Codes of ethics (conduct).

Some international organizations and many societies of health and safety professionals have codes of ethics (conduct). The intent is to promote ethical behavior, though compliance is voluntary and enforcement is generally not possible. It is important that all occupational health and safety professionals adopt and live up to the same code. It also is important that the same code of conduct apply to industrializing countries just as it applies to developed countries. A new International Code of Conduct (Ethics) for Occupational Health and Safety Professionals, developed by 40 international health and safety professionals and set forth in this article, addresses professional obligations and responsibilities and introduces a higher standard of ethical conduct than formerly existed.