Honorary president: Judith Butcher Honorary vice-president: David Crystal OBE

Media release: 18 October 2005

The SfEP issues a revised Code of Practice

The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) has recently published a revised version of its Code of Practice (CoP). It provides a useful resource for all editors, proofreaders and project managers, whether working in-house or freelance, as well as their clients. The new CoP is endorsed by the SfEP Council, and although it is not a legal document, it is considered binding on members and associates.

This timely update of the CoP takes into account changes in professional and business practices, and within the Society itself, since its first publication in 1995. A team of experienced editors from a range of backgrounds and specialisms worked with project manager Mary Korndorffer to revise the existing document completely.

Mary says: 'The purpose of the Code of Practice is to establish and maintain standards of best practice for members and associates of the SfEP and to encourage good professional relationships. Good communication between client and supplier is essential – the CoP discusses the merits of clear briefing and agreement of terms to ensure that both parties are able to maintain the high standards expected.'

Methods of working have changed considerably since 1995, and the CoP now includes not only sections on professional behaviour of both supplier and client, and standards of proofreading, editing and project management, but also information on website editing, electronic file handling, email etiquette, confidentiality and computer security.

Editor's notes

1. The Code of Practice can be downloaded from the SfEP website.
2. Journalists looking for informed comment on issues such as the use of language or on editing or proofreading should contact Louise Third at Integra Communications in the first instance on 0115 906 1377, .
3. The SfEP is a non-profit-distributing organization (formally, a company limited by guarantee) with the twin aims of:
   • encouraging high standards of editing and proofreading
   • upholding the professional status of editors and proofreaders.
   It has about 1,300 members and associates (mostly in the UK), providing a wide range of editorial services to the publishing community and beyond. In addition, more than 40 publishing companies and other organizations have become corporate associates of the SfEP.

To top