NATIONAL PAINT, OIL AND VARNISH ASSOCIATION NATIONAL VARNISH MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION PAINT MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION OF THE U.S. Joint code, adopted October 1923, with the necessary changes in wording: CODE OF ETHICS Whereas, The National Paint, Oil and Varnish Association, Inc., is an organization operating for the mutual benefit of the industry and the public; and Whereas, The object of this association shall be to promote the welfare of its members, and to strengthen fraternal and social relations among the manufacturers and jobbers of paints, oils, varnishes and kindred interests; to remove evils and customs contrary to sound business principles and ethics, and to the end that all differences and grievances may be fairly and equitably adjusted; and Whereas, The association shall not be used, directly or indirectly, as a means of restricting free and lawful competition; and Whereas, This association, through the frank and lawful co-operation of its members, at all times endeavors to correct trade customs which are contrary to sound business principles and to the highest standard of ethics; and Whereas, Experience has shown that formal codes of ethics embodying correct standards for business relations are essential to the development and orderly conduct of every trade or profession; and Whereas, Each vocation requires a code especially adapted to its own requirements setting forth definite and concise rules of conduct to govern in the mutual relations of its individual components; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That this Association adopt as a rule and guide for the conduct of its members in their business relations, one to another, a standard Code of Ethics; and be it further Resolved, That the following Code of Ethics be now adopted, subject to such additions or changes as may, from time to time, be determined upon: We, members of the National Paint, Oil and Varnish Association, Inc., recognizing our responsibilities and obligations to promote the public welfare, and to maintain honorable, fair and friendly relations among men, do pledge ourselves: 1. To compete always with fairness and honesty, seeking patronage on merit and service; to refrain from false, derogatory reference, written, oral or printed, to competitors or their products; and from the circulation of harmful rumors regarding such competitors' products or their personal or financial reputation; to strive, by sincere and intelligent co-operation with our competitors, in all lawful ways to increase the efficiency and service to the public of the industry as a whole; to base our advertising exclusively on the merit of our own products and the value of our own service, without false, derogatory reference to the products of competitors or misleading comparisons therewith. 2. To be guided by a spirit of justice, honor and fairness, in all our relations with members of the allied trades, realizing that the standard of ethics maintained in our industry must vitally affect the standard observed in associated industries; to encourage the adoption by the allied trades of similar codes as guides to govern their practices; and to discourage unfair trade practices in those trades, even though such practices might, at times, be to our own immediate advantage. 3. To represent our products truthfully in advertising, labeling and branding; avoiding therein all false or misleading statements or descriptions. 4. To avoid and actively strive to prevent all forms of commercial bribery or corruption by members of this Association and by the industry in general; and to this end we pledge our support to the Federal Trade Commission in locating and prosecuting individuals guilty of such practices. 5. To adhere faithfully to the rules of conduct herein set forth and to inspire our fellow members to do likewise, believing that the Golden Rule is the only safe guide of conduct in the relations among men. Any charge of violation of this Code shall be referred by the President of the National Paint, Oil and Varnish Association, Inc., to the Executive Committee for careful consideration and appropriate action. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PAINT DISTRIBUTORS Adopted February 1924: CODE OF ETHICS Whereas: Being desirous of rendering the most efficient service to the ultimate consumer, and of increasing the mutual efficiency of both the Manufacturer and the Distributor to the end that unfair methods, inimical to sound business ethics be eliminated, we do adopt the following resolution: Whereas: It is desired that Distributors of Paints and Varnishes who are members as well as prospective members may know more accurately what the aforesaid Preamble contemplates, therefore be it Resolved: That the National Association of Paint Distributors adopt this Code of Business Ethics as a standard for the conduct of its members. 1. Our Slogan, "A Square Deal All Around for the Manufacturer, Distributor, Dealer and Consumer" means that the quality of merchandise shall always be truthfully stated, and that there shall be no misrepresentation of any kind. 2. That the Distributor will give the Manufacturer honest service and complete co-operation in the distribution of his goods, and that the Manufacturers shall render their proportion of service in the quality of their goods, trade helps, and intelligent co-operation. 3. That the Dealer trade will be served by the same standard of quality and service the Distributor requires from the Manufacturer, so that the merchandise may reach the Consumer at the least possible cost. 4. That bribery in any form shall be discountenanced, and any violations be reported to the Association. 5. That Federal and State Laws shall be honestly upheld and supported. 6. That all sales arguments and advertising shall be based upon the quality and service rendered by each Distributor, without misleading statements about competitors' goods. 7. That members of the Association will endeavor to eliminate bad business practices and strive to promote sound policies, so the Consumer will receive honest treatment. 8. That the Distributor is entitled to proper compensation for service rendered. 9. That members will endeavor to cut down unnecessary expenses, classify their stocks into staples or warehouse stocks. and specialties or shelf stocks, so that each class of merchandise shall bear its own relation to the cost of doing business. PAINTING AND DECORATING MASTER HOUSE PAINTERS AND DECORATORS Adopted June 1924: CODE OF ETHICS 1. That I shall do everything within my power to elevate the craft. 2. That I consider the painting business I represent as being of a high and dignified profession and worthy of highest consideration. 3. That in all my business dealings with my clients I will be strictly honest, endeavoring at all times to give the highest quality of work, commensurate with the conditions of the particular work in hand. 4. That I believe I am entitled to a fair remuneration for my services and for the services of my employees. 5. That I will endeavor to elevate my employees, increase our efficiency and enlarge my opportunities for our mutual advantages, and wish no success that is not founded on full justice and morality. 6. That I will endeavor to pay my bills promptly, that my own credit and the credit of my association may be well established. PAPER, WHOLESALE THE NATIONAL PAPER TRADE ASSOCIATION Adopted April 1924: CODE OF ETHICS The National Paper Trade Association recognizes that the high ethical standards now prevailing in the paper merchandizing business are directly attributable to an individual adherence to the principles herein below stated, and believes that the restatement and promulgation of these principles will perpetuate the present high ideals. FIRST: I will act honorably in my business of paper merchant, and conform in all things to the highest standards in the industrial world, so that my business shall be worthy of my devotion and ideals. SECOND: I will conduct my business so that it shall compel the respect and confidence of all who trade with me. THIRD: I will not bear false witness against my fellow merchant and competitor, nor belittle him, nor impugn his honor, nor covet his success. FOURTH: I will deal fairly and courteously with customers, neither misleading them by false promises, nor misusing the confidence which I gain. FIFTH: I will seek the co-operation and good will of the manufacturers, and by treating them with fairness and by fulfilling my obligations to them, gain their faith and trust. SIXTH: I will be just to my employees, seek to earn their respect and loyalty, and inspire them to the practice of these principles. SEVENTH: I will conform to trade customs that are honorable, and keep faith with my trade associations when their principles are constructive and tend to the advancement of the paper industry. EIGHTH: I will do unto others as I would they would do unto me, for by my deeds will I elevate all business practices. |