Code of Ethics

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) expects all governance members, employees, members, volunteers and guests (including exhibitors and sponsors) to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. To ensure a strong and successful organization, our activities require honesty and equity and should reflect well on the society. In the spirit of promoting Environmental Quality Through Science®, all participants should strive to be good stewards of environmental resources and effective and objective contributors to the environmental discussion globally as well as locally.

Professional behavior and integrity are also expected of every attendee (members and non-members alike) of SETAC meetings, workshops and activities (including sponsors and exhibitors), and all authors of material in SETAC journals, books or other publications.

Each member and all persons participating in SETAC meetings and activities (including sponsors and exhibitors), and all authors of material in SETAC journals, books or other publications, are bound by this Code of Ethics and should:

  • Conduct themselves and their work responsibly and with integrity, in an objective, lawful and non-discriminatory manner
  • Observe the spirit of the tripartite structure of SETAC, including professionals from academia, government and industry, by respecting the rights, interests and contributions of professional colleagues
  • Observe the spirit of research integrity as explained in the SETAC Declaration on Research Integrity
  • Refrain from practicing or condoning harassment of any kind
  • Objectively and clearly communicate scientific methods, understanding and knowledge in an honest, professional and unbiased manner
  • Ensure that presentations during society-sponsored events and other communications are restricted to and based on sound scientific principles and made in a respectful manner
  • Respect intellectual property and provide appropriate attribution for all intellectual property arising elsewhere
  • Disclose potential conflicts of interest
  • Not knowingly make false or misleading statements or engage in activities that could be viewed as defamatory about a professional colleague or an organization
  • Recognize and respect confidentiality while being honest and forthcoming in all issues of public record
  • Refrain from representing themselves as spokespersons for SETAC without the express authorization by the executive director in charge
  • Conduct research and related activities so as to avoid or minimize adverse environmental effects of that research and ensure compliance with legal requirements for protection of researchers, human subjects, and research organisms and systems