EFSA Publishes New Rules to Avoid "Conflicts of Interest" In Scientific Decision Making

March 5 2012 --- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published implementing rules related to Declarations of Interest (DOIs), one of the cornerstones of its recently adopted Policy on Independence and Scientific Decision-Making Processes.

The move comes after concerns that too many ‘conflicts of interest’ were arising within the EFSA. Cases had been arising where members were tasked with overseeing decisions related to industries where they might have vested interests.
 

The rules related to Declarations of Interest (DOIs) continue to strengthen the procedures in place for screening and managing interests declared by those involved in EFSA’s activities. The new rules provide a clearer and more transparent set of general principles applicable to all those engaging in EFSA’s work – scientific experts, staff, members of the Management Board and third party organisations, including external contractors.

 

Some of the key rules that will be enforced in future include stronger measures concerning industry-related interests eg scientific experts previously employed by industry must wait 2 years before being allowed to be a member of one of EFSA’s scientific groups. There will also be stronger measures concerning funding-related interests eg scientific experts managing research funding, 25% or more of which comes from the private sector in the year preceding the submission of their DoI, have restrictions placed on their ability to take part in EFSA’s scientific groups.

 

The measures hope to achieve a greater sense of clarity and transparency about EFSA’s work, there wil now be a clear definition of ‘conflicts of interest’ compatible with OECD guidelines. There will be a clear definition for organisations deemed to carry out tasks within EFSA’s remit (also known as ‘Food Safety Organisations’) and from which the Authority actively seeks participation from scientific experts.

 

The implementing rules allow EFSA to tap into the best scientific expertise available while ensuring – for both the organisation and its experts - independence and integrity throughout all areas of the Authority’s governance and work.

 

The rules were presented publicly for the first time yesterday at an information session in Brussels for stakeholders and interested parties. EFSA has utilised the new rules in the ongoing re-establishment of its Scientific Committee and eight of its Scientific Panels. For all other individuals and processes concerned, the rules will enter into force as of 1 July 2012, with a 4-month transition period.

 

Speaking ahead of the information session, EFSA Executive Director Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, said: “EFSA understands that, notwithstanding the high caliber of its scientific work, the value of its scientific advice is directly linked to the level of trust held in it by the public and therefore seeks to guarantee independence in all aspects of its governance and scientific activities. The new Implementing Rules provide clearer guidance for experts submitting Declarations of Interest to EFSA and increase the level of scrutiny and number of safeguards in place to guarantee independence throughout all our activities. Importantly, these improvements also provide an additional layer of protection for EFSA’s scientific experts in recognition of their commitment to support the organisation in fulfilling its public health mission.”

 

The new rules lay down in detail the criteria EFSA uses for assessing interests declared by scientific experts and other individuals involved in its work. Different types of interests are listed with guidance about whether or not they constitute potential conflicts of interest. Where a potential conflict of interest is identified, the scientific expert or individual is prohibited from participating in EFSA’s scientific work or taking up certain roles.

 

For example, scientists currently employed by industry (including full-time consultancy) in areas relevant to EFSA’s work (such as the food and feed industry) are categorically excluded from becoming a member of any of EFSA’s scientific groups, including the Scientific Committee, its Panels and their Working Groups. In other instances, and depending on the interests concerned, an expert may be allowed to become a member of a Scientific Panel but not be eligible for consideration as Chair.

 

EFSA confirms its commitment to defend the reputation of its experts should unfounded allegations be put forward by third parties. Recognising that the responsibility for complete and truthful DoIs lies with the person filling in the declaration, under the new rules EFSA has introduced an additional level of scrutiny in support of the integrity of both the process and its experts. As part of the overall verification of its declarations of interests procedures, EFSA will carry out random sampling of declarations of scientific experts to monitor for completeness and coherence with EFSA’s rules.