Research Ethics Act
Act on the organization of research ethical work (Research Ethics Act)
(Source: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2017-04-28-23)
English translation via Google Translate with editing.
Embedded HTML links direct to lovdata.no, the official Norwegian source.
Act on the organization of research ethical work (Research Ethics Act)
(Source: https://lovdata.no/dokument/NL/lov/2017-04-28-23)
English translation via Google Translate with editing.
Embedded HTML links direct to lovdata.no, the official Norwegian source.
Act on the organization of research ethical work (Research Ethics Act)
Given LOV-2017-04-28-23
Department Ministry
Commencement 01.05.2017
Changing LOV-2006-06-30-56
promulgated 28.04.2017
Korttittel Research Ethics law
§ 1. Purpose
The act shall contribute to research in public and private sector in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics.
§ 2. Scope
The law applies to researchers and research in Norway. On Svalbard and Jan Mayen, the law applies if the research is conducted by researchers employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial part of the funds come from Norway.
The investigation committee may furthermore comment on research abroad if the research is conducted by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial part of the funds come from Norway.
§ 3. Independence
Committees and committees appointed pursuant to this Act shall be professionally independent.
§ 4. Custody of researchers
Researchers should act with care to ensure that all research is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics. This also applies in preparation for research, reporting of research and other research-related activities.
§ 5. Requirements for research institutions
Research institutions are public or private institutions that have research as one of their main tasks.
Research institutions shall ensure that the research at the institution is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics. The institution is responsible for:
§ 6. Treatment of fraudulent cases at research institutions
Research institutions are responsible for dealing with cases of possible breaches of recognized ethical standards of research ethics. Chapter IV and V of the Public Administration Act apply to these matters.
Research institutions must have a reasonable committee. The committee shall have the necessary expertise in research, research ethics and law. The committee shall have at least one member who is not employed by the institution.
Research institutions shall establish guidelines for dealing with cases of possible breaches of recognized ethical standards of research ethics. The guidelines shall also state when, as part of the processing of such cases, a statement from the Audit Committee is to be obtained.
Research institutions will report cases of possible serious breaches of recognized research ethical standards to the Examination Committee.
Statements that conclude that a researcher has behaved scientifically fraudulently may be appealed by the researcher to the Examination Committee, cf. Section 7, second paragraph. Chapter VI of the Public Administration Act is subject to the limitations of this Act.
§ 7. Examination Committee
The Ministry appoints a national committee for investigating dishonesty in research. The examination committee shall have the necessary expertise in research and research ethics. The manager must have a law degree or a master's degree in law studies.
The Examination Committee is the appeal body for statements that conclude that a researcher has behaved scientifically fraudulently. The committee may also consider issues of possible breaches of recognized research ethical standards on its own initiative. Chapter IV and V of the Public Administration Act apply to these matters. The review committee's statements are final and can not be appealed.
The investigative committee shall supervise research institutions on the treatment of cases of possible breaches of acknowledged research ethical norms.
§ 8. Statements in cases of fraud
In statements by research institutions pursuant to section 5, the remedies committee pursuant to section 6 second paragraph and the Examination Committee pursuant to section 7 in cases of possible breaches of recognized research ethical norms, it shall always be considered:
§ 9. National Research Ethics Committees
The Ministry appoints national research ethics committees which together cover all disciplines, and determines the responsibilities of each committee. The members are nominated by the ministry on the basis of proposals from relevant bodies. Each committee shall have competence in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law, and shall have at least one people's representative.
The committees shall be advisory bodies within research ethics.
§ 10. Regional committees for medical and health research ethics
The Ministry appoints regional committees for medical and health research ethics. Each committee shall have competence in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law, and shall have at least one people's representative.
Committees' responsibilities follow the Health Research Act and other legislation that assigns committees to the committees.
The National Research Ethics Committee for Medicine and Health Sciences is the appeal body for the decisions of the committees, also for decisions pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. The National Committee's decision is final and can not be appealed.
§ 11. Exceptions from publicity
Public Procurement Act Section 24, second paragraph, applies to cases of possible breaches of recognized research ethical standards under this Act.
§ 12. Regulations
The Ministry may issue regulations laying down detailed rules for appointment and procedure in committees and committees pursuant to the Act.
§ 13. Entry into force
The law enters into force at the time the King decides. 1
From the same time, the law of June 30, 2006, No. 56, will be repealed on the treatment of ethics and fairness in research.
1 From 1 May 2017, according to travel. 28 Apr 2017 No. 505.
§ 14. Amendments to other laws
From the time the law enters into force, the following changes are made to other laws: - - -
Given LOV-2017-04-28-23
Department Ministry
Commencement 01.05.2017
Changing LOV-2006-06-30-56
promulgated 28.04.2017
Korttittel Research Ethics law
§ 1. Purpose
The act shall contribute to research in public and private sector in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics.
