CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ETSI 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.

Additionally, ETSI Chairs and Vice-Chairs