Ethical code

In business, a code of ethics will start by setting out the values that underpin the code and will describe an organization's obligation to its stakeholders. The code is publicly available and addressed to anyone with an interest in that organization's activities and the way it operates. It will include details of how the organization plans to implement its values and vision, as well as guidance to staff on ethical standards and how to achieve them. However, a code of conduct is generally addressed to and intended for the organization's leaders and staff. It usually sets out restrictions on behavior, and will be far more focused on compliance or rules than on values or principles.

In the United States, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (the federal rules concerned with government contracting) require contractors to "conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and honesty", and to this end demand that "contractors should have a written code of business ethics and conduct". The federal rule, built on earlier policies adopted by the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency, adds that "to promote compliance with such code of business ethics and conduct, contractors should have an employee business ethics and compliance training program and an internal control system".

A code of practice is adopted by a profession (or by a governmental or non-governmental organization) to regulate that profession. A code of practice may be styled as a code of professional responsibility, which will discuss difficult issues and difficult decisions that will often need to be made, and then provide a clear account of what behavior is considered "ethical" or "correct" or "right" in the circumstances. In a membership context, failure to comply with a code of practice can result in expulsion from the professional organization. In its 2007 International Good Practice Guidance, Defining and Developing an Effective Code of Conduct for Organizations, the International Federation of Accountants provided the following working definition:

"Principles, values, standards, or rules of behavior that guide the decisions, procedures and systems of an organization in a way that (a) contributes to the welfare of its key stakeholders, and (b) respects the rights of all constituents affected by its operations."

For example, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics outlines a list of codes journalists should follow. The code begins with the preamble:

Members of the Society of Professional Journalists believe that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. An ethical journalist acts with integrity. The Society declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Medical workers and physicians

Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

Declaration of Geneva

Hippocratic Oath

Percival's Medical Ethics

Madrid Declaration on Ethical Standards for Psychiatric Practice

Military, warfare, and other armed conflict

Bushidō (Japanese samurai)

Code of the U.S. Fighting Force

International Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation ("ICOC" or "Hague Code of Conduct")

Israel Defense Forces Code of Conduct

Pirate code

Uniform Code of Military Justice (United States)

Warrior code

Religious

Code of Ma'at (Ancient Egypt)

Eight Precepts (Buddhism)

Five Precepts (Buddhism)

Golden Rule / Ethic of reciprocity (various)

Seven Laws of Noah (Judaism)

Patimokkha (Buddhism)

Quran (Islam)

Rule of St. Benedict (Christian monasticism)

Ten Commandments (Abrahamic religions)

Ten Precepts (Buddhism)

Ten Precepts (Taoism)

Yamas and niyama (Hindu scriptures)

Others

The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

Journalist's Creed

American Library Association Code of Ethics

Applied ethics

Media ethics

Aviators Model Code of Conduct

Global civics

ICC Cricket Code of Conduct

Institute of Internal Auditors, Code of Ethics

Moral Code of the Builder of Communism

NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers