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NAESA International expects all certified inspectors and inspection supervisors to follow the Exemplar Code of Ethics and the Policy on Conflicts of Interest as stated below. All inspectors are required to sign these documents prior to certification being granted.
If you believe a NAESA-certified inspector is not acting in accordance with the Code of Ethics or the Conflicts of Interest Policy, you may file a complaint. The complaint form can be downloaded by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Exemplar Code Of Ethics
For Certified Inspectors And Inspection Supervisors
Fundamental Principles
Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the inspecting profession by
- using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare
- being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers, and clients; and NAESA International
- striving to increase the competence, prestige, and integrity of the Inspecting profession
Fundamental Standards
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in accordance with the QEI-1 Standard in the performance of their professional duties.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall perform services only in the areas of their competence.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional and ethical development of those inspectors under their supervision.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall build their professional reputations on the merit of their services and shall not compete unfairly with others.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall issue public statements and reports only in an objective, impartial, and truthful manner.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their professional duties.
- Inspectors and Inspection Supervisors accepting QEI Certification from NAESA International by this action agree to abide by NAESA International '' Policy on Ethics (ref. QEI-1 Appendices F and G) and procedures for its implementation and accept their duty to report any violations of this code.
NAESA'S Policy On Conflicts Of Interest
I PREAMBLE
Each individual acting for or in the name of NAESA International as a QEI Certified Inspector is in a position of trust. Particularly since NAESA International holds as paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the general public, each such individual has a fundamental responsibility to exercise impartial professional judgment to enhance the QEI-1 elevator inspection profession in the public interest. NAESA International’s Policy on Conflicts of Interest is intended to further assure the fairness, independence, objectivity, and public confidence in the integrity of all NAESA International and QEI-1 activities by establishing guidelines and procedures concerning conflicts of interest. It is acknowledged and understood that competent and knowledgeable individuals of recognized abilities, qualifications, and interests who participate in QEI-1 activities may have potential conflicts of interest. This Policy establishes guidelines and procedures to enable such individuals to act ethically and uphold the integrity of NAESA International's policies, rules, codes, and standards.
II POLICY
(a) The potential for a conflict of interest exists whenever a person owes loyalty to multiple interests or organizations. Having different interests or loyalties does not constitute a conflict of interest when the action desired by each interest is the same. This situation may be described as a community of interest.
(b) A conflict of interest occurs when loyalty to one interest would impel a course of action different from that impelled by another interest. For example, while acting for or on behalf of an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), a QEI Inspector may consider a matter that directly affects the specific rather than the collective interests of the individual’s employer, association, affiliation, or a competitor of the employer, association, or affiliation.
Where an individual may be under an obligation not to report in a fair, objective, and independent manner due to his/her membership, affiliation, or employment with another organization or company having policies, rules, directives, bylaws, agreements, or procedures that prohibit fair, objective, and independent reporting, a conflict of interest would exist. For example, if an individual performing an inspection would be influenced because of a directive from his/her supervisor or he/she is inspecting equipment on which he/she works, a fellow employee works, or on which a competitor works, a conflict of interest would arise.
In such instances, there could be a conflict of interest between the exercise of the inspector’s independent professional judgment on behalf of NAESA International, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and the public and the individual’s loyalties and responsibilities to his/her employer, association, or another entity.
(c) It is the duty of the QEI Inspector acting for or on behalf of the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to be aware of the possibility of a conflict of interest between their responsibilities to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and the public on the one hand and to their employer or another entity on the other. All QEI Inspectors have a fundamental responsibility to refrain from participating in QEI or compliance inspections when a competing interest precludes or inhibits the exercise of the QEI Inspector’s independent professional judgment on behalf of NAESA International, or the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), or when the nature of the competing interest is such that the inspector’s continued activity would unreasonably jeopardize the integrity, independence, objectivity, or fairness of the inspection.
III RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Individual Responsibilities. In instances where it is clear to individual QEI Inspectors that their judgment with respect to the conducting of fair, objective, and independent inspections is controlled by their loyalty to competing interest, they should disqualify themselves and refrain from participating in the activities regarding the conflict-affected matter.
In instances where individual QEI Inspectors believe that there may be the appearance of a conflict of interest, as in Part II(c) above, although they believe that their independent judgment will not be affected by a competing interest, the QEI Inspectors should nevertheless avail themselves of at least one of the following consultative courses of action:
Advise NAESA International of the potential conflict and the details creating the condition. Allow NAESA International to determine the appropriate course of action within the organization’s operating procedures or bylaws and establish limitations, if required, to mitigate the potential results of the conflict.
