I'd take a white paper to be a statement of opinion implying no professional responsibility whatsoever. Quite similar to a published research paper or a journal article. Perhaps even less weighty than those owing to the less rigorous requirements for peer review. Sounds to me like you're in judgment-land.

Can we see this white paper?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

KootK (Structural,
Ha that's the issue. The consulting company has asked handful money for a white paper. The white paper is not prepared to us yet.
I wanted to explore the legality and soundness of the document to decide if is worth it to grant them the work

Well, if the other guys are experts at what they do, then I'd say that holds some water. Still though, it's still your stamp on everything all the live long day.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

I only know that term to refer to reports made by, or commissioned by, governments.

I have found that a white paper is merely an (usually unpublished) article on a technical topic. In other words, the author puts in out there for all to read, but it may or may not be in a printed trade publication. As with any article, you should consider the source and take it with a grain of salt. Unless it is signed and sealed, I would think it has no legal standing. As for you taking action based on information from a white paper, I think it comes down to the standard of care in terms of what is generally accepted by the engineering community. Did you find some obscure "white paper" on the internet or was it a white paper endorsed by a respected professional organization or written by a widely known and accepted expert in the field? If publishing wrong information was illegal, we would not have the internet!

Like the others have said: I'd take just about any white paper with a grain of salt. In many instances, companies just have them on their web site as marketing tools. (In part to get them to show up in on-line searches.)

They are typically too nebulous to run with anyway.

...even with technical papers, I read them, and then use my own judgement.

Dik

Is the structural issue a safety issue? Is the consultant a PE? If yes to both, then the consultant is behaving unethically, essentially withholding his duty-bound responsibility to public safety for cash.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
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IRS:
We don't know if he is 'selling out'. It may be an opinion of a PE, or some other tekkie... and if he's an expert (at least in law) the value of his opinion has weight, and, greater weight if he is a recognised expert.

Even with experts, I weigh the information and use my own judgement...

Dik