Rule 10 : Standards of conduct

1.   The conduct of Members shall be characterised by mutual respect and shall be based on the values and principles laid down in the Treaties, and particularly in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Members shall respect Parliament’s dignity and shall not harm its reputation.

2.   Members shall not compromise the smooth conduct of parliamentary business and shall not compromise the maintenance of security and order on Parliament’s premises or the functioning of its equipment.

3.   Members shall not disrupt the good order of the Chamber and shall refrain from improper behaviour. They shall not display banners.

4.   In parliamentary debates in the Chamber, Members shall not resort to offensive language.

5.   Members shall comply with Parliament’s rules on the treatment of confidential information.

6.   Members shall refrain from any type of psychological or sexual harassment and shall respect the Code of appropriate behaviour for Members of the European Parliament in exercising their duties which is attached to these Rules of Procedure as an annex (1).

Members may not be elected as office-holders of Parliament or one of its bodies, be appointed as rapporteur or participate in an official delegation or interinstitutional negotiations, if they have not signed the declaration relating to that Code.

7.   Where a person working for a Member, or another person for whom the Member has arranged access to Parliament's premises or equipment, fails to comply with the standards of conduct set out in this Rule, this behaviour may, where appropriate, be imputable to the Member concerned.

8.   The application of this Rule shall not otherwise detract from the liveliness of parliamentary debates, nor shall it undermine Members' freedom of speech.

9.   This Rule shall apply, mutatis mutandis, in Parliament’s bodies, committees and delegations.