ARB publishes new Architects Code of Conduct and Practice, coming into effect September 2025

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) has today announced the publication of a new version of the Architects Code of Conduct and Practice, which sets out the professional standards expected of all registered architects in the UK. The updated Code will come into effect on 1 September 2025, replacing the current version that has been in place since 2017.

Alan Kershaw, ARB Chair said: 

“The new Code represents a significant step forward in defining what it means to be an architect today. It reflects the values that the public rightly expects of the profession, and provides a practical framework that will help architects make decisions with confidence and integrity. We strongly encourage all architects to view the new Code on the ARB website and to familiarise themselves with the new Standards before the Code comes into effect on 1 September.”

Under the Architects Act 1997, ARB is legally required to publish a code of conduct and practice for architects, and to keep that code under review. The new Code is based on six Standards that define professionalism for modern UK architects:

• Honesty and integrity
• Public interest
• Competence
• Professional practice
• Communication and collaboration
• Respect

Each Standard is underlined with examples of how architects can demonstrate their commitment to upholding it. ARB consulted on the new Code and Standards in 2024, and published its analysis of the consultation earlier this year. Each of the proposed Standards received strong support from consultation respondents, with the highest levels of agreement on ‘Honesty and integrity’ (agreed by 89% of respondents).

To support architects in interpreting and applying the new Code, ARB is also publishing supporting guidance addressing specific topics. Draft guidance is being published and consulted on in phases, and today ARB has made available the second tranche of draft guidance for consultation, covering the following topics:

• Managing Conflicts of Interest
• Managing Finances
• Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing

The consultation on this tranche will run for six weeks. The first tranche – covering Dealing with Complaints, Professional Indemnity Insurance, and Terms of Engagement – was consulted on earlier this year between 26 February and 9 April 2025.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Useful links

View the new Code 

View the current (2017) version of the Code 

View the Code consultation results 

View the tranche 2 guidance consultation 

View the Architects Act 1997 

About ARB

ARB is an independent professional regulator, established by Parliament as a statutory body, through the Architects Act, in 1997. We are accountable to government.

The law gives ARB a number of core functions:

• To ensure only those who are suitably competent are allowed to practise as architects. We do this by approving the architecture qualifications required to join the Register of architects.
• To maintain a publicly available Register of architects so anyone using the services of an architect can be confident that they are suitably qualified and are fit to practise.
• To set the standards of conduct and practice the profession must meet and take action when any architect falls below the required standards of conduct or competence.
• To set requirements for and monitor the continuous professional development that architects must undertake, to provide assurance to the public about the continuing competence of the profession.
• To protect the legally restricted title ‘architect’.

About the Code

ARB is required to set a Code of Conduct and Practice for architects under Section 13 of the Architects Act 1997. There will be times when architects must make difficult and proportionate decisions, and deal with conflicting or competing priorities. The Code is intended to aid their decision-making, and to act as a positive statement of what professionalism and ethics mean to the profession. The Code applies to all UK architects (wherever they practise and in whatever field), and the Code does not seek to repeat legal obligations or requirements set out in regulations or guidelines elsewhere.

ARB’s Professional Conduct Committee will take the Code into account in any disciplinary proceedings brought before it. However, not every failure to meet the Standards will give rise to disciplinary proceedings.

Why a new Code?

The last significant update to the Code was in 2011. Since then, major events such as the Grenfell Tower disaster, the climate emergency, and evolving attitudes towards equality, diversity, and inclusion have reshaped the regulatory landscape. The revised Code reflects these changes and aligns with contemporary public and professional expectations.

Background to the new Code

In September 2024, ARB published a draft Code of Conduct and Practice for consultation. This consultation closed in December 2024. ARB announced the results of this consultation in February 2025.

Media enquiries 

For more information please contact media@arb.org.uk.