The cornerstone of ICOM is the ICOM Codeof Ethics for Museums. It sets minimum standardsof professional practice and performance formuseums and their staff. In joining the organisation,
ICOM members undertake to abide by this Code.
The ICOM Code of Professional Ethics was adopted
unanimously by the 15th General Assembly of ICOMin Buenos Aires (Argentina) on 4 November, 1986.
It was amended by the 20th General Assemblyin Barcelona (Spain) on 6 July 2001, retitled
ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, and revisedby the 21st General Assembly in Seoul(Republic of Korea) on 8 October, 2004.

ICOM code of ethics for museums

First published in the three official languages
of ICOM, the Code of Ethics has beentranslated into numerous other languages
by ICOM’s committees.

ICOM Code of

ETHICSfor Museums

Principe
Texte

ICOM Code of

ethicsfor Museums© ICOM, 2017
Dépôt légal juin 2017
ISBN 978-92-9012-420-7

Preamble
The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums has been preparedby the International Council of Museums. It is the statementof ethics for museums referred to in the ICOM Statutes.
The Code reflects principles generally accepted by
the international museum community. Membership of ICOMand the payment of the annual subscription to ICOM
are an affirmation of the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums.
The ICOM Code presents a minimum standard for museums.
It is presented as a series of principles supported by guidelines
for desirable professional practice. In some countries, certain
minimum standards are defined by law or government
regulation. In others, guidance on and assessment of minimum
professional standards may be available in the formof ‘Accreditation’, ‘Registration’, or similar evaluative schemes.
Where such standards are not defined, guidance can beobtained through the ICOM Secretariat, a relevant National
Committee of ICOM, or the appropriate International
Committee of ICOM. It is also intended that individual nations
and the specialised organisations connected with museums
should use this Code as a basis for developing additional
standards.
The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums was first publishedin the three official languages of the organisation: English,
French and Spanish. ICOM welcomes the translationof the Code into other languages and has set translation
guidelines that can be obtained through its General Secretariat.

Table of contents1	I. Museums preserve,interpret and promote
the natural and cultural
inheritance of humanity.
3	Institutional standing3	Physical resources4	Financial resources5	Personnel
7	II. Museums that maintaincollections holdthem in trust
for the benefit of society
and its development.
9	Acquiring collections
12	Removing collections
14	Care of collections
17	III. Museums hold primaryevidence for establishingand furthering knowledge.
19	Primary evidence
19	Museum collecting
and research

Ethical issues that require the attention and/or considerationof the ICOM Ethics Committee may be addressed to its Chairby e-mail: ethics@icom.museum

23	IV. Museums provide
opportunities
for the appreciation,
understanding
and managementof the naturaland cultural heritage.
25	Display and exhibition
26	Other resources

27	V. Museums hold resourcesthat provide opportunities
for other public services
and benefits.
29	Identification services
31	VI. Museums workin close collaboration
with the communities
from which theircollections originate
as well as those they serve.
33	Origin of collections
34	Respect for communities
served35	VII. Museums operate
in a legal manner.
37	Legal framework
39	VIII. Museums operate
in a professional manner.
41	Professional conduct
43	Conflicts of interest
47	Glossary

— I —
Museums preserve, interpretand promote the naturaland cultural inheritanceof humanity.

Institutional standing

Principle
Museums are responsible for the tangible
and intangible natural and cultural heritage.
Governing bodies and those concernedwith the strategic direction and oversightof museums have a primary responsibility
to protect and promote this heritage as wellas the human, physical and financial resources
made available for that purpose.

1.1 Enabling Documentation
The governing body should ensure that the museum hasa written and published constitution, statute, or other public
document in accordance with national laws, which clearlystates the museum’s legal status, mission, permanence
and non-profit nature.
1.2 Statement of the Mission, Objectives and Policies
The governing body should prepare, publicise and be guided
by a statement of the mission, objectives and policiesof the museum and of the role and compositionof the governing body.
Physical resources

1.3 Premises
The governing body should ensure adequate premises
with a suitable environment for the museum to fulfil
the basic functions defined in its mission.
1.4 Access
The governing body should ensure that the museum
and its collections are available to all during reasonable
hours and for regular periods. Particular regard should
be given to those persons with special needs.
1.5 Health and Safety
The governing body should ensure that institutional
standards of health, safety and accessibility apply
to its personnel and visitors.

