World’s largest museum organisation to review ethics guidance

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is planning to review its Code of Ethics for Museums.

The document sets minimum professional standards and addresses a range of museum-related topics including acquisition procedures, compliance with legislation, management of resources, security, returns and restitutions.

It is intended to help museums establish and support policies and procedures that guide their work, their staff and their funders.

First adopted in 1986, and most recently revised in 2004, the code is available in 38 languages. Although the ethics are not legally binding, ICOM members, of which there are over 45,000 worldwide, are expected to accept and comply with the document’s rules.

The review process is expected to be highly collaborative between existing members. ICOM is planning that after one more cycle of consultation, the ethics will be adopted at the ICOM triennial conference in Dubai this November.

In 2022, ICOM approved a new definition of a museum. It agreed that a museum is “a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage.” 

“Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability,” the definition continues. “They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.”