The founding members believed that this was necessary, as "Engineer" can be used by anyone in the UK, whether or not trained or experienced.
The Society is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England, and its Memorandum and Articles of Association were approved by the UK Government's former Department of Trade and Industry, now Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Its legal objects are:[2] In September 2018 the SPEng(UK) was absorbed by the UK Institution of Engineering and Technology-UK IET The Society keeps a register of persons who subscribe to the Society and who, in the eyes of the Society, 'have proved their competence and can be accurately described as Professional Engineers', awarding them the 'PEng MSPE' (member) or 'PEng FSPE' (fellow) designation according to qualifications and experience[3] Getting in is tough, but can prove rewarding if trying to excel in areas such as proving an invention.
The SPEng (or SPE) has signed a Mutual Agreement with the Société Nationale des Ingénieurs Professionnels de France (SNIPF)[4][5][6][7] SNIPF is a French Professional Engineering body recognised by the European Commission for issuing certificates of competence to French Professional Engineers.
The SPEng (UK) was absorbed by the IET (Institution of Engineering & Technology) in July 2018.