ASID Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
1.0 PREAMBLE
Members of the American Society of Interior Designers are required to conduct
their professional practice in a manner that will inspire the respect of clients,
suppliers of goods and services to the profession and fellow professional designers,
as well as the general public. It is the individual responsibility of every member of
ASID to uphold this code and bylaws of the Society.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC
2.1 Members shall comply with all existing laws, regulations and codes governing
business procedures and the practice of interior design as established by the state
or other jurisdiction in which they practice.
2.2 Members shall not seal or sign drawings, specifications or other interior design
documents except where the member or the member’s firm has prepared,
supervised or professionally reviewed and approved such documents, as allowed by
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
2.3 Members shall at all times consider the health, safety and welfare of the public
in spaces they design. Members agree, whenever possible, to notify property
managers, landlords, and/or public officials of conditions within a built
environment that endanger the health, safety and/or welfare of occupants. If,
during the course of a project, a Member becomes aware of an action to be taken
by, or on behalf of the Member’s client, which in the Member’s reasonable opinion
is likely to result in a material adverse effect on the health, safety and welfare of
persons occupying or using the space, the Member shall refuse to consent to, or
participate in that action, and if required by law and/or under circumstances the
Member deems reasonably prudent to do so, the Member shall report such action
to the governmental agency having jurisdiction over the project.
2.4 Members shall not engage in any form of false or misleading advertising or
promotional activities.
2.5 Members shall neither offer, nor make any payments or gifts to any public official,
nor take any other action, with the intent of unduly influencing the official’s
judgment in connection with an existing or prospective project in which the
members are interested.
2.6 Members shall not assist or abet improper or illegal conduct of anyone in
connection with any project.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CLIENT
3.1 Members’ contracts with clients shall clearly set forth the scope and nature of
the projects involved, the services to be performed and the methods of
compensation for those services.
3.2 Members shall not undertake any professional responsibility unless they are, by
training and experience, competent to adequately perform the work required.
3.3 Members shall fully disclose to a client all compensation that the member shall
receive in connection with the project and shall not accept any form of undisclosed
compensation from any person or firm with whom the member deals in connection
with the project.
3.4 Members shall not divulge any confidential information about the client or the
client’s project, or utilize photographs of the client’s project, without the
permission of the client.
3.5 Members shall be candid and truthful in all their professional communications.
3.6 Members shall act with fiscal responsibility in the best interest of their clients
and shall maintain sound business relationships with suppliers, industry and
trades.
4.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHER INTERIOR DESIGNERS AND COLLEAGUES
4.1 Members shall not interfere with the performance of another interior designer’s
contractual or professional relationship with a client.
4.2 Members shall not initiate, or participate in, any discussion or activity which might
result in an unjust injury to another interior designer’s reputation or business
relationships.
4.3 Members may, when requested and it does not present a conflict of interest, render
a second opinion to a client or serve as an expert witness in a judicial or arbitration
proceeding.
4.4 Members shall not endorse the application for ASID membership and/or
certification, registration or licensing of an individual known to be unqualified with
respect to education, training, experience or character, nor shall a member
knowingly misrepresent the experience, professional expertise of that individual.
4.5 Members shall only take credit for work that has actually been created by that
member or the member’s firm, and under the member’s supervision.
4.6 Members should respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the
course of their professional activities.
5.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PROFESSION
5.1 Members agree to maintain standards of professional and personal conduct that
will reflect in a responsible manner on the Society and the profession.
5.2 Members shall seek to continually upgrade their professional knowledge and
competency with respect to the interior design profession.
5.3 Members agree, whenever possible, to encourage and contribute to the sharing of
knowledge and information between interior designers and other allied
professional disciplines, industry and the public.
6.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO THE EMPLOYER
6.1 Members leaving an employer’s service shall not take drawings, designs, data,
reports, notes, client lists or other materials relating to work performed in the
employer’s service except with permission of the employer.
6.2 A member shall not unreasonably withhold permission from departing employees to
take copies of material relating to their work while employed at the member’s firm,
which are not proprietary and confidential in nature.
6.3 Members shall not divulge any confidential information obtained during the
course of their employment about the client or the client’s project or utilize
photographs of the project, without the permission of both client and employer.
7.0 ENFORCEMENT
7.1 The Society shall follow standard procedures for the enforcement of this code
as approved by the ASID Board of Directors.
7.2 Members having a reasonable belief, based upon substantial information, that
another member has acted in violation of this code, shall report such information in
accordance with accepted procedures.
7.3 Any violation of this code, or any action taken by a member which is detrimental to
the Society and the profession as a whole, shall be deemed unprofessional conduct
subject to discipline by the ASID Board of Directors.
7.4 If the Disciplinary Committee decides the concerned Member did not violate
the Society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, it shall dismiss the
complaint and at the concerned Member’s request, a notice of exoneration from the
complaint shall be made public. If the Disciplinary Committee decides that the
concerned Member violated one or more provisions of the Society’s Code of Ethics
and Professional Conduct, it shall discipline the concerned Member by reprimand,
censure, suspension or termination of membership. The Disciplinary Committee
may, in its discretion, make public its decision and the penalty imposed. The
Disciplinary Committee does not impose any other form of penalty. The
Disciplinary Committee cannot require payment of any monies or mandate certain
action to be taken by the concerned Member.
