Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that follows applies to all IDIBC members involved in the profession of interior design.

Our Bylaws provide that a member may be reprimanded, suspended, or expelled if the member has breached any of the bylaws or any provisions of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

A member may be held responsible for the failure of any person associated with the member in the practice of interior design to comply with the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

A member shall not instruct others to carry out on the member’s behalf, either with or without compensation, acts which if carried out by the member would constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

APPLICABILITY

A member shall not make misleading, deceptive, or false statements or claims about his or her professional qualifications, experience, abilities, or performance.
A member shall not permit his or her name to be used in conjunction with a design or project in which the member was not personally or actively involved.
A member shall not give or permit any public endorsement of any building material or service by means of a statement to which the member’s name is attached or with which the member’s portrait is displayed.
A member shall ensure that any interior design services provided to a client conform with all applicable laws and regulations.
A member shall disclose to his or her client any direct or indirect financial interests which the member may have in the client’s project.
A member shall divulge to his or her client the complete method by which the compensation the member will receive is determined in connection with a project and the manner by which this compensation will be paid.
A member shall not accept or be party to accepting any financial or other inducement in addition to remuneration for professional services rendered for a client on a project.
A member shall conform to all laws, regulations and By-laws relating to the profession of interior design and shall not engage in any conduct involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or dishonesty in professional or business activity.
A member shall not claim to represent the Society without express prior authorization to do so from the Board of Management or an authorized representative of the Society. A member representing the Society shall be precluded from personal promotion in connection therewith.
A member shall clearly identify with his or her name and/or professional seal any work done by the member for a client. A member of the Society shall not affix his or her professional seal to a working drawing or specification that has not been prepared by the member or under the member’s supervision.
A member shall not perform any professional interior design services until retained and in receipt of the client’s instructions.
Except for pro bono services, a member shall only provide services in return for fees that appropriately reflect the services rendered.
Pro bono services are those services rendered without fee or reward of any kind, for the public good, including services for impecunious clients who require the services to avoid hardship.

A member shall not disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of a professional engagement except with the consent of the client.
A member shall not disclose any confidential information that comes to his or her attention in connection with disciplinary proceedings or otherwise in carrying out his or her official responsibilities. However, this prohibition shall not restrict the exchange of information within a duly constituted investigative or disciplinary body.
A member shall not discriminate against any business associate, employee, employer, or applicant because of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or sexual orientation.
A member shall recognize and respect the professional contributions of employees and business associates.
A member shall not knowingly plagiarize the design or infringe the copyright of another designer.
A member shall not deliberately make any statement which injures the reputation, prospects, or business of another designer.
When a designer has entered into a contract with or has been employed by the client, a member shall not knowingly interfere with the performance of the contract or the rendering of any services by the designer or the designer’s sub-contractors.
When a designer has entered into a contract with or has been employed by a client, a member shall not knowingly in any way become engaged by or enter into any contract with the client, unless the member has received notice in writing that the client has terminated the contract with or has dismissed the designer initially involved.
If a member is requested to act as a critic, expert witness or arbitrator in a dispute between any client and another member, the member shall not become involved personally in commenting on the situation, but shall advise that the matter be referred to the Board of Governors of the Society who, if requested, will investigate and pass judgment on the situation, or appoint an arbitrator or arbitrators to do so.

A member may display his or her name and illustrations of the member’s work at the member’s place of business.
A member may erect a sign bearing his or her name and address on work he or she has under construction.
A member may promote or advertise his or her abilities and that he or she is a member of the Society provided that:

(a) the advertising preserves the public interest by reporting accurate and factual information which neither exaggerates nor misleads;

(b) the advertising does not impair the dignity of the profession;

(d) fees are neither quoted nor implied; and

(e) the member complies with the By-laws of the Society.