Registered number.. 06389120
Charlty number. 1123023
COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee
CONTENTS
Page
Roference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers
Trnstees. report
2-10
Independent examiner's report
11
Statsment of financial activities
12
Balance sheet
13
Notes to the financial statements
14-21

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A cornpany limited by guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY. ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Trustees
Daniel Kulp. Chair (became Past£hair on 1 May 2025)
Nancy Chescheir (vI￿-chair} (became Chair on 1 May 2025)
Tara Lee Hoke, Secretary {stepped down at end of term on 1 May 2025)
Michael Mfise, Treasurer (stepped down at end of term on 1 May 2025)
Caroline Porter
Deborah Kahn (Resigned 9 June 2024)
Tim Kersjes
Howard Browman
Trevor Lane
Susan Garfinkel
Emilio José Sanz Alvarez
James Vlfilliams Mwangi Kigera
Rachel Safer, Treasurer (appointed 1 May 2025)
Heather Tierney, Secretary (appointed 1 May 2025)
Company registered number
06389120
Charlty reglstered number
1123023
Roglstered offic
New Kings Court. Tollgats, Chandlerfs Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire S053 3LG
Company secretary
Natalie Ridgeway. Executive Officer
Independent Examiner
Danielle Griffin. FCA. Moore (South) LLP, Suite 3, Second Floor, Friary Court, 13-21 High Street, Guildford,
Surrey GU13DG
Bankers
Co-operative Bank plc, PO Box 250. Delf House. Southway. Skelmersdale, WN8 6wr
Solicitors
Blake Morgan, New Efjngs Court, Tollgate. Chandlerfs Ford. Eastleigh. Hampshire. S053 3LG

COMmI￿EE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
IA company Ilmlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act) present their
annual report togetherwith the financial ststements of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (the
company) for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees confimi that the annual report and
financial statements of the company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements
of the company's goveming document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice
(SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (FRS102) second edition.
Structure, governance and management
• Constitutlon
The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a
Memorandum of Association on 3 October 2007 as amended by Special ResolLrtions dated 18 February
2008, 3 May 2011, 22 March 2013, 17 April 2015, 9 September 2015, 12 December 2019 and 25
September 2025, and is a registered charity number 1123023.
The Trustee Board and Council are the constitutional members of COPE.
The principal objects of the company are the promotion for the public benefit of ethical standards of
conduct in research and ethical standards in the publication of scholarly joumals.
Method of appointment or el8Ction of Trustees
The Trustee Board (mwmum of 12) consists of the Officers. namely: Chair, Vice-chair; Secretary;
Treasurer, Immediate Past Chair, elected members, and those who are c(x>pted. offi￿r5 and the
Trustee Board are elected by the full Constitutional Members (Trustees and Council Members). The
Trustee Board also appoint a Chair-elect from within the Constttutional Membership who serves for 12
months before taking on the role of Chair. Up to four Trustees may be co-opted by the Trustee Board
belween general meetings.
• Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
Upon appointment Trustees are provided with a copy of the A￿leS of Association and the Regulations
of COPE" they are also provided with an online briefing session, and a written document outlining the
responsibilities entailed 'On being a Trustee of COPE.. Add￿'Onal1y, they are required to access an
'eLeaming' module which outlines COPE processes and procedures. This introduction to COPE is
usually conducted by one or rn0￿ of the current Offi￿rS and the Executive Officer. Each Trustee is also
required to complete a Conllict of Interest form which is updated annually and postsd on the COPE
website.
Subsequent training is provided as needed. In addition, we nominate a current Twstee or Council
member to be a mentor to each new Trustee. Ad hoc training ts carried out as and when necessary to
ensure that Trustees are kept abreast of developments with regard to the legal and other obligations of
COPE as a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee and any of the resultant
obligations of the Trustees.

