What is the main role of a professional association in the context of ethical standards?

The main role of a professional association concerning ethical standards is the creation of disciplinary procedures for misconduct. Professional associations are dedicated to upholding the integrity and ethical practices within a profession. To this end, they establish a code of ethics that members are expected to adhere to, and they implement disciplinary procedures to address violations of these standards. This helps maintain the professionalism of the industry, protects the public, and ensures that members are held accountable for their actions.

While other options relate to the functions of professional associations, they do not specifically address the role of maintaining ethical standards. For instance, establishing qualifications for membership is more about ensuring competence and legitimacy, rather than directly addressing ethical behaviors. Similarly, providing financial support for projects and setting pricing standards concern financial and operational aspects of the profession rather than ethical conduct itself. Therefore, the creation of disciplinary procedures is a direct mechanism through which professional associations enforce ethical standards and foster a commitment to integrity among their members.