Code of Ethics – UL Standards Development Participants
1.0 PURPOSE
The UL standards development process is intended to be an open process where a variety of interests are engaged in developing timely, scientifically based consensus standards that fulfill UL's mission. This document is intended to assist participants in that endeavor.2.0 SCOPE
The statements of principles contained within this Code of Ethics have been prepared to guide the conduct of participants in UL's Standards development activities to comply with the highest ethical and legal standards. This Code of Ethics applies to all participants in the UL standards development process, including Standards Technical Panel (STP) members. It is essential that all participants in the UL Standards Development Process conform to these principles. These principles are not intended to supply specific guidance for every activity, but rather to provide guidelines for ethical behavior, which must be observed by all participants throughout the world. Where the Code of Ethics is specific, it should be followed to the letter. If certain situations are not expressly covered, participants are expected to consider the spirit of this Code of Ethics in determining the most appropriate course of action. UL takes violations of the Code of Ethics very seriously. Violations of this Code may result in an immediate termination of membership on an STP, committee, or task group, as applicable.3.0 RESPONSIBILITY
3.1 Participants shall act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interest of the UL Standards Development Process. Although it is recognized that legitimate differences of opinion frequently exist on individual issues, all participants are expected to work in a constructive, respectful, and collaborative effort pursuant to resolving such differences.
3.2 Participants should give consideration to all points of view.
3.3 In all discussion, debate, and deliberation within the UL Standards Development Process, participants shall confine their comments to the merits and substance of the issues under review. Although participants may zealously advocate their views or positions, they shall refrain from debate and discussion that is disrespectful, threatening, or otherwise unprofessional in tone or which is personalized or offensive to other participants and damaging to the overall process of achieving consensus.
3.4 Participants shall take appropriate steps to ensure that any public statements, either written or oral, which are not official statements of UL, are properly portrayed as the opinion or position of that individual participant. Participants shall refrain from making statements that mislead the public.
3.5 STP Members and individuals serving on other consensus body committees or similar groups have a continuing obligation to provide UL with timely, accurate and complete information concerning their qualifications, organization affiliations and interest classification.
3.6 STP Members or individuals serving on other consensus body committees or similar groups who have been classified General Interest comprise a category of independent consultants and experts who are generally unallied with any particular business or commercial interest. On occasion, however, independent consultants in this category may be retained by a client to advocate on behalf of the client with regard to a specific issue or issues before the STP or committee. Accordingly, the consultant shall declare those interests to the STP or committee in a timely fashion and shall refrain from voting on any proposal relating to issue(s) in which the interests of the consultant's client are or may be potentially involved.
3.7 STP Members frequently receive funding from their employers, organizations, or other sources for their participation in UL's Standards Development Process, and they have an affirmative and continuing obligation to declare those sources of funding to UL. Apart from those declared sources of funding, STP or committee members must not solicit or accept gifts, hospitality, or transfers of economic benefit, other than unsolicited gifts or other benefits of nominal value, i.e., USD $100.00 or less, from persons, groups, or organizations having dealings with their STP or committee, or under any circumstances in which the benefit would be or could appear to be bestowed or accepted for the purposes of influencing the members' activities within the Standards Development Process. This Section is not intended to prohibit authorized reimbursements by UL for travel and living expenses of STP or other committee members nor authorized honorariums paid by UL.
3.8 Participants shall treat all persons with respect and fairness and should not offer or appear to offer preferential treatment to any person or group.
3.9 Participants shall refrain from disseminating false or misleading information or from withholding information necessary to a full, fair, and complete consideration of the issues.
3.10 Participants shall not harass, threaten or coerce any STP or other committee members in an effort to persuade or sway votes. This does not preclude professional, respectful communications that contain information and/or present perspectives intended to persuade other participants to lend their support or opposition to issues, proposals, etc.
4.0 PATENT POLICY
Participants shall comply with UL's Patent Policy as specified in the Approved Regulations Governing ANSI/UL Standards Technical Panels.5.0 COPYRIGHT
5.1 Participants shall respect UL's copyright and the copyright of other individuals and organizations.
5.2 UL Standards related materials, Standards, Revisions, Bulletins, and Meeting Reports used in whole or in part are protected by domestic and international copyright laws. These materials shall not be duplicated, distributed or used in conflict with the terms set forth in this document or without the prior consent from UL.
5.3 When developing UL Standards or Standards-related materials, participants are not permitted to include copyrighted material from another organization in any UL Standard or Standards-related document unless UL has received written permission from the owner of the copyright material. This includes hardcopy and electronic media, Intranet, Internet, or any other format. Should permission be obtained from the owner of copyright material, an acknowledgement or other information may be required to be included in the UL document as a condition of use.
6.0 USE OF CORPORATE NAME OR INFLUENCE
Participants shall not use the name or influence of UL for personal purposes.7.0 SEEKING GUIDANCE AND REPORTING POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS
7.1 Guidance - Contact Tricia Sena, Standards Operations, (Patricia.A.Sena@ul.com) with questions or concerns regarding the Code of Ethics for UL Standards Participation.
7.2 Reporting - Participants may report issues concerning violation of the Code of Ethics for UL Standards Participation to Tricia Sena, Standards Operations, (Patricia.A.Sena@ul.com).
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