Special Government Employee (SGE) Resources
Below are resources applicable to Special Government Employee (SGE):
SGE Annual Ethics Training
All SGEs are required to complete ethics training annually. If you have any questions regarding ethics training for SGEs, please contact an Ethics Specialist in the Office of Ethics and Integrity via email at FDA-Advisory-Committee-Ethics@fda.hhs.gov.
SGE Ethics Forms
Special Government employees (SGEs) must file a financial disclosure report (Form OGE 450), regardless of whether the committee met in any year. Compliance with this filing requirement safeguards the integrity of FDA’s advisory committee program and helps assure the public that the service you provide FDA is free of perceived conflicts of interests. Failure to do so may limit your ability to serve on the committee. FDA’s Office of Ethics and Integrity (OEI) services the ethics requirements for all SGEs serving on FDA advisory committees. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact an OEI Ethics Specialist at FDA-Advisory-Committee-Ethics@fda.hhs.gov.
- OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report
- SGE OGE 450 Instructions
Additional SGE Ethics Forms
- FDA-3410 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report for Special Government Employees
- HHS-697 Foreign Activities Questionnaire
Laws and Regulations
The Principles of Ethical Conduct were established by Executive Order 12674, modified by Executive Order 12731, as basic principles regarding the conduct of federal employees. It is important that federal employees observe these principles in order to promote confidence in the integrity of the federal government.
Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch
The Standards were developed by the Office of Government Ethics and set forth the basic obligation of public service. The standards contain regulations regarding matters such as conflicting financial interests, impartiality in performing official duties, and misuse of position.
HHS Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct
On February 3, 2005, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amended the Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct (5 CFR 5501) and Supplemental Financial Disclosure Requirements section
(5 CFR 5502), both effective on that date. On August 31, 2005, HHS published the Final Rule for both sections.
United States Code, Title 18 contains the criminal conflict of interest statutes applicable to employees in the executive branch of the government. Included in Title 18 is a prohibition against solicitation or receipt of bribes; a prohibition against acting as an agent or attorney before the government; post-employment restrictions; a prohibition against participating in matters affecting personal financial interest; and a prohibition against receiving supplementation of salary as compensation for government service.
Additional Resources
- “Ethics Rules for Advisory Committee Members and Other Individuals Appointed as Special Government Employees (SGEs)” an 11-page summary prepared by the HHS OGC Ethics Division.
- “Overview of the Ethics Rules for Special Government Employees Serving on Advisory Committees,” a brochure prepared by the HHS OGC Ethics Division.
- “To Serve with Honor,” a 16-page booklet for advisory committee members prepared by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in 2008.
- “The Ethical Choice: Ethics for Special Government Employees” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDnYTRATCrs.
For all other Advisory Committee or SGE related questions, please visit the Advisory Committee Oversight and Management Staff (ACOMS) website https://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/default.htm or contact ACOMS by phone at (301) 796-8220 or email at ACOMSsubmissions@FDA.HHS.gov.