Advise the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), employer, or contractor for which the Inspector is performing inspections of the potential conflict and the details creating the condition. Allow the relevant party to determine the appropriate course of action and establish limitations, if required, to mitigate the potential results of the conflict.
(b) Challenges by Other Members. Individuals wishing to challenge the behavior of an inspector with regards to NAESA’s policy on Conflicts of Interest must submit a written complaint using the form contained in Appendix 11aof the Candidate’s Handbook. All complaints will be handled in accordance with NAESA International’s Certification Program Manual.
IV IMPLEMENTATION
Individual QEI Inspectors have the primary responsibility for assuring their adherence to NAESA International’s Policy on Conflicts of Interest. Nonetheless, given the sensitive nature of these considerations and in the interest of NAESA International in preserving the integrity of its reputation and processes, NAESA International retains responsibility for oversight in this area. NAESA International’s Board of Certification shall have the authority to review questions of conflicts of interest and to render opinions thereon.
NAESA International’s Board of Certification may authorize NAESA’s Executive Director, or Chair of the Board of Certification, to issue a letter of warning or admonishment to persons who violate this policy and refer the matter to the Board of Certification for processing as an ethics complaint under the Code of Ethics (Conduct) Policy. A decision of NAESA International’s Board of Certification shall be binding and final if a letter of warning or admonishment is the course of action.
V NAESA INTERNATIONAL’S STAFF
The provisions of this Policy are applicable to NAESA International’s staff, as well as to the members of NAESA International’s Board of Directors, Board of Certification, Executive Committee, Education Director(s), Advisors, Committee members, Instructors, and individuals acting for or on behalf of NAESA International, as set forth above.
VI USE OF QEI LOGO
NAESA’s QEI logo is limited to use by individuals holding valid certified Inspector credentials issued by NAESA International. In addition to using this symbol in their certification documentation, these certified Inspectors may use the symbol for advertising or other literature. Should an Inspector’s certification be suspended or withdrawn for any reason, the individual must immediately cease the use of the title “Certified Qualified Elevator Inspector” and acronym designation on stationery, websites, business cards, and any and all promotional materials. Furthermore, the individual must discontinue the use of all claims to certification that contains any reference to NAESA International or QEI certification as an Elevator Inspector upon suspension, or withdrawal of certification and return any certificates or certification cards issued by NAESA International.
VII USE OF NAESA INTERNATIONAL’S STATIONERY
No member or officer may use NAESA International’s logo, motto, or material for private, business, political, or any other purpose without obtaining the prior express permission of NAESA International’s Executive Director or President. Said permission shall be in writing.
NAESA’s Regions, as set forth under Article VIII, are entitled to use NAESA International’s materials, motto, and logo for official business only.
VIII NOTICE
Each time an individual is certified to the QEI-1 standards by NAESA International, the individual shall at the time of certification be sent a copy of this Policy and NAESA International’s Code of Ethics (Conduct) and should be advised to adhere to the provisions of these policies and codes when performing the duties of a QEI Inspector.
It is the responsibility of the individual to notify NAESA International of any changes in address or other relevant information.
IX ACCEPTANCE
Before receiving certification or renewing his/her certification, each QEI Inspector shall acknowledge adherence to the conditions of this Policy and the Code of Ethics (Conduct). If this acknowledgment is not on file, the member may not be certified.
Note that when either this Policy or the Code of Ethics (Conduct) receives substantive revision as determined by NAESA International, all persons required to have a Conflict of Interest Statement on file shall receive a copy of the revised documents and shall be requested to acknowledge that he/she has received and reviewed a new Conflict of Interest Statement.
X OVERSIGHT
When action is taken by an individual to comply with this Policy, that individual will be certified or recertified provided that all other requirements for certification or renewal of certification are met.
Complaints And Disputes
If you believe a NAESA-certified inspector is not acting in accordance with the Code of Ethics or Conflicts of Interest Policy, you may file a complaint against said inspector with the NAESA Executive Office.
The full procedure for complaints is listed on the Complaint Form which can be downloaded by clicking the link below. YOU MUST INCLUDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR CLAIMS.
Send complaint forms to:
NAESA International
Executive Office
PO Box 4367
Mankato, MN 56002
Fax: 360-292-4973
Email: megan@naesai.org
Fillable Dispute and Complaint form
If you'd like to file an appeal a decision made by the Board of Certification based on a complaint that was filed against you, you must do so within 60 days. Download the Appeals form by clicking below.