Strengthening Your Ethics Muscle: With Few Exceptions, Endorsements Are Prohibited

One of the bedrock principles of ethics is that public service is a public trust. Among other things, this requires us to be responsible stewards of public resources and to avoid using our public office for personal gain or the private gain of others. One such example of this would be the use of your position at the Department of the Interior to make endorsements.  

The Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch prohibit employees from using  or permitting the use of their Government position or title, or any authority associated with their public office, to endorse any product service or enterprise, unless:

• in furtherance of a statutory authority to promote products, services, or enterprises;

• as a result of documentation of compliance with agency requirements or standards; or

• as the result of recognition for achievement given under an agency program of recognition for accomplishment in support of the agency’s mission.

Endorsements in the Course of Official Duty: In the context of your official capacity, the statutory authorities and programs of recognition vary widely across the bureaus and officers. Always contact your ethics official prior to making any official statements that could be construed as an endorsement of any product, service or enterprise.

Endorsements in your personal capacity: While we are generally free to promote or make endorsements in our personal capacity, we must never use or allow the use of our position, title, authority or other agency affiliation to endorse or promote any product service or enterprise. Therefore, you must never use your title, position, agency affiliation, or authority when promoting or endorsing. Furthermore, you should avoid making endorsements whenever the circumstances are such that a reasonable person would be likely to construe your statements as representing the position of the Department of the Interior or the Government.

So it is smart to contact your agency ethics official prior to making any official statements that could be construed as an endorsement of any product, service or enterprise!