, and professional standards relevant to their business or role.
• Understand obligations relating to:
  • Trade regulations and import/export laws
  • Competition law
  • Employment law and workplace rights
  • Health and Safety legislation
  • Equality and anti-discrimination laws
  • Environmental regulations
• Ensure all business activities adhere to both statutory requirements and regulatory standards applicable to the Chartered Institutes discipline.
  
  

Conflict of Interest

• Promptly disclose any actual, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest that could impair professional judgement.
• Take reasonable steps to avoid situations where personal, financial, or organisational interests could improperly influence professional actions.
• Implement appropriate mitigation strategies, which may include recusal, declare interests, or adjust responsibilities.
• Follow the Chartered Institutes conflict of interest reporting procedures.
  
  

Public Interest, Safety, and Ethical Practice

• Ensure professional decisions consider the public interest, including safety, sustainability, fairness, and human rights.
• Avoid actions that may contribute to unsafe practices, environmental harm, or human exploitation (including modern slavery).
• Comply with legislation such as:
  • Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Modern Slavery Act
  • Environmental Protection regulations
• Promote ethical behaviour in all professional engagements, including fair treatment of workers and responsible supply chain practices.
  
  

Copyright and Intellectual Property Compliance

• Ensure that all content used in professional settings—including presentations, publications, training sessions, and events—does not infringe copyright or other IP rights.
• Only use copyrighted material with:
  • Explicit permission,
  • Valid licences, or
  • When permitted under statutory exceptions (e.g. fair dealing).
• Respect trademarks, patents, and proprietary information when representing the Chartered Institute or their employer.
  
  

Professional Accountability

• Take responsibility for professional decisions, advice, and actions.
• Cooperate fully with any Chartered Institutes investigation, audit, or compliance review.
• Correct errors promptly and take appropriate steps to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain appropriate professional indemnity or business insurance where required by law or by the Institute.
  
  

Disciplinary Action

• Breaches of the Code of Conduct may result in warnings, suspension, termination of membership, or other disciplinary measures.
• The Chartered Institute may report serious misconduct to:
  • Employers
  • Regulatory authorities
  • Law enforcement (where applicable)
• Members must comply with all disciplinary processes and provide truthful information when required.

Professional Member Undertaking

1. Compliance with Governance Documents
   Members agree to abide by the Chartered Institutes Charter, byelaws, policies, regulations, Code of Conduct, and disciplinary procedures.
   This includes compliance with updates to these documents.
2. Payment of Fees
   Members agree to pay annual subscriptions, renewal fees, and any other charges required for membership status. Your Membership, including access to any associated benefits, will not commence until payment has been received and verified.
   Non-payment may result in suspension or loss of membership.
3. Liability Contribution
   Members agree, as required by the Charter, to contribute up to one pound (£1) towards the Chartered Institutes liabilities if the organisation is wound up while they are a member or within the statutory period afterward.
4.  Accuracy of Information
   Members certify that all information provided in applications, declarations, CPD submissions, or professional records is accurate, complete, and not misleading.
   Providing false or misleading information may be treated as misconduct.
   
   

Business Member Undertaking

1. Corporate Compliance
   The applying organisation agrees to abide by the Chartered Institutes Charter, byelaws, policies, regulations, Code of Conduct, and disciplinary procedures.
   It also agrees to maintain lawful, ethical business practices consistent with relevant legislation.
2. Payment of Fees
   The business agrees to pay the required membership and renewal fees. Your Membership, including access to any associated benefits, will not commence until payment has been received and verified. Non-payment may result in suspension or loss of membership.
3. Accuracy of Corporate Information
   The business certifies that all corporate information provided—such as ownership, registration, financial status, or compliance declarations—is accurate.
4. Regulatory and Legal Compliance
   The business agrees to comply with:
   • Company law requirements
   • Data protection and employment law
   • Health and safety obligations
   • Anti-bribery and corruption legislation
   • Competition and trade laws
   • Any sector-specific regulatory frameworks
   • Where relevant, the organisation must ensure its supply chain also adheres to key legal and ethical standards.
     
     

Post-nominals

Members must use the Institute’s post-nominals accurately, honestly, and strictly in accordance with the membership grade they currently hold. The use of any Institute post-nominals is a professional privilege, and members are prohibited from:

1. Using post-nominals to which they are not entitled, including those associated with higher membership grade, lapsed membership, suspended membership, or revoked membership.
2. Using post-nominals in a misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent manner, including in any context that may misrepresent professional status, qualifications, or affiliation with the Institute.
3. Continuing to use the Institutes post-nominals after ceasing to be a member, unless explicitly permitted under a designated retired or honorary category.
4. Using altered, invented, or unapproved variations of the Institutes post-nominals, including abbreviations, stylised forms, or versions not authorised by the Institute.
   
   

Members acknowledge that the misuse of any post-nominals constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct and Members’ Undertaking. The Institute reserves the right to take disciplinary action, which may include formal warnings, suspension of membership, termination of membership or reporting the matter to relevant external bodies where appropriate.

Members are required to correct any misuse immediately upon being notified by the Institute and to cooperate fully with any related investigation.