CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BOARD MEMBERS

Version adopted by the Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly#85 (25 March 2025)

This Code of Conduct is intended as a broad guide to appropriate behaviour while carrying out activities in or for ETSI, particularly in cases where specific rules are not available.

The Code of Conduct is intended to augment the ETSI Directives but does not override them. Generally, the Code of Conduct encourages certain collaborative styles of interaction and discourages behaviour that would harm trust and cooperation between members.

ETSI delegates shall acknowledge that the ETSI organization was set up by the CEPT, composed of European administrations, industry partners and stakeholder groups and that the organization is recognized by EU law as a European Standardisation Organisation, as per Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012.

Delegates should support ETSI operations, including the relationship with European administrations as far as reasonably possible, noting in particular the needs of the EU and EFTA, and the advice provided through their Counsellors.

This Code of Conduct complements other more specific codes, such as the Code of Conduct for Board members.

In general, delegates to ETSI

• Shall acknowledge that ETSI operates according to the principles of international standardization: consensus, transparency, openness, impartiality, effectiveness, relevance, and coherence.
• Shall acknowledge that, at ETSI, the respect of other delegates, the Secretariat and the professional culture of standardization is foremost.
• Shall acknowledge that consensus-building in the development of ETSI standards should be upheld and respected.

When involved in ETSI activities, delegates to ETSI

• Shall act in meetings and discussions in accordance with ETSI Values (see above).
• Should make sure that discussions and debates take place in a moderate, professional, respectful and friendly manner, without prejudice.
• Unless acting in official roles, are assumed to be presenting ideas according to their best professional judgement.
• Are expected to act in good faith and with due care and diligence, avoid collusive, anticompetitive, or dominant behaviour and to promote a culture of fair and ethical behaviour.
• Are expected to take care to act on a fully informed basis and take decisions with due diligence, in order to engage constructively in ETSI activities.
• Are invited to actively participate in the work of ETSI, providing timely contributions uploaded to the ETSI portal.
• Shall value diversity and act against any discrimination as outlined in the ETSI Values, e.g. regarding gender, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.
• Shall acknowledge that speakers should not be interrupted; delegates may speak once recognized by the convenor/Chair of the call or meeting. Speakers should keep their interventions short and to the point.
• Should take the views of all meeting attendees (including those whose first language is not English) into consideration.
• Shall inform the Chair or the Secretariat of any issue requiring escalation so a solution may be reached in a timely manner. The member(s) concerned will use all means to endeavour to solve the issue through the appropriate mechanisms with the help of other members and will respect and uphold the outcomes of such resolution mechanisms.
• Are expected to endeavour to avoid conflict of interest. If any actual or potential conflicts of interest are identified, they shall immediately be disclosed through the appropriate mechanisms.
• Shall take into account the interests and the objectives of the European Union, e.g. as laid down in EU legislation, EU policy documents or outlined by ETSI’s Counsellors, when developing deliverables in support of EU policies and legislation.
• Are expected to act in their official roles according to their best professional and neutral judgement, independent of the interests of their supporting organization.
• Are expected to facilitate discussions across different cultures, inclusively, so that decisions align with ETSI Values, protection of minority rights, gender neutrality etc.
• Shall maintain strict impartiality and act in their roles in the interest of ETSI and its members.
• Shall ensure that the ETSI Guidelines for Antitrust Compliance are followed.
• Shall remind delegates of the highlights of these full CoC guidelines at the start of each meeting (at the same time as Antitrust and IPR reminders).

Additionally, ETSI Chairs and Vice-Chairs

Version adopted by the Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly#84 (3-4 December 2024)

General Statement of Expectation

Each Board member is expected to adhere to a high standard of ethical conduct and to act in accordance with ETSI's Vision, Mission, Values and commitments.

The good name of ETSI depends upon the way Board members conduct business and the way the public perceives that conduct.

Unethical, misleading, ambiguous actions, or any conduct that might lead to such interpretation, cannot be accepted.

Board members are to be guided by the following principles in carrying out their responsibilities.

 

Note, however, that these principles are not limiting the duties, obligations, or legal requirements which all Board members must comply with.

