National
^7 Agency Labor Unions and
si Partnership
Si Council
Fostering Scientific Integrity
Management in Partnership
EPA's Principles of Scientific Integrity
It is essential that EPA's scientific and technical activities be of the highest quality
and credibility if EPA is to carry out its responsibilities to protect human health
and the environment. Honesty and integrity in its activities and decision-making
processes are vital if the American public is to have trust and confidence in EPA's
decisions. EPA adheres to these Principles of Scientific Integrity listed below.
EPA employees, whatever their grade level, job or duties must:
Ensure that their work is of the highest integrity - this means that their work is to
be performed objectively, without predetermined outcomes using the most appropriate
techniques. Employees are responsible and accountable for the integrity and validity of their
own work. Fabrication or falsification of work results are direct assaults on the integrity of EPA
and will not be tolerated.
Represent their own work fairly and accurately. When representing the work of others,
employees must seek to understand the results and the implication of the work and also
represent it fairly and accurately.
Represent and acknowledge the intellectual contributions of others n representing their
work to others or in published writings such as journal articles or technical reports. To do
otherwise is plagiarism. Employees should also refrain from taking credit for work with which
they were not materially involved.
Avoid financial conflicts of interest and ensure impartiality in the performance of their
duties by respecting and adhering to the principles of ethical conduct and implementing
standards contained in Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch
and in supplemental Agency regulations.
Be cognizant of and understand the specific programmatic statutes that guide the
employee's work.
Accept the affirmative responsibility to report any breach of these principles.
Welcome differing views and opinions on scientific and technical matters as a legitimate
and necessary part of the process to provide the best possible information to regulatory and
policy decision-makers.

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