3

1.6 Protection Against Disasters
The governing body should develop and maintain policies
to protect the public and personnel, the collections and otherresources against natural and human-made disasters.
1.7 Security Requirements
The governing body should ensure appropriate security
to protect collections against theft or damage in displays,
exhibitions, working or storage areas and while in transit.
1.8 Insurance and Indemnity
Where commercial insurance is used for collections,the governing body should ensure that such cover is adequate
and includes objects in transit or on loan and other items
that are the responsibility of the museum. When an indemnity
scheme is in use, it is necessary that material not in
the ownership of the museum be adequately covered.
Financial resources

1.9 Funding
The governing body should ensure that there are sufficient
funds to carry out and develop the activities of the museum.
All funds must be accounted for in a professional manner.
1.10 Income-generating Policy
The governing body should have a written policy regarding
sources of income that it may generate through its activities
or accept from outside sources. Regardless of funding source,
museums should maintain control of the content and integrityof their programmes, exhibitions and activities.
Income‑generating activities should not compromise
the standards of the institution or its public (see 6.6).

4

Personnel

1.11 Employment Policy
The governing body should ensure that all action concerning
personnel is taken in accordance with the policies ofthe museum as well as the proper and legal procedures.
1.12 Appointment of the Director or Head
The director or head of the museum is a key post and when
making an appointment, governing bodies should have regard
for the knowledge and skills required to fill the post effectively.
These qualities should include adequate intellectual ability
and professional knowledge, complemented by a high standardof ethical conduct.
1.13 Access to Governing Bodies
The director or head of a museum should be directly
responsible, and have direct access, to the relevant
governing bodies.
1.14 Competence of Museum Personnel
The employment of qualified personnel with the expertise
required to meet all responsibilities is necessary(see also 2.19; 2.24; section 8).
1.15 Training of Personnel
Adequate opportunities for the continuing educationand professional development of all museum personnel
should be arranged to maintain an effective workforce.
1.16 Ethical Conflict
The governing body should never require museum personnel
to act in a way that could be considered to conflictwith the provisions of this Code of Ethics, or any nationallaw or specialist code of ethics.

51.17 Museum Personnel and Volunteers
The governing body should have a written policy on volunteer
work that promotes a positive relationship between volunteers
and members of the museum profession.
1.18 Volunteers and Ethics
The governing body should ensure that volunteers, when
conducting museum and personal activities, are fully
conversant with the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums
and other applicable codes and laws.

6— II —
Museums thatmaintain collections
hold them in trust
for the benefit of society
and its development.

Acquiring collections

Principle
Museums have the duty to acquire, preserveand promote their collections as a contribution
to safeguarding the natural, cultural and scientificheritage. Their collections are a significant publicinheritance, have a special position in law
and are protected by international legislation.
Inherent in this public trust is the notionof stewardship that includes rightful ownership,
permanence, documentation, accessibility
and responsible disposal.

2.1 Collections Policy
The governing body for each museum should adopt and publish
a written collections policy that addresses the acquisition,
care and use of collections. The policy should clarify
the position of any material that will not be catalogued,
conserved, or exhibited (see 2.7; 2.8).
2.2 Valid Title
No object or specimen should be acquired by purchase, gift,loan, bequest, or exchange unless the acquiring museum
is satisfied that a valid title is held. Evidence of lawful ownershipin a country is not necessarily valid title.
2.3 Provenance and Due Diligence
Every effort must be made before acquisition to ensure that any
object or specimen offered for purchase, gift, loan, bequest, or
exchange has not been illegally obtained in, or exported fromits country of origin or any intermediate country in which
it might have been owned legally (including the museum’s own
country). Due diligence in this regard should establish the full
history of the item since discovery or production.
2.4 Objects and Specimens from Unauthorised
or Unscientific Fieldwork
Museums should not acquire objects where there is reasonablecause to believe their recovery involved unauthorised or
unscientific fieldwork, or intentional destruction or damageof monuments, archaeological or geological sites, or of species
and natural habitats. In the same way, acquisition should
not occur if there has been a failure to disclose the finds
to the owner or occupier of the land, or to the proper legalor governmental authorities.

