EFI

Purpose of These Standards

EFI recognises the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical maturity in professional life. These Governance Standards set out the requirements that ensure recognition is meaningful, responsible, and aligned with the legal and ethical obligations expected across our ecosystem. Our focus remains: protecting the public, strengthening the profession, and supporting ethical growth.

1. Accuracy of Disclosure

Applicants must declare all relevant ethical breaches, complaints, or professional concerns in an anonymised and factual manner, including a brief reflection on what was learned from the process. Applicants must confirm that all information provided is accurate and complete. Any deliberate omission or falsification may result in refusal, revocation, or future ineligibility for recognition.

2. Ongoing Legal Proceedings – Ineligibility

If an applicant is currently subject to legal proceedings related to their professional practice or conduct, their application for recognition will not be considered until all proceedings have been formally concluded. This includes (but is not limited to) criminal charges, civil actions, regulatory investigations with potential legal outcomes, or any court-mandated restrictions on practice.

3. Post-Recognition Legal Proceedings – Automatic Suspension

If a recognised practitioner becomes subject to new legal proceedings after recognition has been granted, their recognition status will be automatically suspended. The suspension will remain in place until the matter is resolved. Depending on the outcome, recognition may be reinstated, revoked, or permanently withdrawn.

4. Ethical Breaches (Non-Legal) – Reflection Requirement

Ethical concerns or breaches that did not result in legal action will not automatically exclude an applicant. However, applicants must evidence meaningful ethical reflection, learning, and changed practice. Lack of evidence, lack of insight, or an inability to show ethical development may result in rejection or revocation.

5. Directory Requirement for Public Claiming of Recognition

Practitioners may only publicly claim Ethics & Ethicality Recognition if they are actively listed in the Ethics Forum International online directory. Removal from the directory, whether due to non-renewal, suspension, or revocation, automatically removes the practitioner’s right to claim recognition.

6. Applicant Declaration and Indemnification

All applicants must agree to a declaration affirming the accuracy and completeness of their submission. Applicants accept that Ethics Forum International relies on their self-reported information and is not liable for omissions or misrepresentations made by applicants.

7. Protection of the Public, the Profession, and the Ethics Forum Ecosystem

All decisions regarding eligibility, continuation, suspension, or revocation of recognition will be made with the primary aim of:

• protecting the public,
• supporting the integrity of professional practice,
• and safeguarding the reputation, legal obligations, and ethical standing of Ethics Forum International and the wider Ethics Forum ecosystem, including the
  • Coaching Ethics Forum (conference, ethics circles, webinars),
  • Academy of Ethicality (Ethics Beyond the Code courses, AoE Research Guidance Team, AoE Ethics Collective
  • Ethical Edge Insights (EEi) magazine,
  • Journal of Coaching Ethics (JoCE) academic journal,
  • Champions of Courage Awards,
  • and all other related ethics initiatives, derived from this work.

EFi Ethicality & Ethics Recognition Framework

The EFI Ethics & Ethicality Recognition Framework sets out the principles, governance, recognition pathways and renewal requirements that underpin all EFI Recognition pathways.

EFi Recognition at a Glance