Code of Practise 2008

Design Professional Responsibility

Member of HKDA being recognized as professionals in the design industry has responsibilities to his/her employer and colleagues, to clients, and to the public to adhere to the following code of practice. All members shall be answerable to the Board of Executive Committee for any conduct that, in the opinion of the Board, is in breach of this and professionalism as recognized by the industry standard. The Board may take disciplinary action against any member (as individual or at corporate level) found to be in breach thereof; and to invite the member to surrender their membership if the Board consent to the final assessment of the situation incurred.

Professional Conduct and Honesty

1. A member shall at all times conduct himself/herself as a person in integrity and shall observe the principles of this code in such a way that his/her reputation, that of HKDA shall be espoused and enhanced.
2. A member who knowingly causes or permits another person or organization to act in a manner inconsistent with this code or is party to such an action shall himself/herself be deemed to be in breach of the code of practice and shall be advised.
3. A member shall not knowingly, recklessly or maliciously injure the professional reputation or practice of another member.
4. A member shall act honestly and shall not mislead its counterparts or clients, and shall not disseminate false or misleading information during any course of its professional activities. It is also the member’s responsibility to ensure that its subordinates and partners conform to such requirements.
5. It is expected that a member as a recognized professional in the design industry be able to attain and retain the appropriate level of competence necessary for him/her to conduct the work entrusted to him/her by his/her employers and clients. He/she shall seek to ensure that the work will be conducted and produced at appropriate level of competence and professionalism that is endorsed by the code instated by the Board of Executive Committee.

Confidentiality and Business Development

1. A member shall not disclose, or permit the disclosure and usage of any confidential information concerning a client’s business without written consent obtained from client to any party.
2. A member having an influential personal interest in any business which is in competition with his own employer or another client’s business shall clearly disclose that interest in writing to the relevant party.
3. No member may seek to obtain business that, in the option of the Board of Executive Committee, is unprofessional; as indicated by the code of practice and that recognized by other members of the Association. The Board will determine the appropriateness to take action to discipline such member and to invite for a surrender of membership.

Misuse of Code and Procedure for Handling Complaints

Unfair, reckless and malicious use of this Code by members or other to damage the reputation and/or professional practice of a member and/or his/her organization shall be deemed as breach of this Code.

The Board of Executive Committee may nominate, at its discretion, a person or persons whose task will be to decide if there is a prima facie case to answer. A review committee consisting or at least one Fellow Member, the Chairman of the Association, two Executive Committee Member and one Full Member shall be set up for reviewing cases if deemed necessary for further action of warning or penalty.