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• Code of Ethics
• Core Values

CFESA Business Code of Ethics

FIRST

Members will conduct their individual businesses in a manner to insure the good will and confidence of the public whom they serve.

SECOND

Service agency members will represent manufacturers in an honest and intelligent manner so as to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding and best serve their combined interests.

THIRD

Members shall not participate in misleading or false advertisements in the representation of their individual businesses.

FOURTH

Members shall maintain financial and liability responsibility. They will be able to complete properly and uphold their guarantee on any work they undertake.

FIFTH

Service agency members shall maintain adequate equipment and qualified personnel so as to perform quality service to the public and the trade for fair, equitable and non-discriminatory charges.

SIXTH

Members shall not perform, or cause to be performed any act which would tend to reflect adversely on our industry, fellow members, competitors or manufacturers.

SEVENTH

Members shall comply both in spirit and letter with rules and regulations prescribed by law and government agencies for the health, safety and provision of their employees and the public.

EIGHTH

A member will not entice unfairly to their own employ any employee of another member. They will assist other members and competition where possible so as to upgrade our industry and warrant continued public confidence.

NINTH

Members shall support the sale and use of original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) parts in accordance with their manufacturer's contracts.

CFESA Code of Ethics Preamble

Why have a “Code of Ethics?”

To define accepted/acceptable behaviors:

To promote high standards of practice:

To provide a benchmark for members to use for self evaluation:

To establish a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities:

As a mark of occupational maturity.

The availability of these procedures for formal determinations of ethics complaints should not discourage Members or any aggrieved person from attempting to resolve disputes through informal methods. Voluntary settlement of disputes is almost always quicker than pursuing a formal complaint and often obtains a result more satisfactory to the parties. Communication and reasoned discussion to resolve disputes is always encouraged.
Approved August 27, 2006

CFESA Code of Ethics Complaint Process

A. Complaints may be filed against CFESA members for violations of the CFESA Code of Ethics.

B. The complaint must be filed in writing and addressed to the Executive Director. The complaint must contain the following language as the final paragraph of the complaint. The complaint must be signed by the complainant, stating their title, along with the Owner of the company if not the same person.

“I declare that to the best of my (our) knowledge and belief, my (our) allegations in this complaint are true. I agree not to hold CFESA or any member of the Executive committee or board, liable for the outcome of said complaint. I also understand that a copy of this complaint and any documentation submitted to support the complaint will be submitted to the alleged violating member for response.”

The Executive Director will distribute the complaint to the committee for handling. Any member of the Executive committee or Board, whose company is involved in a case before the committee, will be excused from any involvement with the committee or the Board on the matter.

C. The complaint shall include the following information:

a. Description of the violation and specific point of the code that was violated.

b. Documentation (proof) of the violation.

D. The committee shall review the complaint and determine if it has merit or not. If it does they will follow the process set out in remainder of this document. If it does not, they will notify the complainant with an explanation of the reasoning why.

E. The complaint, having been found to have merit, shall be copied and sent to the person alleged to have committed the infraction. They shall be given 15 calendar days in which to respond IN WRITING to the complaint. The response shall include all supporting documentation. Failure to respond within the prescribed period of time may result in a disciplinary action.

F. The complainant should then receive a copy of the response from the alleged offending party and given 15 calendar days to respond in writing. (This needs to be handled in a manner which maintains a tone of neutrality, not presuming innocence or guilt of either party)

G. A copy of the complaint and the two responses shall be sent to the CFESA Executive Committee for review. Upon due consideration, the Executive Committee will render its opinion to the CFESA Board of Directors. All decisions involving a complaint shall be based on factual information presented to the Executive Committee. The opinion of the Executive Committee, the complaint and the two responses will be submitted to CFESA’s legal counsel for review prior to the special meeting of the Board of Directors.

H. At the next scheduled meeting or by a special meeting called by the Board President, the Board shall rule on the complaint and these findings shall be reported immediately to all concerned parties.

Approved August 27, 2006

CFESA Code of Ethics Disciplinary Action

A. Disciplinary action may be in the form of a warning, suspension or revocation of certification or membership in CFESA.

B. Disciplinary action shall be determined and imposed by the CFESA Board of Directors.

C. Three actions may be recommended to the Board by the Executive Committee:

Censure:

An official reprimand in the form of a letter expressing the disapproval of the association. Describing the findings of the committee, the violator is requested to cease immediately the action that is in violation of the Code of Ethics.

Suspension:

Temporary removal from the CFESA Membership Directory/website for a period of less than five years.

Expulsion:

Removal from the CFESA Membership Directory/website for a period of five or more years.

Approved August 27, 2006

CFESA Code of Ethics Appeal Process

A. Either party to the dispute has 15 days after receiving written notice of the Board of Directors’ decision, to file IN WRITING an appeal. New facts or evidence must be brought forward, or a new way of explaining/understanding the case has to be brought forward for the appeal to be heard. Repeating the same evidence or arguments will not be sufficient to be heard. The appeal must be filed with the Executive Director.

B. The Executive Director must transmit the request for appeal to the CFESA Executive Committee who will promptly decide whether the appeal has merit. If the Committees’ decision is not to hear the appeal, a notification is sent to the appellant stating such and giving the reason. This action is final. If the committee accepts to consider the appeal, they must;

a. Inform both parties to the dispute that an appeal has been filed and will be heard.

b. Send a copy of the appeal to both parties.

C. The committee may ask for additional information or discussion and may conduct conference calls with one or both parties, as they deem necessary.

D. The committee has 15 days from the day it is forwarded to them by the Executive Director to review the case.

E. The committee will present their findings to the CFESA Board of Directors. The Board will render a final decision in writing and will send this to both parties involved in the dispute. This decision cannot be appealed.