Code of Ethical Conduct

Rev. 8/30/2017

Code of Ethical Conduct

Members of the Board of Examiners (members) for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award pledge to uphold their
professional principles in the fulfillment of their responsibilities as defined in the administration of Public Law 100-107,
the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Improvement Act of 1987. The Board of Examiners Code of Ethical Conduct
establishes accountability for these principles.
Four principles are the foundation of the Code of Ethical Conduct. These principles are intended to protect the interests
of all key stakeholders, including applicants, examiners, judges, and the program, creating a safe and empowering
environment for all to engage, share, learn, and improve. Known violations should be reported as soon as practical to
the BPEP Director, who will not release the source of the information without permission.
Principle 1: Protect the Integrity of Baldrige
Members will make sound decisions related to conflicting or competing interests, as well as do their part to ensure that
all organizations are evaluated consistently for the Baldrige Award and other Baldrige assessments. Violations of this
principle include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
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Representing conflicting or competing interests or placing themselves in such a position where their interest
may be in conflict–or appear to be in conflict–with the purposes and administration of the Baldrige Award or
other Baldrige assessments. This includes being employed by, being a supplier or customer of, having a financial
interest in, or having a consulting arrangement with a competitor or competing interest, present or future.
Approaching an organization they have evaluated or reviewed in another examiner role on behalf of the Baldrige
Program (e.g., technical editor or external site visit monitor) for personal gain or accepting employment from an
organization they have evaluated within five years of the evaluation
Using information gained from sources other than the award applicant or organization being assessed, such as
information gathered from the press, websites, social media, examiners, or any other outside sources
Intentionally communicating false or misleading information that may compromise the integrity of the Baldrige
Program, award process, or decisions therein

Principle 2: Exhibit Professional Conduct at All Times
Members will conduct themselves professionally, guided by truth, accuracy, fairness, respect, thoughtfulness, and
responsibility in all their interactions. Violations of this principle include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
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Failing to respect the climate, culture, and values of organizations being evaluated when participating in site
visits
Failing to demonstrate respect for all individuals involved with the Baldrige Program or award process. Examples
of this violation are subjecting individuals to harassment, degradation, intimidation, or humiliation.
Independently giving feedback to applicants regarding scoring or overall performance
Sharing their number of years of service as an examiner or promoting/advertising their services while
performing as an examiner
Using Baldrige Program/Award logos in advertising or promotion. Note: Upon completion of the Examiner
Preparation Course, examiners may use the following designation for one year, except on business cards:
Examiner, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA).

Principle 3: Protect the Promise of Confidentiality

Members will safeguard the confidences of all parties involved in the judging or examination of present or former
applicants so that the integrity of the Baldrige Award or award process is not compromised. Violations of this principle
include, but are not limited, to the following examples:
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Disclosing the identity of or other information about the applicant to anyone other than the examiner’s team,
the judge involved in the examination, or the Baldrige staff members involved in the examination during or at
any time after the review process.
Copying applicant information of any kind. Note: Copying information from inside the Baldrige Program’s
encrypted, secure database to other documents within the database is permitted as necessary.
Retaining applicant information beyond the Consensus Review (or Site Visit Review, if applicable)
Communicating applicant identity or other applicant information through e-mail, social media, or any other
electronic or written means outside of the Baldrige Program’s secure database
Communicating applicant identity or other information via cell phone, VOIP, or wireless devices unless
authorized by the applicant
Using or adapting applicant information subsequent to the review process, unless the information is publicly
released by the applicant
Communicating with the applicant during Independent Review and/or Consensus Review, unless the examiner
is a designated participant of the official Independent Review call with the applicant
Communicating directly with the applicant during site visits about matters other than verifying and clarifying
information in the consensus scorebook, unless the examiner is the team leader or backup team leader
Requesting/reviewing individual customer, stakeholder, or workforce member data and information during the
Site Visit Review process

Principle 4: Protect the Program’s Intellectual Property
Members will make sound decisions related to the use of Baldrige Program materials, trademarks, logos, and
information contained within the program’s website. Violations of this principle include, but are not limited to, the
following examples:
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Establishing links from their own website to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program (BPEP) website without making it clear that users will be taken to
official NIST websites
Failing to acknowledge the use of trademarks owned by NIST, including those for NIST, the Quest for Excellence,
and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, along with the statement indicating the trademark is
registered by NIST
Making or sharing unauthorized copies of the Baldrige Excellence Framework or any other Baldrige Program
publications

Furthermore, board members enhance and advance the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award as it serves to
stimulate U.S. organizations to improve overall performance. All board members pledge to abide by this Code of Ethical
Conduct.
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