The practice of agrology in British Columbia is regulated by the BC Institute of Agrologists under the Professional Governance Act ('PGA') and Agrologists Regulation.
BCIA is mandated under Section 22(h) and Section 57(2) to establish, monitor, and enforce standards of professional ethics of all Registrants as they fulfill their responsibilities to the public, the employer or client, the profession, and courts or tribunals.
BCIA Registrants must exercise integrity, competence, and objectivity in their professional conduct at all times and:
- Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, including the protection of the environment and natural resources and the promotion of health and safety in the workplace;
- Practice only in those areas of practice that correspond with their professional training, education, experience, and ability;
- Have close regard for the law, relevant federal and provincial legislation and regulations, BCIA Bylaws, sound scientific principles, recognized standards of practice, and policies pertinent to the practice of agrology;
- Maintain competence in relevant specializations, including, but not limited to, active participation in professional development, i.e., continuing education and events;
- Provide accurate information about qualifications and experience;
- Provide professional reports that distinguish between facts, assumptions, and opinions;
- Avoid situations and circumstances in which there is a real or perceived conflict of interest, and ensure that conflicts of interest, including those perceived, are adequately disclosed and that necessary measures are taken to prevent a conflict of interest;
- Respect confidentiality agreements regarding the business affairs of the clients and employers, and not divulge any such information unless disclosure is expressly authorized by the client or employer or is required by law or by the Duty to Report outlined in Paragraph 11 below;
- Engage in honourable and good conduct in professional practice, extra-professional activities, and private life that upholds the integrity and competence of professional agrologists and the profession;
- Abstain from making unwarranted, undignified, and misrepresentative statements about BCIA, its Registrants, or other professionals and their associations, and ensure communications are characterized by respect, courtesy, honesty, and good faith;
- Duty to Report - If the Registrant, on reasonable and probable grounds, believes that the continued practice of a regulated practice by another Registrant or other person, including firms and employers, might pose a risk of significant harm to the environment or the health or safety of the public or a group of people, must report the concern in writing to the Registrar of BCIA and, if applicable, any other appropriate authority or professional regulatory body;
- Ensure employers and clients are aware of the potential consequences should professional decisions or judgments are overruled or disregarded;
- Appropriately credit each Registrant who has contributed to professional work, including recommendations, reports, statements, or opinions;
- Undertake work and documentation with due diligence and follow any guidance developed to standardize professional documentation for the profession of agrology;
- Abide by any other ethical principles and directives as determined by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.