Rule 6 – Control of Work Product
A member who performs professional services shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such services are not used to mislead other parties or to violate or evade the law.
Helping ensure professional services are used as intended
Actuaries must take steps to help ensure that the results of their work can’t be taken out of context and used in ways that weren’t intended. Rule 6 asks members to act responsibly and take steps to prevent the information and advice resulting from professional services provided from being misused.
“As actuaries, we can’t always control what other people do with our work. But we need to at least try to prevent it from being taken out of context or being used for purposes we never intended. We can often prevent misuse through clarity in our work product and identifying the audience, the purpose, as well as the limitations of our work.”
— Yeh Ching Seto, FCIA
Why Rule 6 is important
Puts a focus on accountability
Members are expected to act responsibly to help ensure the results of their professional services are not used by unintended parties or for unintended purposes.
Reduces likelihood of misuse by non-experts
Members have a duty to mitigate misuse where possible by taking steps such as including disclaimers, limitations and guidance with reports or advice.
Upholds the profession’s reputation
Reducing the risks of liability if work is misused for fraudulent, misleading or harmful purposes helps protect the reputation of the entire profession.
Builds trust
A commitment to ethical outcomes shows clients and stakeholders that members care about more than just producing work, but also its impact and consequences.
Provides a basis for disciplinary action
Provides CIA with a basis to carry out disciplinary action if negligence on the part of members leads to harm.
What Rule 6 means for members
You have a professional responsibility
You have a responsibility that extends beyond just producing the work. You must also consider its impact and the possibility of misuse.
Be clear and transparent about intended use
Make sure your reports are clear and presented fairly. Always state the intended purpose of your work, who was involved in authoring it, who it was intended for, and when it was conducted.
Take steps to safeguard your work from misuse
Protect data and documents as much as possible. Take reasonable precautions to avoid portions of a report being obtained, providing context, clarifications and disclaimers.
Recognize the potential risks of misuse
As a member, you must realize there are real risks with real potential consequences when your work is misquoted, misinterpreted or otherwise used in ways it was not intended.