92.5 Culturally Sensitive Material
Collections of human remains and material of sacredsignificance should be acquired only if they can be housed
securely and cared for respectfully. This must be accomplishedin a manner consistent with professional standards andthe interests and beliefs of members of the community, ethnicor religious groups from which the objects originated,
where these are known (see also 3.7; 4.3).
2.6 Protected Biological or Geological Specimens
Museums should not acquire biological or geological
specimens that have been collected, sold, or otherwisetransferred in contravention of local, national, regional
or international law or treaty relating to wildlife protection
or natural history conservation.
2.7 Living Collections
When the collections include live botanical or zoological
specimens, special consideration should be given to the naturaland social environment from which they are derived as wellas any local, national, regional or international law or treaty
relating to wildlife protection or natural history conservation.
2.8 Working Collections
The collections policy may include special considerations
for certain types of working collections where the emphasis
is on preserving cultural, scientific, or technical process rather
than the object, or where objects or specimens are assembled
for regular handling and teaching purposes (see also 2.1).

10

2.9 Acquisition Outside Collections Policy
The acquisition of objects or specimens outside the museum’s
stated policy should only be made in exceptional circumstances.
The governing body should consider the professional opinions
available to it and the views of all interested parties.
Consideration will include the significance of the object
or specimen, including its context in the cultural or natural
heritage, and the special interests of other museums collecting
such material. However, even in these circumstances, objects
without a valid title should not be acquired (see also 3.4).
2.10 Acquisitions Offered by Members of the Governing Body
or Museum Personnel
Special care is required in considering any item, whether
for sale, as a donation, or as a tax-benefit gift, from membersof governing bodies, museum personnel, or the families
and close associates of these persons.
2.11 Repositories of Last Resort
Nothing in this Code of Ethics should prevent a museum fromacting as an authorised repository for unprovenanced, illicitly
collected or recovered specimens or objects from the territory
over which it has lawful responsibility.

11Removing collections

2.12 Legal or Other Powers of Disposal
Where the museum has legal powers permitting disposals,or has acquired objects subject to conditions of disposal,
the legal or other requirements and procedures must becomplied with fully. Where the original acquisition was subject
to mandatory or other restrictions these conditions must
be observed, unless it can be shown clearly that adherence
to such restrictions is impossible or substantially detrimental
to the institution and, if appropriate, relief may be sought
through legal procedures.
2.13 Deaccessioning from Museum Collections
The removal of an object or specimen from a museum
collection must only be undertaken with a full understandingof the significance of the item, its character (whether renewable
or non-renewable), legal standing, and any loss of public trustthat might result from such action.
2.14 Responsibility for Deaccessioning
The decision to deaccession should be the responsibilityof the governing body acting in conjunction with the directorof the museum and the curator of the collection concerned.
Special arrangements may apply to working collections(see 2.7; 2.8).

12

2.15 Disposal of Objects Removed from the Collections
Each museum should have a policy defining authorised
methods for permanently removing an object fromthe collections through donation, transfer, exchange, sale,
repatriation, or destruction, and that allows the transfer
of unrestricted title to any receiving agency. Complete records
must be kept of all deaccessioning decisions, the objects
involved, and the disposal of the object. There will be a strong
presumption that a deaccessioned item should first be offered
to another museum.
2.16 Income from Disposal of Collections
Museum collections are held in public trust and may
not be treated as a realisable asset. Money or compensation
received from the deaccessioning and disposal of objects
and specimens from a museum collection should be used solely
for the benefit of the collection and usually for acquisitions
to that same collection.
2.17 Purchase of Deaccessioned Collections
Museum personnel, the governing body, or their families
or close associates, should not be permitted to purchase objects
that have been deaccessioned from a collection for which
they are responsible.

13

Care of collections

2.18 Collection Continuity
The museum should establish and apply policies to ensurethat its collections (both permanent and temporary)
and associated information, properly recorded, are available
for current use and will be passed on to future generationsin as good and safe a condition as practicable, having regard
to current knowledge and resources.
2.19 Delegation of Collection Responsibility
Professional responsibilities involving the care of the collections
should be assigned to persons with appropriate knowledge
and skill or who are adequately supervised (see also 8.11).
2.20 Documentation of Collections
Museum collections should be documented according toaccepted professional standards. Such documentation should
include a full identification and description of each item,
its associations, provenance, condition, treatment and present
location. Such data should be kept in a secure environmentand be supported by retrieval systems providing accessto the information by the museum personnel and other
legitimate users.
2.21 Protection Against Disasters
Careful attention should be given to the development of policies
to protect the collections during armed conflict and otherhuman-made or natural disasters.
2.22 Security of Collection and Associated Data
The museum should exercise control to avoid disclosing
sensitive personal or related information and other confidential
matters when collection data is made available to the public.

