BCPO is committed to the highest ethical standards for all certificate holders, as reflected in the BCPO Code of Ethics. Adherence to this Code of Ethics is required for the ongoing certification of all those who hold the CPO credential.

Preamble

This Code of Ethics is a set of principles that governs the professional conduct of Certified Professional Organizers with clients, colleagues and the community. CPOs pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint and conscience in their conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of the CPO certificate and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of organizing.

Ethical Principles – Working Relationships

• I will only offer professional organizing services in those areas in which I am qualified, and I will accurately represent those qualifications in all verbal and written communications.

• I will market my professional organizing services in a lawful and honest manner.

• I will respect and not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.

• I will not use the proprietary materials or information of others without the owner’s written permission.

• I will comply with all laws applicable to the operation of my business and my provision of professional organizing services, and I will not engage in any fraudulent or deceptive acts or practices.

• I will at all times endeavor to avoid situations in which my provision of professional organizing services to one client places me in a conflict of interest position with another client.

Confidentiality

• I will respect a client’s wishes with respect to confidential treatment of client information.

• I will use reasonable means to keep all client records and materials in my possession secure and confidential unless the client gives me written permission to make such records or materials public.

Fees & Services

• I will establish my fees in a manner which does not involve collusion with a competitor, and I will communicate my fee and expense structure to my clients in advance of beginning the provision of professional organizing services.

• I will only recommend products and/or services that my clients need or desire.

Acknowledgment & Agreement

As a condition of being awarded and maintaining status as a Certifed Professional Organizer, I voluntarily agree to be bound by and to abide by this Code of Ethics, the Ethics Complaint Procedure for Certifed Professional Organizers, and any policies or procedures adopted by the Board of Directors of the BCPO, as they are now written or may be amended in the future.

I will report to the Professional Practices Committee of the BCPO my knowledge of an act or omission of another Certifed Professional Organizer in violation of this Code, or of any applicant for certifcation status in connection with such person’s application. I agree to cooperate with the Professional Practices Committee in the investigation of alleged violations of this Code of Ethics.

I acknowledge and agree that, if found to be in violation of this Code, I am subject to the prescribed disciplinary sanctions of the BCPO. I acknowledge that, in the event of suspension or revocation of my certifed status, all rights and privileges of said certifcation would be terminated. 

This Code of Ethics is a set of principles to provide guidelines in our professional conduct with our clients, colleagues and community. As a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, I pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint and conscience in my conduct in order to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of NAPO members and to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of organizing.

Working Relationships
•     I will serve my clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
•     I will offer services in those areas in which I am qualified and will accurately represent those qualifications in both verbal and written communications.
•     When unable or unqualified to fulfill requests for services, I will make every effort to recommend the services of other qualified organizers and/or other qualified professionals.
•     I will advertise my services in an honest manner and will represent the organizing profession accurately.

Confidentiality
•     I will keep confidential all client information, both business and personal, including that which may be revealed by other organizers.
•     I will use proprietary client information only with the client’s permission.
•     I will keep client information confidential and not use it to benefit myself or my firm, or reveal this information to others.

Fees
•     I will decide independently and communicate to my client in advance my fees and expenses, and will charge fees and expenses which I deem reasonable, legitimate, and commensurate with my experience, the services I deliver, and the responsibility I accept.
•     I will make recommendations for products and services with my client’s best interests in mind.

Colleagues
•     I will seek and maintain an equitable, honorable and cooperative association with other NAPO members and will treat them with respect and courtesy.
•     I will respect the intellectual property rights (materials, titles, and thematic creations) of my colleagues, and other firms and individuals, and will not use proprietary information or methodologies without permission.
•     I will act and speak on a high professional level so as to not bring discredit to the organizing profession.