Clinical Chemistry involves the study and application of chemistry, defined in its broadest sense, to the practice of medicine. The scope of the subject matter of this discipline is recognised by several names in various parts of the world (e.g. clinical biochemistry, physiological chemistry, chemical pathology). Included in its scope are the chemical facets of all areas of laboratory medicine.
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) was formed to advance the science and practice of clinical chemistry throughout the world in the interest of the peoples of the world. These Articles of Association were approved by the IFCC Council on June 18, 1972 and amended by IFCC Council on July 13, 1975. They were further reviewed and amended by Council on April 29, 1984 and on November 14. 1993.
1. Name and legal domicile
In accordance with the articles set forth hereunder and with articles 60
and following of the Swiss Civil Code, an Association is hereby formed
under the name of International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
(Federation Internationale de Chimie Clinique) (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the Federation).The legal permanent domicile
(siege) of the Federation is in Lausanne (Switzerland).
2. Purposes
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry exists to advance
the theory and practice of clinical laboratory science and to further
its application in the provision of health services and the practice
of medicine.
2.2 Promote international cooperation and coordination in the development of clinical laboratory science in matters of research procedures, materials, regulations and practices education and training, codes of ethics and related subjects.
2.3 Provide a basis for closer liaison and the free exchange of professional information among clinical laboratory scientists world wide.
2.4 Sponsor and support International Congresses of Clinical Chemistry and International Congresses of Clinical Laboratory Science; sponsor and support regional congresses and meetings of international scope and interest
2.5 Encourage, sponsor and/or conduct studies, and prepare recommendations, reviews and reports on facets of clinical laboratory science of international interest and concern.
2.6 Provide consultation and advice on facets of clinical laboratory science to all Members of the IFCC, other international and regional societies, states, nations, industries and others concerned with the provision of health services and materials.
2.7 Encourage and assist in the organization and establishment of new societies concerned with clinical laboratorv science.
2.8 Contribute in other ways wherever practical and feasible to the improvement of clinical laboratory science and its services to humanity.
3. Organization
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry is organized with:
(1) a Council (Article 5 hereafter)
(2) an Executive Board (Article 6 hereafter)
and holds General Meetings as provided for under Article 9 hereafter.
4. Membership
4.1.1 Full Members are drawn from either one established and recognized national society of clinical chemistry or one other organization representing clinical chemistry in a given geographical area.
4.1.1.1 Full Members constitute the voting members of Council
4.1.2 Associate Members may be admitted from additional organizations or sections of non-member national or regional organizations.
4.1.3 Corporate Members may be admitted from organizations manufacturing products or offering services for the field of clinical laboratory science.
4.2 Application Procedures
4.2.1 Application for Full Membership (4.1.1) shall be presented to the Secretary of the Executive Board. Applications shall be subject to approval by the Council on the recommendation of the Executive Board. Such application shall state that the applicant:
4.2.1.1 is an organized society for clinical chemistry or other appropriate official organization that represents the major clinical chemistry interests of the country or area.
4.2.1.2 is recognised by a National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences or National Committee, Ministry of Health, or other appropriate official scientific organization.
4.2.1.3 has officers authorized to act for the society.
4.2.1.4 is composed of persons employed in clinical laboratory science on a professional level.
4.2.1.5 holds regular meetings that include scientific programmes.
4.2.1.6 has as its main objectives the improvement of clinical laboratory services in health care and medicine, the advancement of knowledge and the encouragement of research.
4.2.2 The application by a Group to be listed as an Associate Member of the IFCC (4.1.2) shall be presented to the Secretary of the Executive Board. Applications for listing as an Associate Member of the IFCC shall be approved by the Executive Board following appropriate consultation. Such an application shall state that the applicant Group:
4.2.2.1 is involved in the field of clinical laboratory science and includes persons employed in clinical laboratory science at a professional level.
4.2.2.2 is recognised by a National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences or National Committee, Ministry of Health, or other appropriate official organization.
4.2.2.3 has officers authorized to act for the Group.
4.2.2.4 holds regular meetings that include scientific programmes.
4.2.3 Application for Corporate Membership (4.1.3) shall be presented to the Secretary of the Executive Board. Applications for Corporate Membership shall be approved by the Executive Board. Such an application shall contain details to show that the applicant:
4.2.3.1 is engaged in the manufacture of products and/or the provision of services for use in the field of clinical laboratory science.
4.2.3.2 has a commitment to the improvement of clinical laboratory science in health care and medicine, the advancement of knowledge and the encouragement of research.
