ISA HK/China --- Code of Ethics for Certified Arborist

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China is relaying a recent message from ISA HQ on the Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists below for your immediate attention. Please read through the message carefully.

ISA HQ is taking the Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists very seriously. This is to protect the credibility & image of ISA Arborists anywhere in the world.

If anyone has any report on misconduct on any ISA Certified Arborist, please use the Charge Form supplied by ISA below. This may include incompetence in work, violation of professional practice, falsification of pre-qualification requirement in applying Certified Arborist Exam, mis-use of ISA Logo & Trademarks, etc.? The judgment will be made by experts in ISA HQ, not that of ISA HK/China. Therefore, please do not send the complaints to us.

Please note any reporting must be supported with justifiable evidence for substantiation.

Thank you for your kind cooperation & understanding.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager


Certification News

ISA Certified Arborist's Code of Ethics policy…

ISA Certification has implemented an ISA Certified Arborist's Code of Ethics policy to serve as a central guide and reference for arborist’s in support of their day-to-day decision making. It is meant to define our organization's mission, values and principles, linking them with standards of professional conduct and industry standards. This document will be an important communication tool to help sustain consistency around the world and create an even playing field for all Certified Arborists.

The Code of Ethics policy is being sent to all current ISA Certified Arborist to sign and will become part of the application process for all new incoming applicants. We anticipate that implementing this policy will help to reduce poor professional conduct and practices. ISA Certified Arborists will be held accountable for their actions and in turn improve their business relations within their community and amongst their peers. This Code of Ethics will offer an invaluable opportunity for ISA to continue building a positive industry image which will increase confidence and trust in our certification program.

For more details please see the documents below:

Ethics Case Procedures
Click here for the Ethics Charge Statement
Click here for the Certified Arborist Agreement

Continuously improving our profession!

ISA takes the Code of Ethics very seriously and an Ethics Review Committee (ERC) will investigate unethical behavior that is brought to our attention. We ask that you please review the ‘Code of Ethics’ prior to completing an Ethics Charge Statement and fully document reasonable grounds for a violation. The more information you can supply the better we can determine the severity of the matter. Please note that your complaint is confidential but your name and information will be shared with the individual being reported.


ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST CODE OF ETHICS

The International Society of Arboriculture, Inc. (ISA) is a voluntary, non-profit, professionalassociation. The ISA Certification Program certifies qualified practitioners in the field ofarboriculture, who have met the professional knowledge standards established by the ISACertification Board.

Regardless of any other professional affiliation, this ISA Certified Arborist Code of Ethicsapplies to those individuals seeking ISA Certified Arborist certification (candidates), and allindividuals certified by the ISA as Certified Arborists (certificants).

The Certified Arborist Codeof Ethics establishes appropriate and enforceable professional conduct standards, and explainsthe minimal ethical behavior requirements for Certified Arborist certificants and candidates. TheCertified Arborist Code of Ethics also serves as a professional resource for arborists, as well asfor those served by Certified Arborist certificants and candidates, with respect to such standardsand requirements.

I. Responsibilities to ISA, the profession and the public.

A. Certified Arborist compliance with all organizational rules, policies and legalrequirements. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and ethical standardsgoverning professional practice of arboriculture.
2. Comply with all accepted professional standards related to arboriculturepractice, including national practice standards and policies.
3. Provide accurate, complete, and truthful representations concerning allcertification and recertification information.
4. Maintain the security of ISA examination information and materials, includingthe prevention of unauthorized disclosures of test information.
5. Cooperate with ISA concerning ethics matters and the collection ofinformation related to an ethics matter.
6. Report apparent violations of the Code of Ethics by a certificant or candidateupon a reasonable and clear factual basis.
7. Refrain from behavior or conduct that is clearly in violation of professional,ethical, or legal standards.

II. Responsibilities to clients, employers, employees, and the public.

A. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning the performance of professionalservices. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Deliver safe and competent services with objective and independentprofessional judgment in decision-making.
2. Recognize the limitations of their professional ability and provide servicesonly when qualified. The certificant/candidate is responsible for determiningthe limits of his/her own professional abilities based on qualifications,education, knowledge, skills, practice experience, and other relevantconsiderations.
3. Make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate professional referrals whenunable to provide competent professional assistance.
4. Maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained inthe course of professional activities unless: the information is reasonablyunderstood to pertain to unlawful activity; a court or governmental agencylawfully directs the release of the information; the client or the employerexpressly authorizes the release of specific information; or, the failure torelease such information would likely result in death or serious physical harmto employees and/or the public.
5. Properly use professional credentials, and provide truthful and accuraterepresentations concerning education, experience, competency and theperformance of services.
6. Provide truthful and accurate representations to the public in advertising,public statements, and other representations, and in the preparation ofestimates concerning costs, services and expected results.
7. Recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of others and act in anaccurate, complete, and truthful manner, including activities related toprofessional work and research.

B. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning conflicts of interest and appearancesof impropriety. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Disclose to clients or employers significant circumstances that could beconstrued as a potential or real conflict of interest or an appearance ofimpropriety.
2. Avoid conduct that could cause a conflict of interest with a client, employer,employee, or the public.
3. Assure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of aclient, employer, employee, or the public and does not influence or interferewith professional judgments.
4. Refrain from offering or accepting significant payments, gifts or other formsof compensation or benefits in order to secure work or that are intended toinfluence professional judgment.

C. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning public health and safety. Certificantsand candidates must:

1. Follow appropriate health and safety procedures, in the course of performingprofessional activities, to protect clients, employers, employees, and thepublic from conditions where injury and/or other harm are reasonablyforeseeable.
2. Inform appropriate government representatives or agencies when aware of anactivity or circumstance that may cause an unsafe condition or violate legalrequirements.