For the Recommended Handling Guidelines and Animal Welfare Assessment Tool for Horses
Certified assessors shall:
Exercise honesty, objectivity, and diligence in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. An assessor shall not intentionally and knowingly be a party to any illegal or improper activity related to their area(s) of certification or otherwise indicating a lack of personal integrity.
Not engage in acts or activities which would bring discredit to the profession of animal assessing or to Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada (HWAC) including, but not limited to acts of dishonesty, deceit or fraud.
Refrain from entering into any activity that may be in conflict of interest or which would prejudice their ability to carry out objectively their duties and responsibilities in an independent and unbiased manner.
Make findings, conclusions and decisions based on fact and current science based information using the scientifically sound criteria.
Not accept anything of value from anyone that would impair or be presumed to impair their professional judgment.
Undertake only those services they can reasonably expect to complete with professional competence.
Be prudent in the use of information acquired in the course of their duties. They shall not use confidential information for any personal gain nor in any manner that would be contrary to law or a confidentiality agreement.
When reporting on the results of their work, reveal all material facts known to them which, if not revealed, could either distort reports of operations under review or conceal fraudulent practices.
Continually strive for improvement in their proficiency and skills and in the effectiveness and quality of their service.
Cooperate fully with an inquiry in the event of any alleged breach of these Standards of Conduct or any event which may instigate an inquiry.
Not represent their acts or statements in such a way as to lead others to believe that they represent HWAC.
Strive to use their knowledge and expertise to enhance the welfare of animals and the animal agriculture industry.
Certified Animal Assessors are required to observe the tenets set forth below:
Relationship with the Animals
Hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the animals
Comply with the facility biosecurity requirements
Relationship with Clients, Plant Personnel and Employers
Perform services only in one’s area of expertise and certification
Maintain confidentiality of assessment results
Avoid any conflicts of interest or appearances of conflict of interest, such as performing audits for facilities or clients in which the auditor has a personal or financial interest
Avoid any action that would interfere with the safe and humane handling of animals and / or that would interfere with the duties of plant personnel
Relationship with Peers
Continue professional development through any required continuing education and mentoring
Avoid any attempts to falsely or maliciously injure the reputation of another auditor, including making false statements relative to other auditors or their work
Provide appropriate credit for work done by others or information obtained from others
Responsibility to the Profession
A certified assessor having positive knowledge of a deviation from the Standards of Conduct by another certified auditor has the responsibility to bring this to the attention of the appropriate officials.