14

2.23 Preventive Conservation
Preventive conservation is an important element of museum
policy and collections care. It is an essential responsibilityof members of the museum profession to create and maintaina protective environment for the collections in their care,
whether in store, on display, or in transit.
2.24 Collection Conservation and Restoration
The museum should carefully monitor the condition ofcollections to determine when an object or specimen may
require conservation-restoration work and the servicesof a qualified conservator-restorer. The principal goal shouldbe the stabilisation of the object or specimen. All conservation
procedures should be documented and as reversible as possible,
and all alterations should be clearly distinguishable fromthe original object or specimen.
2.25 Welfare of Live Animals
A museum that maintains living animals should assume full
responsibility for their health and well-being. It should prepare
and implement a safety code for the protection of its personnel
and visitors, as well as of the animals, that has been approvedby an expert in the veterinary field. Genetic modification
should be clearly identifiable.
2.26 Personal Use of Museum Collections
Museum personnel, the governing body, their families, close
associates, or others should not be permitted to expropriate
items from the museum collections, even temporarily, for any
personal use.

15

— III —Museums hold primaryevidence for establishingand furthering knowledge.

Primary evidence

Principle
Museums have particular responsibilities to all forthe care, accessibility and interpretation of primaryevidence collected and held in their collections.

3.1 Collections as Primary Evidence
The museum collections policy should indicate clearly
the significance of collections as primary evidence. The policy
should not be governed only by current intellectual trends
or present museum usage.
3.2 Availability of Collections
Museums have a particular responsibility for making collections
and all relevant information available as freely as possible,
having regard to restraints arising for reasons of confidentiality
and security.
Museum collecting and research

3.3 Field Collecting
Museums undertaking field collecting should develop policies
consistent with academic standards and applicable national
and international laws and treaty obligations. Fieldwork should
only be undertaken with respect and consideration for theviews of local communities, their environmental resources andcultural practices as well as efforts to enhance the culturaland natural heritage.
3.4 Exceptional Collecting of Primary Evidence
In exceptional cases an item without provenance may have suchan inherently outstanding contribution to knowledge that
it would be in the public interest to preserve it. The acceptanceof such an item into a museum collection should be the subjectof a decision by specialists in the discipline concerned
and without national or international prejudice (see also 2.11).

19

3.5 Research
Research by museum personnel should relate to the museum’s
mission and objectives and conform to established legal, ethicaland academic practices.
3.6 Destructive Analysis
When destructive analytical techniques are undertaken,
a complete record of the material analysed, the outcomeof the analysis and the resulting research, including
publications, should become a part of the permanent recordof the object.

3.10 Cooperation between Museums and Other Institutions
Museum personnel should acknowledge and endorse the needfor cooperation and consultation between institutions withsimilar interests and collecting practices. This is particularly
so with institutes of higher education and certain public utilities
where research may generate important collections for which
there is no long-term security.

3.7 Human Remains and Materials of Sacred SignificanceResearch on human remains and materials of sacredsignificance must be accomplished in a manner consistent
with professional standards and take into account the interestsand beliefs of the community, ethnic or religious groups
from whom the objects originated, where these are known(see also 2.5; 4.3).
3.8 Retention of Rights to Research Materials
When museum personnel prepare material for presentationor to document field investigation, there must be clear
agreement with the sponsoring museum regarding all rights
to such work.
3.9 Shared Expertise
Members of the museum profession have an obligation to share
their knowledge and experience with colleagues, scholars
and students in relevant fields. They should respect
and acknowledge those from whom they have learned
and should pass on such advancements in techniquesand experience that may be of benefit to others.

20

21

— IV —
Museums provide
opportunities
for the appreciation,
understanding
and managementof the naturaland cultural heritage.

Display and exhibition

Principle
Museums have an important duty to develop theireducational role and attract wider audiencesfrom the community, locality, or group they serve.
Interaction with the constituent communityand promotion of their heritage is an integral partof the educational role of the museum.