§ 2. Scope
The law applies to researchers and research in Norway. On Svalbard and Jan Mayen, the law applies if the research is conducted by researchers employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial part of the funds come from Norway.
The investigation committee may furthermore comment on research abroad if the research is conducted by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial part of the funds come from Norway.
§ 3. Independence
Committees and committees appointed pursuant to this Act shall be professionally independent.
§ 4. Custody of researchers
Researchers should act with care to ensure that all research is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics. This also applies in preparation for research, reporting of research and other research-related activities.
§ 5. Requirements for research institutions
Research institutions are public or private institutions that have research as one of their main tasks.
Research institutions shall ensure that the research at the institution is conducted in accordance with recognized ethical standards of research ethics. The institution is responsible for:
- a) Required training of candidates and employees in recognized research ethical norms and
- b) that everyone who performs or participate in research is familiar with recognized research ethical norms.
§ 6. Treatment of fraudulent cases at research institutions
Research institutions are responsible for dealing with cases of possible breaches of recognized ethical standards of research ethics. Chapter IV and V of the Public Administration Act apply to these matters.
Research institutions must have a reasonable committee. The committee shall have the necessary expertise in research, research ethics and law. The committee shall have at least one member who is not employed by the institution.
Research institutions shall establish guidelines for dealing with cases of possible breaches of recognized ethical standards of research ethics. The guidelines shall also state when, as part of the processing of such cases, a statement from the Audit Committee is to be obtained.
Research institutions will report cases of possible serious breaches of recognized research ethical standards to the Examination Committee.
Statements that conclude that a researcher has behaved scientifically fraudulently may be appealed by the researcher to the Examination Committee, cf. Section 7, second paragraph. Chapter VI of the Public Administration Act is subject to the limitations of this Act.
§ 7. Examination Committee
The Ministry appoints a national committee for investigating dishonesty in research. The examination committee shall have the necessary expertise in research and research ethics. The manager must have a law degree or a master's degree in law studies.
The Examination Committee is the appeal body for statements that conclude that a researcher has behaved scientifically fraudulently. The committee may also consider issues of possible breaches of recognized research ethical standards on its own initiative. Chapter IV and V of the Public Administration Act apply to these matters. The review committee's statements are final and can not be appealed.
The investigative committee shall supervise research institutions on the treatment of cases of possible breaches of acknowledged research ethical norms.
§ 8. Statements in cases of fraud
In statements by research institutions pursuant to section 5, the remedies committee pursuant to section 6 second paragraph and the Examination Committee pursuant to section 7 in cases of possible breaches of recognized research ethical norms, it shall always be considered:
- a) Whether the scientist has behaved scientifically fraudulently or not,
- b) if there are system errors at the institution and
- c) whether the scientific work should be corrected or withdrawn.
§ 9. National Research Ethics Committees
The Ministry appoints national research ethics committees which together cover all disciplines, and determines the responsibilities of each committee. The members are nominated by the ministry on the basis of proposals from relevant bodies. Each committee shall have competence in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law, and shall have at least one people's representative.
The committees shall be advisory bodies within research ethics.
§ 10. Regional committees for medical and health research ethics
The Ministry appoints regional committees for medical and health research ethics. Each committee shall have competence in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law, and shall have at least one people's representative.
Committees' responsibilities follow the Health Research Act and other legislation that assigns committees to the committees.
The National Research Ethics Committee for Medicine and Health Sciences is the appeal body for the decisions of the committees, also for decisions pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. The National Committee's decision is final and can not be appealed.
§ 11. Exceptions from publicity
Public Procurement Act Section 24, second paragraph, applies to cases of possible breaches of recognized research ethical standards under this Act.
§ 12. Regulations
The Ministry may issue regulations laying down detailed rules for appointment and procedure in committees and committees pursuant to the Act.
§ 13. Entry into force
The law enters into force at the time the King decides. 1
From the same time, the law of June 30, 2006, No. 56, will be repealed on the treatment of ethics and fairness in research.
1 From 1 May 2017, according to travel. 28 Apr 2017 No. 505.
§ 14. Amendments to other laws
From the time the law enters into force, the following changes are made to other laws: - - -
Act of 30 June 2006 No. 56 on ethics and integrity in research [Repealed]
(Source: English Translation via University of Oslo (UiO)
(Source: English Translation via University of Oslo (UiO)
Act of 30 June 2006 No. 56 on ethics and integrity in research
Section 1. Purpose of the Act
This Act seeks to ensure that research carried out by public and private institutions is conducted in accordance with recognised ethical standards.
