LACNIC Code of Ethics
Introduction
LACNIC is the organization charged with managing Internet number resources for Latin America and the Caribbean. It is committed to excellence, leadership, being part of and serving the community, development, fairness, participation and honesty.
Purpose
LACNIC's Code of Ethics describes the core values and policies governing the activities of the organization. It provides a framework and guiding principles on professional conduct in five different areas:
- Responsibilities
- Representation before third parties
- Fair treatment
- Confidentiality
- Conflicts of Interest
Scope
This Code of Ethics applies to all LACNIC employees, managers and members of the Board, regardless of their rank and geographic or functional location. This code extends to LACNIC members and suppliers in cases where so specified.
Responsibilities
Compliance with legal standards and internal regulations
LACNIC, its employees, managers and members of the Board must observe and respect the legislation in force in the countries where it operates, as well as the internal rules or regulations applicable to any activities performed.
Internal regulations include the LACNIC Community Code of Conduct and any update or new version of said document.
Intellectual Property
Any intellectual creation generated or developed by employees, managers and board members in the exercise of their role or position at LACNIC shall be the property of LACNIC or of its designee, to whom all property rights and corresponding rights of use will be assigned.
Protection of assets and resources
Employees, managers and board members shall always act in LACNIC's best interest, safeguarding and making proper use of the assets and resources belonging to the organization and which are under their control, preventing their use for personal gain or the benefit of third parties, or in actions that may result in damages.
Accuracy and protection of information
LACNIC records, maintains, respects and adequately protects all information and data generated, used and handled in its operations in a manner that is rigorous, precise, accurate, complete and in accordance with all applicable rules and principles.
Representation before third parties
Reputation, public appearances, interviews and publications
All communications from and regarding LACNIC shall be made by members of its Board of Directors, its executive director, or their designees.
Any information disclosed should not affect the rights of others or pose risks to LACNIC, its members, suppliers, employees, managers, or board members.
Suppliers
LACNIC acquires all goods and services required for its activities on the basis of price and quality, fostering relationships based on mutual respect, fairness and transparency, and avoiding exclusive relationships except in special circumstances expressly authorized by the Board or by the executive director.
Fair treatment
LACNIC promotes fair treatment and guarantees all its members, suppliers, employees, managers and board members the exercise of their rights.
Discrimination
LACNIC does not tolerate any type of discriminatory treatment, including but not limited to discrimination based on: gender, race, nationality, social origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, ideology, political opinion, religion, mental or physical ability, or any other personal, physical or social condition of its members, suppliers, employees, managers, or members of its Board of Directors.
Harassment
LACNIC promotes a work environment and third-party relationships that are free of violence, physical, sexual, psychological, moral, or any other type of harassment, and free of abuse of authority or other conduct which might intimidate or offend the rights of its members, suppliers, employees, managers, or board members.
Confidentiality
LACNIC agrees not to reveal any confidential information about its members, suppliers, employees, managers or board members.
This obligation shall extend to employees, managers and board members even after their relationship with LACNIC has ended.
Conflicts of Interest
Commercial transactions with privileged information
LACNIC employees and managers with access to relevant, privileged and non-public information shall not transact in securities or financial instruments affected by this information, or advise others to do so, or transmit the contents thereof, except in the strict exercise of their professional duties.
Conflicts of interests
LACNIC employees, managers and board members must always act so that their personal interests, those of their family members or other third parties do not take precedence over those of LACNIC.
In case of conflicts of interests or situations involving such conflicts, LACNIC employees, managers and board members shall:
- Immediately notify and seek guidance as appropriate from their supervisor or the collective body to which they report
- Act in loyalty to LACNIC at all times
- Refrain from participating in or influencing negotiations, contracts or decisions which may affect LACNIC
- Refrain from accessing or disclosing confidential information that applies to ongoing negotiations, contracts or decisions
Investments
LACNIC employees and managers shall not invest in public or private organizations, whether partners or suppliers, if such investments could affect their ability to make impartial decisions.
Incompatible activities and functions
LACNIC employees and managers shall refrain from providing services or performing functions, whether paid or unpaid, in other organizations whose activities are at odds with the purpose of
LACNIC or imply conflicts of interest, unless expressly authorized by the Board or by the executive director.
Teaching activities are excluded from the above stipulation.
Use of the LACNIC name, facilities and relationships
LACNIC employees, managers and board members shall not use LACNIC's name, facilities or contacts for personal gain.
Commercial transactions with third parties
LACNIC employees and managers shall report to the Board or to the executive director any commercial transaction or business relationship they may have with any LACNIC member or provider in which they are an interested party or from which they may benefit; such transaction or relationship may involve a conflict of interests.
Administration
LACNIC's Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct are interpreted and enforced by the Ethics Committee, which is authorized to handle cases that are beyond the authority of LACNIC operational staff. This committee is made up of a member of the Fiscal Commission, the executive director, and a member of the Board. When necessary, the latter may appoint an additional member to replace the executive director. Likewise, the committee may delegate any cases it considers appropriate to the executive director, who in such cases will have the authority to interpret and enforce this Code.
Follow-up
Any suspected breach or violation of this Code shall be brought to the attention of the Ethics Committee at comite-etica [at] lacnic [.] net or to any of its members. LACNIC guarantees the confidentiality of the information, and of the person submitting said information, and will respond within five (5) business days.
Members, suppliers, employees, managers or board members who report suspected breaches or violations of this Code shall not be subject to retaliation or earn rewards for reporting these situations.
Consequences in case of non-compliance
The breach or violation of this Code will result in the application of disciplinary measures, including dismissal or termination of employment, and may potentially constitute violations of the legal regulations in force and be subject to civil or criminal prosecution.
Validity
The LACNIC Code of Ethics* was approved at the LACNIC Board meeting held in Quito, Ecuador on 6 May 2012. The Code became effective from that date.
It was reviewed and approved at the Board meeting held in Montevideo, Uruguay on 18 September 2017, and then updated at the meeting held on 20 August 2019.
*This document was originally titled “Code of Ethics.” However, the name of the document was changed to “Code of Conduct” because this was considered more appropriate.