4.1 Displays, Exhibitions and Special Activities
Displays and temporary exhibitions, physical or electronic,
should be in accordance with the stated mission, policy
and purpose of the museum. They should not compromise
either the quality or the proper care and conservationof the collections.
4.2 Interpretation of Exhibitions
Museums should ensure that the information they present
in displays and exhibitions is well-founded, accurate and gives
appropriate consideration to represented groups or beliefs.
4.3 Exhibition of Sensitive Materials
Human remains and materials of sacred significance must be
displayed in a manner consistent with professional standards
and, where known, taking into account the interests and beliefsof members of the community, ethnic or religious groups fromwhom the objects originated. They must be presented with greattact and respect for the feelings of human dignity held by
all peoples.
4.4 Removal from Public Display
Requests for removal from public display of human remains
or material of sacred significance from the originating
communities must be addressed expeditiously with respectand sensitivity. Requests for the return of such material should
be addressed similarly. Museum policies should clearly define
the process for responding to such requests.
4.5 Display of Unprovenanced Material
Museums should avoid displaying or otherwise using materialof questionable origin or lacking provenance. They should
be aware that such displays or usage can be seen to condone
and contribute to the illicit trade in cultural property.
25

Other resources

4.6 Publication
Information published by museums, by whatever means, should
be well-founded, accurate and give responsible consideration
to the academic disciplines, societies, or beliefs presented.
Museum publications should not compromise the standardsof the institution.
4.7 Reproductions
Museums should respect the integrity of the original whenreplicas, reproductions, or copies of items in the collection
are made. All such copies should be permanently marked
as facsimiles.

26

— V —
Museums hold resourcesthat provide opportunities
for other public services
and benefits.

Identification services

Principle
Museums utilise a wide variety of specialisms,
skills and physical resources that have a far broader
application than in the museum. This may leadto shared resources or the provision of services
as an extension of the museum’s activities.
These should be organised in such a way that they
do not compromise the museum’s stated mission.

5.1 Identification of Illegally or Illicitly Acquired Objects
Where museums provide an identification service, they should
not act in any way that could be regarded as benefitingfrom such activity, directly or indirectly. The identification
and authentication of objects that are believed or suspected
to have been illegally or illicitly acquired, transferred, imported
or exported, should not be made public until the appropriate
authorities have been notified.
5.2 Authentication and Valuation (Appraisal)
Valuations may be made for the purposes of insuranceof museum collections. Opinions on the monetary valueof other objects should only be given on official requestfrom other museums or competent legal, governmental
or other responsible public authorities. However, whenthe museum itself may be the beneficiary, appraisal ofan object or specimen must be undertaken independently.

29

— VI —
Museums work in close
collaboration withthe communities from which
their collections originate
as well as those they serve.

Origin of collections

Principle
Museum collections reflect the cultural and natural
heritage of the communities from which they havebeen derived. As such, they have a character beyond
that of ordinary property, which may include strong
affinities with national, regional, local, ethnic,
religious or political identity. It is important therefore
that museum policy is responsive to this situation.

6.1 Cooperation
Museums should promote the sharing of knowledge,
documentation and collections with museums and culturalorganisations in the countries and communities of origin.
The possibility of developing partnerships with museums
in countries or areas that have lost a significant part of theirheritage should be explored.
6.2 Return of Cultural Property
Museums should be prepared to initiate dialogue for the returnof cultural property to a country or people of origin.
This should be undertaken in an impartial manner, basedon scientific, professional and humanitarian principles as well
as applicable local, national and international legislation,in preference to action at a governmental or political level.
6.3 Restitution of Cultural Property
When a country or people of origin seeks the restitution ofan object or specimen that can be demonstrated to have been
exported or otherwise transferred in violation of the principles
of international and national conventions, and shown to be partof that country’s or people’s cultural or natural heritage,
the museum concerned should, if legally free to do so, takeprompt and responsible steps to cooperate in its return.
6.4 Cultural Objects from an Occupied Country
Museums should abstain from purchasing or acquiring culturalobjects from an occupied territory and respect fully all laws
and conventions that regulate the import, export and transferof cultural or natural materials.

