ABSTRACT
This chapter recounts the development of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations’ (EFPA’s) Meta-Code of ethics, first approved in 1995, 2nd edition 2005. It was developed by an EFPA task force comprising leading psychologists from European psychological associations. This innovative transnational Meta-Code was created not as a common code for individual psychologists – this original aim was deemed problematic at the very start of the task force’s work – but as a means to guide national psychologists’ associations in how they should create their own code for their psychologists. The rationale for this unique initiative includes i) the need for ethical codes to be driven by universal principles but at the same time ii) the importance of recognising cultural variations across and within countries, and also over time. An historical account is presented of the task force’s work, the resilience and usefulness of the Meta-Code over 25 years, and of developmental work based on the Meta-Code in training and development activities, including developing investigatory and disciplinary systems. The Meta-Code is now used as the template with which the codes of ethics of the 37 EFPA member national associations across Europe are required to be compliant. Key words: Meta-Code of ethics; European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations; transnational ethical guidance psychologists