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ￿HIC$
(A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
• Organlsatlonal structure and decision making
The Trustee Board (http:Ilpublicationethics.orglabouVtrustees) is ultimatety responsible for the financial.
legal and business operations of COPE as a charitable business and it gives authority to Council, the
Executive Officer and the COPE team {http:Ilpublicationethics.orglcope-Staffj to manage the day to day
affairs of the organisation. The Trustees of the charity are also the directors of the limited company.
Day-to-day operational activtties of the business are rnanaged by COPE'S full time Executive off￿er
and a fvll time Operations Manager. The administration of the business activities of COPE are carried
out by the full time Administrator. Managing the bank account and all financial transactions is the
responsibility of the Executive Officer with oversight by the Treasurer and Finance subcommittee. The
COPE website is managed by a freelan￿ Web Manager. A fvll-time Senior Membeiship Administrator
is employed to review and administer the applications from potenlial new members. A freelance
Engagement and Outreach Offi￿r manages COPE'S ￿MMunIcatIOnS and engagement with the
membership, supported by a freelance Designer who develops and implements all of COPE'S design
and branding needs. A freelan￿ Facilitation & Integiity Offi￿r administers the COPE complaints
process.
Risk management
The principal risks identified with regard to COPE and its operations, and their mitigation, are as follows:
(i) Litigation arising from advice, gUKlan￿ or recommendations offered to authoTS, editors, publishers
and publishing staff and others with regard to ethical issues raised in connection with published
academic (learned) joumals. Full insurance cover for professional indemnity is provided at COPE'S
expense for Twstees and Counctl members and ft)r the Executive Officer and COPE Team acting for
and on behalf of COPE. The risk is graded as low-to-medium on the basis that COPE specifically does
not offer adjudication orjudgements with regard to cases involving ethical issues brought to its attention.
(li) Loss of subscription income. COPE will regularly review subscription income to ensure it is providing
value for members. that the subscriptions are in line industry expectations, and that any changes
ensure broadty ttie same income year on year. Two policies are in place to support a level of financial
stabilty". 1) increasing subscription fees by the Retail Price Index (RPI) each year when it is prudent to
do so., and 2) diversifying our income streams by seeking new membeis in underrepresented disciplines
and wuntries within the COPE membership. The Finance subcommittee. led by the Treasurer and
supported by the Executive Officer, is in charge of managing this policy.
(iii) Loss of data. Data relating to COPE'S business and financial affairs are retained by the Executive
Officer and COPE Tearn and held in a secure location as electronic copies in the 'cloud' on Google Drive
and two online management systerr6: Basecamp and Monday.com. No electronic files are held on
computer hard drives by the Executive Offi￿[ or any members of the team. In addition, the database
of COPE Members is retained on the COPE website which is managed separatety under contract by
the company responsible for general rna1ntenan￿ and development of the COPE website. This
company provides for automatic back-up of COPE data. The risk of loss of irrecoverable data is regarded
as low-to-medium.
{v) COPE continually reviews its consts"tution to ensu￿ good governance and oversight which is now the
sole province of the Trustee Board and a project to actively review the Articles of Association and
Regulations took Pla￿ during 2025 and is due to be approved shortly.

COMMITfEE ON PUBLICAlloN EfHICS
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TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Objectlves and Activities
Activities for achieving objectives and acting for public benefit
In planning our activits'es for the year we have kept in mind the Charity Commissioners guidance on
public benefft. COPE was established to provide a range of services and products aimed primarily, but
not exclusively, at edttors and publishers of scholarly joumals and designed to provide advice and
guidance on best practice for dealing with ethical issues in journal publishing.
SIGNIFICANT ACTivrriES
Strate
After an extensive and lengtty consultation and discussion pro￿sS, COPE published its new strategic
plan for 2024-2027 and beyond. The strategic plan has been guided by a clear vision: °to make ethical
practice the norm in research and publishing.. This is pursued through guidance, education, and
leadership to uphold integrity. collaboration to address challenges in publication ethics, and a strong
commitment to dNersity, equity. inclusivity. and accessibility- The goal is to ensure that research is
published honestly, transparentty. and ethically.
The strategic plan consists of 4 key goals.. Integrity, Education, Collaboration and Diversity, Equity,
Inclusivity and AccessTbility. All 4 key goals are supported by clear objectives and a set of new COPE
values. More can be seen on the COPE website at: https:Ilpublicationethics.orglabouUwhat-we-
dolstrategic-plan.
Handlin
concems raised a
ainst COPE members
In January 2023, COPE publishedan editorial in the monthly newsletterwhere itcommitted to athorough
review of its facilitation and integrity proc￿￿ to ensure it is still fit for purpose in today's landscape.
During 2023 and through 2024 a working group have been working steadily to consider the changes
that are necessary to this and the new policy and process is due to be launched by the end of 2025.
Membershi
licats'on
rc>cess
In early 2023, COPE cornmitted to a wide-ranging review of its membership application process to
ensure that we are accepting appropriate members into COPE Membership. An extremely complex
process, involving many different systems and individuals at different points in the process, a working
group has been steadily working through the changes we need to make to the prO￿S$. The first phase
of th8 Pro￿ss. providing guidance on the website detailing COPE expectations plus guidance for
potential joumal members on the application process - as well as a new application form and clearer
triage process - was launched in August 2025. The second phase will review the subcommittee
assessment prO￿s5 and guidan￿ needed for other membership types.
United2Act Summit
In 2023 COPE, with STM Association, held a joint summitto tackle the issues of paper mills. The summit
was held virtually, and attended by key rep￿sen￿tiveS from the global stakeholder community
governments, institutions, researchers. fvnders, publishers
and a few others with particular
knowledge and Influen￿ related to research integrity. The Summit led to the publication of a consensus
statement signed by the participants and others post-summtt. Further to this, COPE and STM created
the United2Act initiative, a joint projert which has seen the implementation of a number of working

