Global code of ethics

The Art of People c&c follows the International Code of Ethical Conduct of the professional body NOBCO | EMCC Global. Use of this code safeguards the professionalism of professional coaches. The description serves as a guideline for the professional functioning of coaches.

NEW update: the Global Code of Ethics published in February 2026

The Global Code of Ethics has been renewed. Each discipline is proportionally represented and the shared values are more inclusive:

'The revised Global Code of Ethics:

• Is more relatable to practitioners and equally represents coaching, mentoring, and supervision
• Responds to emerging needs and developments within our professions
• Is more firmly anchored in shared professional values
• Is designed to be globally inclusive, recognising cultural diversity and different professional contexts.

This revision has been a truly collective journey, ensuring that the Code remains relevant, practical, and meaningful for professionals and stakeholders worldwide.

The Code was initially created in February 2016 by two professional associations — the Association for Coaching (‘AC’) and EMCC Global — and has since been formally supported by a growing number of professional membership bodies worldwide, which have become signatories. The current list of signatories can be found later in this email and also on the Global Code of Ethics website.

International Code of Ethical Conduct

As of 1 January 2017, the Global Code of Ethics (GCE) of EMCC Global is in force. For the Netherlands, NOBCO translated the GCE and added a preamble, creating the International Code of Ethical Conduct used in the Netherlands.

All professional coaches wishing to join NOBCO must sign a declaration that they will work as a professional coach in accordance with the Code, and that in the event of complaints they will submit to the associated complaints regulations.
This code of ethics indicates what careful practice may be expected in coaching and mentoring, and promotes the development of excellence in coaching and mentoring, with the aim of:

• Providing all our coaches with appropriate guidelines, responsibilities and binding rules of conduct
• Setting out how our coaches are expected to act, behave and perform in their work with clients
• In conjunction with the professional competencies of EMCC, giving direction to the professional development and growth of our coaches
• Serving as a guide for those who do not so much consider themselves a professional coach or mentor, but who do use coaching or mentoring skills in their work.

Where coaches fall short of these expectations and guidelines in their work with clients, the Code will be used as the basis for handling complaints and taking disciplinary measures under our complaints procedure; see the Complaints Regulations for this.

The Code is made up of the following sections:
1. Preamble
NOBCO assumes that:
a. the coachee ultimately knows best what is good for them and can decide, in both their private and professional life, on the basis of their own considerations, what they do or do not want. Consequently, the coachee is also responsible for the choices they make, and is personally accountable for their behaviour.
b. the coachee and the coach are entirely equal, in the sense that both are unique and complete people, full of possibilities
c. during coaching, the goals, means and choices of the coachee take priority over those of the coach.
2. Working with clients
Section 2 covers context, contracting, integrity, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and the ending of professional relationships & ongoing responsibilities of us as coaches towards our coachees.
3. Professional conduct
Section 3 describes how we uphold the reputation of coaching and mentoring, the recognition of equality and diversity, breaches of professional conduct, and which legal and statutory obligations form part of professional conduct as a coach.
4. Excellent professional practice
How we as coaches keep ourselves sharp is discussed in section 4; the ability to perform, having ongoing supervision/peer consultation, and continuously following professional development and reflection are conditions for our NOBCO/EMCC membership.

View the complete International Code of Ethical Conduct here