Development of the Code of Ethics
The MA has acted as the guardian of UK museum ethics since the first Codes of Practice and Conduct were introduced in 1977. These were updated in 1987, 1991, 2002, 2007 and 2015.
The MA conducted a review of the Code of Ethics in full consultation with the sector between 2023 and 2025.
The aim of the review was for the code to better reflect changes in the sector and society since the last review in 2014-2015.
In July 2023, the MA openly recruited the Code of Ethics review working group to:
- review and assess the effectiveness of the Code of Ethics
- support consultation with the wider sector on the effectiveness of the code
- make recommendations for any suggested amendments to the code, or for any additional guidance, to the Ethics Committee and the MA board.
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Consultation during the review included:
- a sector-wide online survey
- four sector-wide online consultation events on the themes of anti-racism and decolonisation, collections, climate justice, and workforce and governance
- engagement with key sector bodies and Accreditation partners
- an online consultation event with community partners of museums
- consensus building workshops led by Janet Marstine, former MA Ethics Committee member and retired associate professor of museum studies at the University of Leicester.
The Code of Ethics and the law
All museums are bound by national laws and international conventions. The Code of Ethics for Museums defines standards that are often higher than those required by law. However, the code cannot override the legal obligations and rights of those who work in or for museums, including those arising from any contractual relationship with an employer, donor or client.
The Code of Ethics is subordinate to the legal powers and obligations of museum governing bodies and the legal powers and obligations of individual members of such bodies. However, the MA believes this code’s provisions to be in the best interests of the sector and the public and therefore urges all museum governing bodies (and where appropriate, subsidiary, subcontracted or delegated bodies such as executive committees, contractors or managing bodies) to respect it.
The Code of Ethics and other voluntary standards
Ethical standards in this document help to underpin the Accreditation scheme for museums in the UK at an organisational level. Accreditation is administered by Arts Council England in partnership with the Welsh Government, Museums Galleries Scotland and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. Consult the Arts Council guidance documents for further information.
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The MA supports the work of specialist organisations and networks in the UK whose members are involved in museum work and who may produce their own codes of ethics and ethical guidelines. The MA can help in cross-referencing to these codes and guidelines and in referring enquirers to appropriate sources of specialist advice.
The MA supports ICOM’s work and works closely with ICOM UK. We aim for the Code of Ethics for Museums to be consistent with the Code of Ethics for Museums worldwide produced by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). However, at the time of publishing this document, the ICOM review of its Code of Ethics is ongoing and its outcome unknown.