SASFA Code of Ethical Conduct

As SASFA members are also members of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, they must adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Institute. In addition, SASFA members shall comply with the Association-specific clauses as indicated below in italic print:

Members of SASFA shall at all times:

·         Preserve the honour, integrity, dignity and good name of the Institute and the Association.

·         Promote and advance the objectives of the Institute and the Association.

·         Display professionalism, competence and ethics in all actions and business dealings,and offer a quality end product that conforms to the Interim Code of Practice for Light Steel Frame Building and /or all relevant SANS Standards, and which upholds the objectives of the Association.

·         Endeavour to ensure that non-member clients comply with all relevant standards with regard to the use and application of their products, in the interests of the light steel frame building industry.

·         Treat clients, associates and suppliers with fairness, respect and courtesy, and foster good relations with them.

·         Protect the interests and confidentiality of their clients and suppliers and not disclose any information regarding business affairs, trading secrets, technical methods or processes.

·         Carry on business without causing harm other than by fair commercial competitive practices.

·         Obey the laws of any country in which they are operating and observe accepted customs, codes and business practices.

·     Respect the environmental laws of the region in which they build, waste or toxic materials (if used ) shall at all times be disposed of in a responsible manner and only at approved dump sites.

·         Timeously bring all cases of unethical conduct to the attention of the Institute and the Association.

·         Act in the interests of the public by actively contributing to public health and safety, and the protection of the environment, the end user and the workmen employed on site during the building process.

·         Actively promote training of their staff, and that of their clients, to adequate levels of competency with regard to the design, fabrication and erection of light steel frame buildings.

·         Make a concerted effort to participate in Institute and Association affairs and programmes, and where possible contribute towards the development of the structural steel and light steel framing industry with regard to technology, education and training.

·         Refrain from using the Association as forum for any anti-competitive practices.

·         Support and use South African made products, provided quality and competitiveness is not prejudiced. Efforts shall be made to encourage and assist South African manufacturers to develop improved products to facilitate import replacement.

·         Accept the authority of the board of directors of the Institute / Steering Committee of the Association in handling disciplinary measures necessitated by of a breach of any terms of this code of ethical conduct.

Members of SASFA shall not:

·         Deny services to anyone on any grounds, except if dictated by sound business principles.

·         Establish any legal entity for the purpose of avoiding the making of any disclosure required in terms of common law or any legislation.

·         Deliberately infringe any patents, copyrights, trademarks, designs or other intellectual property rights or trade devices.

·        Make any disclosure of the business or affairs of the Institute and the Association to the media, without prior consent of the Board and the Steering Committee of the Association.

·         Misrepresent facts or make false statements either verbally or in writing, or prepare false books or statements of account.

·         Destroy records, drawings, calculations or similar pertinent information within five years of completion of a project.

·         Offer nor accept or solicit a bribe or gift for the purpose of procuring business or gaining any other benefit, or engage in any other corrupt practice.

·         Do anything to harm the reputation or business of others.

·         Promote their own interests by derogatory reference to the abilities or products of other SASFA members.

 

 

October 2006