4.3 Membership in each of the above groups becomes operative from the moment of approval.
4.4 The Council shall decide upon exclusion of Full Member organizations (4.1.1) that no longer conform to the requirements of articles 4.2.1
4.5 The Executive Board shall decide upon exclusion of Associate Members (4.1.2) and Corporate Members (4.1.3) that no longer conform to the requirements of the relevant sections of articles 4.2.2 and 4.2.3
5. Council
5.2 Each Full Member from within its membership will designate by writing to the Secretary a Representative to the Council of the Federation, with full powers to act for the Society in all matters coming before the Council.
5.3 The representatives from Full Members shall be the voting members of Council. An alternate representative may be appointed by a Full Member from within its membership with full powers to participate and vote on Council matters. The Secretary must be advised of this appointment in writing by an officer of the Full Member prior to the commencement of the meeting of Council.
5.4 Each Associate Member and Corporate Member may designate a non-voting representative to Council.
5.5 The President and Secretary of the Clinical Chemistry Division of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) shall be nonvoting members of the Council. The IUPAC Clinical Chemistry Division may appoint alternates for the President and Secretary of that Division.
5.6 The Council shall elect from the membership of Full Members in good standing a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Members-at-Large who will serve as members of the Executive Board (Article 6). The election of the Corporate Representative is as stated in Rule 7.3 Officers of the Clinical Chemistry Division (IUPAC) during their term of office shall not be eligible for these offices.
5.7 The Council shall select and approve the representative of the Corporate Members on the Executive Board from the names presented by the Corporate Members according to their general preference.
5.8 The members of the Executive Board of the Federation shall be non-voting members of the Council.
5.9 The Council is presided over by the President or, in his absence, by the Vice-President
5.10 The Council, at the call of the Executive Board, shall meet in the same period and at the same place as an International Congress of Clinical Chemistry.
5.11 Extraordinary meetings of the Council may be called by the Executive Board or by one fifth of the voting members writing to the Secretary.
5.12 At a duly called meeting a quorum of the Council shall consist of a simple majority of all Full Members. The procedures to be followed should a formal vote be required are set out in the Rules. In the absence of a quorum at a duly called meeting, business is subject to a mail ballot conducted as set out in the Rules.
5.13 In the periods between Council meetings the Executive Board may submit questions by mail ballot to the Full Members' representatives to Council.
6. Executive Board
6.2 The Executive Board consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, two Members-at-Large, the immediate Past President and a representative of the Corporate Members. The President and Secretary of the Clinical Chemistry Division of IUPAC shall be non-voting members of the Executive Board. Other individuals may be coopted as non-voting members at the Executive Board's discretion.
6.3 The term of office of the elected members of the Executive Board shall be three years and shall start on the first of January following an International Congress of Clinical Chemistry. Members of the Executive Board are eligible for re-election once only for a given office. No individual shall serve for more than 12 consecutive years excluding years served as Past President.
6.4 The Executive Board shall ensure the orderly discharge of the functions of the Federation and, in particular, carry out the administrative duties between meetings of Council. The Executive Board shall establish and maintain a set of Rules through which it will accomplish these functions.
6.5 A casual vacancy on the Executive Board may be filled by the Board. Such an appointment will be subject to ratification-by the Council at its next regular meeting.
7. Affiliated Organizations
At its discretion the Executive Board may designate organizations engaged
in the broad field of clinical laboratory science as Affiliated Organizations
with the IFCC. The rights associated with such a designation shall be
determined by the Executive Board.
8. The Rights of Members
The Rights of Full Members are determined by Council. The Rights of
Associate Members and Corporate Members shall be determined by the
Executive Board and subjected to approval by Council. These Rights shall
be set out in the Rules.
9. General Meetings
9.2 The General Meeting shall discuss actions, problems, and issues facing the Federation and shall give participants the opportunity to record their recommendations.
10. Dues
The annual dues for the various forms of membership (4.1) of the
Federation shall be fixed by Council. Failure to pay dues by the prescribed
date shall lead to a loss of Rights as is set out in the Rules. Council, on
the advice of the Executive Board, has the discretion to recognize
exceptional circumstances affecting a Member society and has the power
to modify dues.
11. Winding-up
If the Federation is wound up then the net assets will be employed to
realize the purposes set out in Article 2.
12. Amendments
Proposals of amendments to these articles of association may be presented
in writing through the Executive Board to the Council. Such proposals must
be proposed by one voting member of Council and seconded by another voting
member. Amendments may also be presented by the Executive Board. Any such
proposal must be received six months before a meeting of Council, otherwise
it woulcl be processed by mail as set out in the Rules. In either case
acceptance of amendments shall require a two-thirds majority of those voting.