Ethical Sponsorship Policy

In the interest of transparency, the RCPE has developed an Ethical Sponsorship Policy for education and other events. Under this policy, sponsoring companies play no part in planning the content of educational programmes or influencing the membership of event committees. The College does not endorse any commercial products.

Ethical Framework for Sponsorship, Advertising & Fundraising

Principles

1. The College will not enter into any agreement or partnership, which might threaten its charitable status.

2. The College may enter into partnerships which are directly supportive of the Colleges mission and aims; and prohibit direct funding from any organisations, or individuals where there is conflict with the mission, objectives or reputation of the College, e.g. Tobacco Industry

3. The College will review the activities of all organisations and individuals seeking to support the College with sums in excess of (the equivalent of) £30,000 before accepting such sponsorship/donation.

4. The College will maintain a register of individual donations, grants and sponsorship support. Details of individual financial receipts in excess of £8,000 p.a. will be made available on request (a handling charge will be made to non-Fellows).

5. Council members, committee chairmen, symposia/conference chairs and speakers must complete declaration of interest forms as follows:

   1. Council members and committee chairmen must make a full declaration of financial support from and/or investments held by them and their partners.

   2. Organising committee members, speakers, chairmen, and panel members participating in College events must make a declaration of support from and investment in commercial companies relevant to the topic of the event during the previous 12 months.

6. All offers of financial support are subject to written agreements acceptable to the College, specifying the terms and conditions of the offer. The following are precluded automatically for commercial organisations:

   1. providing Chairmen or members of College committees and working groups (attendance may be granted at the discretion of the College)

   2. access to clinical data that might in any way erode patient or clinician confidentiality

   3. seeking explicit or implied College endorsement of any products

7. The College’s name and/or crests may be used by external partners only with the express prior permission of the College and for the purposes requested. The College retains editorial control over all published uses of its name, logo, crests and other copyright protected information.

8. The College reserves the right to refuse any proposed new advertisement or loose insert that they deem is in conflict of interest with our guiding principles or on subjective grounds of taste or content.

9. The College database of Fellows and Members will remain confidential.

March 2011