Effective August 1, 2024

The International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Foundation (the iaedp^TM Foundation or the Foundation) is an educational, and professional organization whose members work in a variety of settings and serve in multiple capacities. Eating disorder professionals facilitate relationships that empower diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, and wellness goals. Professional values are an important way of living out an ethical commitment.

The following are core professional values of eating disorders professionals: 

1. enhancing human development throughout the life span;
2. honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts;
3. safeguarding the integrity of the professional–client relationship; and
4. practicing in a competent and ethical manner. 
   

These professional values provide a conceptual basis for the ethical principles enumerated below. These principles are the foundation for ethical behavior and decision making. The fundamental principles of professional ethical behavior are

• autonomy, or fostering the right to control the direction of one’s life;
• nonmalefcence, or avoiding actions that cause harm;
• beneficence, or working for the good of the individual and society by promoting mental health and well-being;
• justice, or treating individuals equitably and fostering fairness and equality;
• fidelity, or honoring commitments and keeping promises, including fulfilling one’s responsibilities of trust in professional relationships; and
• veracity, or dealing truthfully with individuals with whom professionals’ contact.
  

This Foundation Code of Ethics establishes the minimum ethical behaviors for professionals certified by the iaedp^TM Foundation and candidates and provides an expectation of and assurance for ethical practice for all who use the professional services of persons credentialed by the iaedp^TM Foundation.

Central to the purpose of this Code of Ethics is the commitment to maintain behavioral standards that will be used to enforce required disclosure procedures and compliance concerns brought forward through complaints. The Code serves as the foundation of an effective and fair method for submitting complaints and disclosures for the protection of both the public and professionals.

The Foundation recognizes that ethical decision-making by eating disorder professionals exists within the context of the legal parameters and licensure requirements enacted by States, territories, and other jurisdictions.