What is FIDIC ?
The
Independent Consulting Engineer
Membership in FIDIC
FIDIC : A Brief
History
Code of Conduct
What is
FIDIC ?
FIDIC is the international federation of national
associations of independent consulting engineers who comply
with FIDIC's code on professional status, independence and
competence.
To quality for membership, an association must demonstrate
that its statutes, by-laws and regulations ensure that its
members comply with the ethics and professional code of
practice of the profession in its country Membership in the
Federation is restricted to one association in each
country.
The Independent
Consulting Engineer
A consulting engineer is a professionally
qualified engineer in private practice. He maintains his own
engineering office, either alone or in association with other
engineers and employs staff to assist him to provide
consulting services.
A consulting engineering firm may be organized as a sole
proprietorship, a partnership or a company depending in the
size and type of its operation and the conditions set by
national association.
Membership in FIDIC
Membership in a FIDIC member association is
an assurance that the consulting engineers subscribe the code
of ethics on professional status. Independence and
competence. He is able to approach all assignment
objectively, and by using sound technical and economic
principles, arrives at a solution which serves the best
interest of his clients with due regard for laws and the
interests of the community.
FIDIC : A Brief History
FIDIC was founded in 1913 by five national
associations of independent consulting engineers within
Europe.
The objectives of forming the Federation were to promote in
common the professional interests of the Member Association
and to disseminate information of interests to members of its
component national association.
It was not until the end of the world war in 1945 that FIDIC
began to expand and include among its membership to those
countries which contained the largest associations of
Consulting Engineers. Today FIDIC membership numbers 50
countries from all parts of the globe and the Federation
represents almost all the independent practicing consulting
engineers in the world.
During its development, it has become apparent that FIDIC
must jealously guard the standard of the service which its
constituent Member Associations can offer, and a substantial
contributing factor to this has been its insistence on the
maintenance of strict independence so that the counsel and
advice given to clients are unaffected by any possibility of
gain from other sources.
With the ever growing interest to aid development and less
developed countries and with the tendency of the countries
which were formerly not industrialized to see their future
supported by industrialization, FIDIC has an obviously
expanding part to play in the international picture which can
be a major contribution to world development and, through
that, to peace and prosperity. FIDIC is actively working to
encourage the development of the profession in countries
which are in the process of development and much of the
practical help is being provided by member Associations in
the industrialized Countries.
Code
of Conduct
Professional Status
In the exercise of their
profession, the consulting engineers must act in the
legitimate interest of their client. They must discharge
their duties with complete fidelity and conduct themselves in
such a manner as faithfully to serve the best interests of
society and to uphold the standing of the reputation of the
profession.
Independence
A Consulting engineer's
professional advice, judgement or decision must not be
influenced in any way by a connection with another person or
organization. Control of the polices and management of a
consulting engineering firm which is partly or wholly owned
by entities other than consulting engineers shall be vested
in the consulting engineers.
The remuneration of a consulting engineer for the
professional services should be derived only from the less
paid by clients. With the exception that a consulting
engineer may nevertheless in adhoc groups formed with others
to undertake design, construction, project management or
similar activities.
Competence
Consulting engineers must have the necessary knowledge and
experience to enable them to fulfill their mission.
Policy Declaration
Taking Over Work of Another Consulting Engineer for the Same
Client
No member of a member Association of
FIDIC shall attempt directly or indirectly, to supplant
another consulting engineer, nor shall he review or take over
the work of another consulting engineer for the same client,
until he has either obtained the consent of such consulting
engineer or has been formally notified by the client that the
connection of such consulting engineer has been
terminated.
Consulting Work in Foreign Territories
It is unethical for the members of member Association to seek
or accept appointment for professional consulting work on
terms or under conditions which conflict with those laid down
by the national association of the country in which the work
is to be executed. Members are bounded by their own
association's rules where there is no FIDIC member
Association.
Personal Advertising
Corporate advertising when recommended as necessary in the
best interest of the profession may be supplemented by
individual advertising in appropriate cases as judged by the
national association concerned. Any brochure or other form of
advertisement must be dignified and factual. To ensure this,
the material should comply with the criteria established by
the Association to which the individual member belongs.
Competitive Bidding
It is not in the interest
of the client or of the profession that consulting engineers
should seek or accept appointment under any system of
competitive bidding for professional services. Selection of a
consulting engineer for appointment should be made on
consideration of competence and availability leaving the
negotiation of fees and costs to be settle only with the
engineer selected.
Payment of Commissions to influence the Acquisition of
Assignments
In some countries, it may be
necessary for consulting engineers to make use of local
agents when negotiating contracts. Indeed, some governmental
procurement procedure may require this.
Such agents should only be reimbursed for this spent and
material service which they render, but consignment
percentage fees may be paid where such fees are in accordance
with usual professional practice in that location. Agents
shall not be officials or employees of the client. Agents
should be advised that no payments are to the client nor to
anyone else for the purpose of influencing the selection of
the consulting engineer.
FIDIC reaffirms its policy in regard to selection procedures
based upon ability and experience and considers any attempt
to impose influence as the result of payment of a commission
to be in conflict with the principles of the consulting
profession.
FIDIC Recommendation
Environment
It is recommended that Members of
FIDIC Member Associations, when appointed by any client,
whether public or private, for any project that might have an
effect, directly or indirectly, upon the human and natural
environment, consider it a professional duty to effects,
whether or not their client has included this aspect in the
consultants' terms of reference.
Transfer to Technology
FIDIC encourages the
interchange of knowledge and experience among consulting
engineers in all countries and considers that is to the
advantage of development around the world.