Codes of Practice

Posted by SkillMaker in Sep, 2019

What is meant by code of practice?

Codes of practice are ‘rules of best behaviour’ for business. They address a range of circumstances, describing how business personnel should interact with consumers or the community.
Codes of practice describe standards against which a business can self-regulate. They provide a base against which consumers can frame their expectations. This helps to foster consumer confidence.
A code of practice may be specific to the operations and products or services of a single business or industry, reflecting its particular ethos and mission.
Many codes are voluntary, sometimes promoted by an industry association or government agency. Others, however, are compulsory, particularly when dealing with duty of care in respect to issues such as workplace health and safety, working with children or animals, or fair trading. Their adherence is stipulated in government legislation.
All businesses should know which codes of practice apply to their area of operations and be aware of new developments. It is incumbent on employers to ensure their staff are aware, too, and implement training.

Additional information

What is a code of practice in the workplace?

View the following video to learn more about changes to one mandatory code of practice— the Code of Practice for the Employment of Children in Entertainment, produced by the Victorian Government:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEXsQw7FHnY
See also the codes of practice that apply for people in Queensland who have workplace health and safety duties:
https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/codes-of-practice