 

Loyalty

Board members shall not be, or appear to be, subject to influences, interests or relationships that conflict with the interests of ETSI’s organization or its ability to operate for the benefit of the ETSI community.

Board members shall serve the interests of ETSI's organization and the global ETSI community and shall act to protect ETSI’s interests and those of its staff members, assets and legal rights.

When acting in support of EU policies and legislation, Board members shall take into account the interests and the objectives of the European Union, e.g. as laid down in EU legislation, EU policy documents or outlined by ETSI’s Counsellors.

 

Care

Board members shall act with seriousness and diligence to participate in the affairs of the Board and its committees, shall act prudently in exercising the oversight of ETSI’s technical activities and shall be attentive to the legal ramifications of their personal and Board's actions.

Board members are expected to be familiar with ETSI's Directives and the environment in which the Institute operates, and understand ETSI's activity, policies, strategies, and ETSI’s Vision, Mission, Values and commitments.

Board members shall take such steps as are necessary to be sufficiently informed to make appropriate decisions in the Board and to participate in the Board's activities.

Board members are expected to attend all meetings of the Board, except where exceptional circumstances make their attendance impractical.

 

Compliance with Laws, Rules, and Regulations

Board members shall comply with all laws, rules, and regulations applicable to ETSI. If necessary, Board members can always ask the Legal and Governance department for advice.

Observance of Ethical Standards

Board members must adhere to the highest of ethical standards in the conduct of their duties. These include honesty, fairness, and integrity.

Avoiding conflicts of Interest

Board members shall perform their role with utmost integrity and prudence.

Board members shall act in the interests of the Institute and the membership, avoiding conflicts of interest. They shall not put pressure on others or use undue means such as bribery, e.g. for gaining support or benefiting in some way. In performing their Board roles, they shall execute the relevant tasks using their best professional judgement, including the avoidance of improper influence when offered opportunities, gifts, or entertainment.

Board members shall declare any conflict of interest, for example where the interests of ETSI conflict with their own interests or the interests of their employer/supporting ETSI member.

It is reminded that as ETSI is governed by French law, conflict of interest is also submitted to French rules (link hereunder attached).

https://www.agence-francaise-anticorruption.gouv.fr/files/files/AFA_Guide_conflits%20interets_EN_juin%202022.pdf

The Legal and Governance Director can assist any Board member in case of doubt.

Confidentiality

Board members shall maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by ETSI and/or by other members when clearly indicated as confidential. except when disclosure is authorized or legally mandated. Even if confidentiality is not specified it is expected from Board members to keep discretion and respect of privacy in the use of such information, especially when there is no shared position agreed among the members.

Board Interaction with Media

The Board recognizes the diversity and different interests among the ETSI community and will therefore ensure that no communication coming from ETSI will breach the principles of confidentiality and privacy or will harm ETSI’s interests.

As laid down in the ETSI Directives, the legal responsibility for ETSI falls on the Director-General, who is therefore the one entitled to speak for the Institute. Any other public intervention of any Board member in the name of the Institute shall be agreed by the Board in consultation with the Director-General.

 

Acting in Personal Capacity

Board members shall act in an individual capacity and shall represent the common interests of the ETSI membership. They shall also always make clear that they represent ETSI and avoid any possible confusion with the positions of their respective employer or supporting ETSI member.

Enforcement

Breaches of this Code, whether intentional or unintentional, shall be reviewed by the Board with the Director of Legal and Governance (excluding any Board members whose breaches are under review), who, if necessary, shall make recommendations for corrective action. Breaches of this Code may be a cause for initiating the dismissal procedure of the Board member committing the breach(es) in accordance with ETSI's rules and/or applicable law.

Board members will discuss with the Director of Legal and Governance any questions or issues that may arise concerning compliance with this Code.

 

Affirmation

All Board members shall read this Code at least once per year and shall certify in writing that they have done so and that they understand and are willing to adhere to the Code.

Review

This Code will be reviewed periodically by the Legal and Governance department of ETSI, which shall make recommendations to the full Board regarding changes to or rescinding of the Code, as deemed appropriate.