PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS
The Code of Ethics of the Association of Consultants in Organization and Planning (ACOP) of Romania sets out the principles and rules of conduct to which every ACOP member adheres in their professional activity as a consultant in organization and/or planning.
By becoming a member of ACOP, each consultant accepts to follow these principles and to conduct their work with professionalism, transparency, and responsibility toward clients, fellow professionals, and the communities in which they provide services.
This Professional Code of Ethics must be signed by all members, and compliance with it is a requirement for maintaining active membership in the association.
Toward Our Clients
Confidentiality
Consultants must strictly respect the confidentiality of clients’ personal and professional information. Such information shall not be disclosed to third parties unless required by law. All data must be handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, EU 2016/679) and applicable national legislation.
Integrity and truthful representation
Consultants shall provide clear, accurate, and honest information regarding their professional qualifications, training, certifications, and experience. No consultant shall exaggerate or misrepresent their credentials in any private, public, or promotional communication.
Professional competence and specialization
Consultants shall undertake only projects that fall within their field of expertise. When necessary, clients will be referred to other qualified professionals better suited to address their needs.
Empathy and active listening
Consultants shall approach each client with empathy and understanding, practicing active listening to ensure the client feels heard, respected, and supported throughout the organizational process.
Non-judgmental approach
Consultants must refrain from making judgments about the client’s past or present decisions or circumstances. Support and solutions should always be offered respectfully and constructively.
Partnership and collaboration with clients
Each project should be approached as a collaborative partnership with the client. Decisions should be made together, and proposed solutions should be tailored to the client’s needs, preferences, and values.
Contractual clarity and transparency
All terms and conditions of services must be communicated in advance in a clear and accessible manner. This includes fees, payment terms, cancellation policies, additional costs, and working methodology. Consultants must ensure clients understand the scope and conditions of the service provided.
Transparency regarding incentives
Consultants shall disclose any personal financial benefit or compensation that may arise from recommending specific products, services, or partners.
Ethical handling of client property
Organization consultants shall work exclusively with goods, objects, and documents belonging to the contracting client. Any intervention involving property belonging to third parties is permitted only with the explicit, prior, and informed consent of the rightful owner, expressed in a documented form.
Responsible management of discarded items
Consultants must ensure the proper handling of leftover, recyclable, confidential, or potentially hazardous materials, using specialized services when required by applicable regulations.
Toward Fellow Professionals
Professional respect & collaboration
Consultants must maintain respectful relationships with fellow professionals, avoiding unfair competition and respecting the client portfolios and ongoing projects of other consultants. Consultants are encouraged to foster a professional environment based on cooperation.
Intellectual property protection
Consultants shall respect copyright and intellectual property rights related to publications, images, logos, methods, and digital materials belonging to others. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
Ethical promotion of services
Consulting services must be promoted in a legal, transparent, honest, and fair manner in all forms of communication and marketing.
Reporting irregularities
Any behavior that may harm the integrity of the profession or the association should be reported confidentially to the ACOP Board of Directors for appropriate review and action.
Respect for diversity and equality
Consultants must respect diversity in all interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community. Discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, culture, disability, or socio-economic status is strictly prohibited.
Toward the Association and the Profession
Legal compliance
Consultants must comply with all applicable legal, fiscal, and regulatory obligations in Romania or in the country where services are provided.
Professional excellence and development
Consultants are encouraged to continuously improve their knowledge and professional skills through ongoing education, training programs, certifications, and participation in professional events.
Promotion of high professional standards
Consultants should actively promote the highest standards of professional practice within their teams, organizations, and collaborations with employees or partners.
Responsible communication and reputation protection
Members shall contribute to promoting the profession ethically in both physical and digital media, protecting the reputation of ACOP and its members. Any situation that could damage the image of the profession or the association should be communicated privately to the ACOP Board of Directors.
Acting as an ambassador of ACOP
Members represent the values and professionalism of ACOP in their interactions with clients and the public. Official representation of the association is reserved only for authorized members of the Board of Directors.
Proper use of the ACOP member seal
Members may display the official ACOP membership seal on websites, blogs, and social media, provided it links to the official ACOP page and follows the association’s branding and communication guidelines.
Use of the ACOP logo
The use of the ACOP logo in any digital or printed material is permitted only with prior written authorization from the association.
Complaints and Sanctions Procedure
The Association of Consultants in Organization and Planning (ACOP) certifies the adherence of its members to the Professional Code of Ethics but does not guarantee or supervise the individual legal, fiscal, or professional status of each consultant. Each member is solely responsible for their own professional activity and for complying with the applicable laws and regulations in Romania or in the country where they provide services.
ACOP provides an official channel for submitting complaints in cases of non-compliance with the Professional Code of Ethics. The Board of Directors of ACOP will review each case objectively and confidentially and may impose sanctions where appropriate, including warnings, temporary suspension, or expulsion from the association.