The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has today (2 July) released an updated Code of Conduct, alongside associated procedures, which should remove and clarify “some ambiguities” within former iterations, according to its committee chair.

The revised Code of Conduct, developed by the newly-appointed PRCA Standards committee, updates and replaces the PRCA Professional Charter and the PRCA Health Public Relations and Communications Code of Conduct.

PRCA’s standards committee chair, Iain Christie said: "The new Code clarifies those standards and removes some ambiguities that existed in the previous Charter and Health Code of Conduct.

“The new procedures make it much clearer how complaints will be investigated and decided upon and bring fair process to complaints under all the PRCA’s Codes.” Christie added that the revisions will make it “easier” for the new professional standards to be upheld by PRCA.

PRCA now claims the Code provides “clear standards of professional behaviour” and expectations of its members, which now applies to professional and associate members. It also features additional obligations for company members.

PRCA’s CEO, James Hewes said: “By providing clearer guidelines and a more transparent process, it will be easier for the PRCA to uphold and enforce the highest professional standards within the industry. This will not only benefit our members but also ensure that the public can have greater confidence in our industry’s ethical practices."

It has also introduced a new method for handling complaints, which will be overseen by the Standards Committee, and will apply to complaints made under the Public Affairs Code.