The ICF-ECA is a professional organization of coaches who have agreed to adhere to the standard of ethical conduct as outlined by the International Coach Federation - the governing body that sets the guidelines to maintain the integrity of coaching worldwide.

ICF-ECA coaches apply a form of coaching that honors the client as the expert in his/her life and work, and believes that every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

• Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve
• Encourage client self-discovery
• Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies
• Hold the client responsible and accountable

Professional Conduct With Clients

1. The coach will accurately identify his/her level of coaching competence and will not overstate their qualifications, expertise or experience as a coach.
2. The coach will ensure that the coaching client understands the nature of coaching and the terms of the coaching agreement.
3. The coach will not intentionally mislead or make false claims about what the client will receive from the coaching process or from their coach.
4. The coach will not give the client or any prospective clients information or advice known to be misleading or beyond the competence of the coach.
5. The coach will be alert to noticing when the client is no longer benefiting from the coaching relationship and would be better served by another coach or by another resource and, at that time, the coach will encourage the client to make that change.

Confidentiality/Privacy

6. The coach will respect the confidentiality of the client's information, except as otherwise authorized by the client, or as required by law.
7. The coach will obtain informed permission from each client before releasing their names as clients or references or any other client identifying information.
8. The coach will obtain the express consent of the person being coached before releasing information to another person compensating the coach.

Conflict of Interest

9. The coach will seek to avoid conflicts between personal interests and the interests of the client.
10. Whenever any actual conflict of interest or the potential for a conflict of interest arises, the coach will openly disclose it and fully discuss with the client how to deal with it in whatever way best serves the client.
11. The coach will disclose to the client all anticipated compensation from third parties that the coach may receive for referrals or advice concerning that client.

Professional Conduct At Large

12. The coach will conduct him or herself in a manner that reflects well on coaching as a profession and he or she will refrain from doing anything that harms the public's understanding or acceptance of coaching as a profession.
13. The coach will honour agreements made in the coaching relationship, and will construct clear agreements that may include confidentiality, progress reports, and other particulars
14. The coach will respect and honor the efforts and contributions of others.
15. The coach will respect the creative and written work of others in developing his or her own materials.
16. The coach will use EAPC member contact information (email addresses, telephone numbers, etc.) only in the manner and to the extent authorized by the EAPC.