Section 2. Autonomy
Committees and commissions appointed pursuant to this Act shall be state bodies that are autonomous in professional matters.
Section 3. National research ethics committees
National research ethics committees that collectively cover all disciplines shall be established. These committees shall serve as advisory bodies on research ethics. The Ministry will establish such committees, determine the committees’ fields of responsibility and appoint members. The committees shall have expertise in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law. They shall also have lay members.
Section 4. Regional committees for medical and health research ethics
Regional committees for medical and health research ethics shall be established. The Ministry will establish such committees, determine the committee’s fields of responsibility and appoint members. Members shall be appointed on the basis of proposals from relevant bodies. The committees shall have expertise in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law. They shall also have lay members. Research projects in Norway that involve experiments on human subjects shall be submitted to the committee for approval. Research projects conducted outside Norway shall be submitted to the committee for approval if the research is being carried out by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial portion of the funding comes from Norway. Appeals against decisions made by the committees may be lodged with the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. The decision of the National Committee is final and may not be further appealed.
Section 5. The National Commission for the Investigation of Scientific Misconduct
A national commission for the investigation of scientific misconduct shall be established. The commission shall give a statement as to whether scientific misconduct has occurred in research conducted in Norway. The commission shall also give a statement on research conducted outside Norway if the research has been carried out by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial portion of the funding comes from Norway. Scientific misconduct is defined as falsification, fabrication, plagiarism and other serious breaches of good scientific practice that have been committed wilfully or through gross negligence when planning, carrying out or reporting on research. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Ministry. The commission chair shall have judicial experience. The composition of the commission shall ensure that the commission has the necessary expertise in the field of research and research ethics. The commission may in individual cases decide that the documents relating to a case shall not be made public until a final statement has been given. The Ministry is the administrative appeals body for appeals regarding the administrative procedures of the commission. Appeals regarding the content of the statement shall be dealt with by a specially appointed commission. A special commission shall be appointed for each appeal and shall comprise members with the necessary professional or technical, research ethics and legal expertise. The decision of the special commission is final.
Section 6. Regulations
The Ministry may make supplementary regulations regarding the appointment and administrative procedures of committees and commissions pursuant to this Act.
Section 7. Commencement
This Act shall enter into force from the date decided by the King.
Section 1. Purpose of the Act
This Act seeks to ensure that research carried out by public and private institutions is conducted in accordance with recognised ethical standards.
Section 2. Autonomy
Committees and commissions appointed pursuant to this Act shall be state bodies that are autonomous in professional matters.
Section 3. National research ethics committees
National research ethics committees that collectively cover all disciplines shall be established. These committees shall serve as advisory bodies on research ethics. The Ministry will establish such committees, determine the committees’ fields of responsibility and appoint members. The committees shall have expertise in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law. They shall also have lay members.
Section 4. Regional committees for medical and health research ethics
Regional committees for medical and health research ethics shall be established. The Ministry will establish such committees, determine the committee’s fields of responsibility and appoint members. Members shall be appointed on the basis of proposals from relevant bodies. The committees shall have expertise in relevant research disciplines, ethics and law. They shall also have lay members. Research projects in Norway that involve experiments on human subjects shall be submitted to the committee for approval. Research projects conducted outside Norway shall be submitted to the committee for approval if the research is being carried out by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial portion of the funding comes from Norway. Appeals against decisions made by the committees may be lodged with the National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. The decision of the National Committee is final and may not be further appealed.
Section 5. The National Commission for the Investigation of Scientific Misconduct
A national commission for the investigation of scientific misconduct shall be established. The commission shall give a statement as to whether scientific misconduct has occurred in research conducted in Norway. The commission shall also give a statement on research conducted outside Norway if the research has been carried out by a researcher employed by a Norwegian employer or if a substantial portion of the funding comes from Norway. Scientific misconduct is defined as falsification, fabrication, plagiarism and other serious breaches of good scientific practice that have been committed wilfully or through gross negligence when planning, carrying out or reporting on research. The members of the commission shall be appointed by the Ministry. The commission chair shall have judicial experience. The composition of the commission shall ensure that the commission has the necessary expertise in the field of research and research ethics. The commission may in individual cases decide that the documents relating to a case shall not be made public until a final statement has been given. The Ministry is the administrative appeals body for appeals regarding the administrative procedures of the commission. Appeals regarding the content of the statement shall be dealt with by a specially appointed commission. A special commission shall be appointed for each appeal and shall comprise members with the necessary professional or technical, research ethics and legal expertise. The decision of the special commission is final.
Section 6. Regulations
The Ministry may make supplementary regulations regarding the appointment and administrative procedures of committees and commissions pursuant to this Act.
Section 7. Commencement
This Act shall enter into force from the date decided by the King.