33

Respect for communities served

6.5 Contemporary Communities
Where museum activities involve a contemporary community
or its heritage, acquisitions should only be made based on
informed and mutual consent without exploitation of the owner
or informants. Respect for the wishes of the community
involved should be paramount.
6.6 Funding of Community Activities
When seeking funds for activities involving contemporarycommunities, their interests should not be compromised(see 1.10).
6.7 Use of Collections from Contemporary Communities
Museum usage of collections from contemporary communities
requires respect for human dignity and the traditions
and cultures that use such material. Such collections should be
used to promote human well-being, social development,
tolerance, and respect by advocating multisocial, multiculturaland multilingual expression (see 4.3).
6.8 Supporting Organisations in the Community
Museums should create a favourable environment forcommunity support (e.g., Friends of Museums and othersupporting organisations), recognise their contribution
and promote a harmonious relationship between
the community and museum personnel.

34— VII —
Museums operate
in a legal manner.

Legal framework

Principle
Museums must conform fully to international,
regional, national and local legislation and treaty
obligations. In addition, the governing body should
comply with any legally binding trusts or conditions
relating to any aspect of the museum, its collections
and operations.

7.1 National and Local Legislation
Museums should conform to all national and local laws
and respect the legislation of other states as they affecttheir operation.
7.2 International Legislation
Museum policy should acknowledge the following international
legislation that is taken as a standard in interpreting the ICOMCode of Ethics for Museums:• Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Eventof Armed Conflict with Regulations for the Executionof the Convention (“The Hague Convention” First Protocol,
1954, and Second Protocol, 1999);• Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing
the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownershipof Cultural Property (UNESCO, 1970);• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington, 1973);• Convention on Biological Diversity (UN, 1992);• UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported
Cultural Objects (UNIDROIT, 1995);• Convention on the Protection of the Underwater
Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2001);• Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible
Cultural Heritage (UNESCO, 2003).

37

— VIII —Museums operate
in a professional manner.

Professional conduct

Principle
Members of the museum profession should observe
accepted standards and laws and uphold the dignity
and honour of their profession. They should safeguard
the public against illegal or unethical professional
conduct. Every opportunity should be used to informand educate the public about the aims, purposes,
and aspirations of the profession to develop
a better public understanding of the contributionsof museums to society.

8.1 Familiarity with Relevant Legislation
Every member of the museum profession should be conversant
with relevant international, national and local legislationand the conditions of their employment. They should avoid
situations that could be construed as improper conduct.
8.2 Professional Responsibility
Members of the museum profession have an obligation
to follow the policies and procedures of their employing
institution. However, they may properly object to practices
that are perceived to be damaging to a museum,to the profession, or to matters of professional ethics.
8.3 Professional Conduct
Loyalty to colleagues and to the employing museum
is an important professional responsibility and must
be based on allegiance to fundamental ethical principles
applicable to the profession as a whole. These principles
should comply with the terms of the ICOM Code of Ethics
for Museums and be aware of any other codes or policies
relevant to museum work.
8.4 Academic and Scientific Responsibilities
Members of the museum profession should promote theinvestigation, preservation, and use of information inherent
in collections. They should, therefore, refrain from any activity
or circumstance that might result in the loss of such academic
and scientific data.
8.5 The Illicit Market
Members of the museum profession should not support
the illicit traffic or market in natural or cultural property,
directly or indirectly.

41

8.6 Confidentiality
Members of the museum profession must protect confidential
information obtained during their work. In addition,
information about items brought to the museum for
identification is confidential and should not be publishedor passed to any other institution or person without specificauthorisation from the owner.
8.7 Museum and Collection Security
Information about the security of the museum or of private
collections and locations visited during official duties mustbe held in strict confidence by museum personnel.
8.8 Exception to the Obligation for Confidentiality
Confidentiality is subject to a legal obligation to assist the policeor other proper authorities in investigating possible stolen,
illicitly acquired, or illegally transferred property.
8.9 Personal Independence
While members of a profession are entitled to a measureof personal independence, they must realise that no private
business or professional interest can be wholly separated fromtheir employing institution.
8.10 Professional Relationships
Members of the museum profession form working relationships
with numerous other persons within and outside the museumin which they are employed. They are expected to render theirprofessional services to others efficiently and to a high standard.
8.11 Professional Consultation
It is a professional responsibility to consult other colleagues
within or outside the museum when the expertise available
in the museum is insufficient to ensure good decision-making.

