Code of Ethics

Exemplary ethical practices by museum professionals are essential for ICOM members.

ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums was adopted in 1986 and revised in 2004. It establishes the values and principles shared by ICOM and the international museum community. It is a reference tool translated into 36 languages and it sets minimum standards of professional practice and performance for museums and their staff.

By joining ICOM, each member agrees to respect this code.

7. Museums operate in a legal manner

Principle: museums must conform fully to international, regional, national, or 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.

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LEGAL FRAMEWORK

7.1 National and Local Legislation.
Museums should conform to all national and local laws and respect the legislation of other states as they affect their operation.

7.2 International Legislation
Museum policy should acknowledge the following international legislation which is taken as a standard in interpreting the ICOM Code of Ethics:

• UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague Convention, First Protocol, 1954 and Second Protocol, 1999);
• UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970);
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1973);
• UN Convention on Biological Diversity (1992);
• Unidroit Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (1995);
• UNESCO Convention on the protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001);
• UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003).