42

Conflicts of interest

8.12 Gifts, Favours, Loans, or Other Personal Benefits
Museum employees must not accept gifts, favours, loans,or other personal benefits that may be offered to themin connection with their duties for the museum. Occasionally
professional courtesy may include the giving and receivingof gifts, but this should always take place in the name of
the institution concerned.
8.13 Outside Employment or Business Interests
Members of the museum profession, although entitledto a measure of personal independence, must realisethat no private business or professional interest can be wholly
separated from their employing institution. They should
not undertake other paid employment or accept outsidecommissions that are in conflict, or may be viewed as being
in conflict, with the interests of the museum.
8.14 Dealing in Natural or Cultural Heritage
Members of the museum profession should not participate
directly or indirectly in dealing (buying or selling for profit)in the natural or cultural heritage.
8.15 Interaction with Dealers
Museum professionals should not accept any gift, hospitality,
or any form of reward from a dealer, auctioneer, or other person
as an inducement to purchase or dispose of museum items,
or to take or refrain from taking official action. Furthermore,a museum professional should not recommend a particulardealer, auctioneer, or appraiser to a member of the public.

43

8.16 Private Collecting
Members of the museum profession should not competewith their institution either in the acquisition of objects
or in any personal collecting activity. An agreement between
the museum professional and the governing bodyconcerning any private collecting must be formulated
and scrupulously followed.
8.17 Use of the Name and Logo of ICOMThe name of the organisation, its acronym or its logo may
not be used to promote or endorse any for-profit operationor product.
8.18 Other Conflicts of Interest
Should any other conflict of interest develop between
an individual and the museum, the interests of the museum
should prevail.

44

Glossary
Appraisal
The authentication and valuation of an object or specimen.
In certain countries the term is used for an independent
assessment of a proposed gift for tax benefit purposes.
Conflict of Interest
The existence of a personal or private interest that gives rise
to a clash of principle in a work situation, thus restricting,or having the appearance of restricting, the objectivityof decision making.
Conservator-Restorer
Museum or independent personnel competent to undertakethe technical examination, preservation, conservation
and restoration of cultural property. (For further information,
see ICOM News, vol. 39, no1 (1986), pp. 5-6.)
Cultural Heritage
Any thing or concept considered of aesthetic, historical,
scientific or spiritual significance.
Dealing
Buying and selling items for personal or institutional gain.
Due Diligence
The requirement that every endeavour is made to establish
the facts of a case before deciding a course of action,
particularly in identifying the source and history of an item
offered for acquisition or use before acquiring it.
Governing Body
The persons or organisations defined in the enabling legislationof the museum as responsible for its continuance, strategic
development and funding.

Income-generating Activities
Activities intended to bring financial gain or profit
for the benefit of the institution.
Legal Title
Legal right to ownership of property in the country concerned.
In certain countries this may be a conferred right andinsufficient to meet the requirements of a due diligence search.
Minimum Standard
A standard to which it is reasonable to expect all museums
and museum personnel to aspire. Certain countries havetheir own statements of minimum standards.
Museum*A museum is a non-profit, permanent institution
in the service of society and its development,
open to the public, which acquires, conserves,
researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible
and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment
for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment.
Museum Professional*
Museum professionals include all staff of the museums
and institutions qualifying as museums in accordancewith the definition stated within the scope of Article 3,
Section 1 and 2 of the ICOM Statutes, and persons who,
in a professional capacity, have as their main activity
to provide services, knowledge and expertise for museums
and the museum community.
Natural Heritage
Any natural thing, phenomenon or concept, considered to
be of scientific significance or to be a spiritual manifestation.

Non-profit Organisation
A legally established body—corporate or unincorporated—
whose income (including any surplus or profit) is used solely
for the benefit of that body and its operations. The term“not-for-profit” has the same meaning.
Provenance
The full history and ownership of an item from the timeof its discovery or creation to the present day, throughwhich authenticity and ownership are determined.
Valid Title
Indisputable right to ownership of property, supported by fullprovenance of the item since discovery or production.
* It should be noted that the definitions of “museum”
and “museum professional” presented in this glossary
are as they appear in the ICOM Statutes, as adopted
by the Extraordinary General Assembly of ICOMin Milan (Italy), held on 9 July, 2016.

International Council of Museums (ICOM)
Maison de l’UNESCO
1, rue Miollis—75 732 Paris cedex 15—France
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 47 34 05 00
Fax: +33 (0) 1 43 06 78 62
E-mail: secretariat@icom.museum
Website: http://icom.museum