COMM[￿EE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
groups who are all leading diffe￿nt initiatives to help in combatting paper mills. The working groups
were tasked with providing..
Education and awareness. including the creation of educational tools arKI Tesources
Improvements to post-publication coThections
More research on paper mills
Support for the development of trust markers
Continuing to facilrtate dialogue betrween stakeholders about the manipulation of the publishing
prO￿sS
This initiative achieved its objectives for the first phase in June 2025 and moved into a second phase
with new leadership and objectives. At this time, United2Act is no longer an official project of COPE and
STM'S, but are a colEaborative partner and we offer some administrative support.
New website
The COPE website underwent a major refresh during 2018119 to enable easier discoverability of
resources and guidance and the new site was launched in 2019. As websites continually evolve. and
owing to the need to move its content management system due to the existing verston nearing end of
life, we circulated a tender for a new website partner in 2022. This extensive and intensive Pro￿S5
culminated in COPE contracling with CTI Digital. sin￿ November 2022 we have been working closety
and intsnsively with CTI Digital to develop a new website. The first phase of the new websile
transferring all COPE to the new site- was launched in December 2024. The second phase will see the
website connect to a new CRM to support the membership database. This will be implemented during
2026.
The first phase of the new website incorporated-
a refreshed design and improved layout to support c￿r content
improvements to the search and filtering
better ac￿SsIbl11ty and device optimisation
EVENTS
COPE Forum
COPE holds a virtual Forum meeting. four times a year (all are virtual), at which members can raise and
discuss specific cases and general ethical issues. COPE then undertakes to publish written Summaries
of these Forum discussions (suttably edited and anonymised to ensure that identifiable details such as
names of individuals. journals and institutions are removed) on the COPE websTte with free, unhindered
access for anyone visiting the website. A classification hierarchy is used to allow all interested users of
the website to find cases on specific issues more easily. The Forum reports thus form part of a
developing database of 'case lav/ relating to ethica issues in journal publishing and he￿￿ a valuable
and valued Fesource for those inVo￿ed with ethical mattets. COPE members and non-members alike.
Member queries or cases that are unable to wait for Forum, or where they would prefer them to be
discussed in confiden￿, are responded to internally via Council.
At each Forum, COPE also present a discussion topic which is the first step in understanding the
requirements for any potential guidance that may be ￿Uired from COPE. The topics discussed at
Forum in 2024 include:

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION EfHICS
(A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEIJIBER 2024
Ethical considerations against watchlists
Publishing when English is not your first language
Plagiarism in 2024
Revisiting expressions of concern
Publication Inte
Week
COPE has been holding in person. one day seminars for many years. During the pandemic, these
moved online and Sin￿ then has remained a virtual offering as we are able to ￿a¢h more of COPE'S
global membership. In 2023, the seminar was rebranded as Publication I ntegrity Week- the event was
very successfijl and it was agreed that is would now run as an annual event.
Publication Integrty Week in 2024 contained events on topics such peer ￿vIeW. paper mills, authorship,
plagiarism, inclusivity and interpretation of qualitative data. Over 1000 members registered across all
sessions with an attendance rate on average of about 65%. Edited videos of each session were
published online after the events for members unable to attend.
2025's week-long event is shaping to be even bigger than previously with presentations on:
why ethics matters in scholarty publishing
a conversation with early leaders of COPE
how Al is changing scholarfy publishing
weaponisationlcornmercialisation of research
changing scholarly publishing as we know it
wow tschnology is being used to support publication of research
equitable access to scholarly publishing
indigenous data sovereignty
handling freedom of expression and controversy in scholaty publications
best practices for cooperation
techniques and teamwork in publication sleuthing
building communities through trust markers
boosb'ng incentives for ethical conduct
addressing misconduct and upholding integrity at universities and research institutes
authorship disputes and authorship manipulation
research integrity tools.. challenges, experiences, and ernerging best practice
ai use: policies and reality
Other events
In addition to Publication I ntegrity Week, dullng 2024. COPE held events on:
Al (an online 'lightning talk.)
text recycling (an online 'lightning talk.)
an introduction to publication ethics. This was held in person. in Split, Croatia with approximately
40 members present from across the region.
an online introduction to publication ethics wotkshop aimed primartly at members from India.
Pakistan, the Middle East and China.
Hosting of a podcast interview with representatives from CrossRef and Retractionwatch
garding CrossRefs acquisition of Retractionwatch's retractions database was also held by
COPE and published online.

COMMIThEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
RESOURCES
COPE has produced specific guidance and discussion dcKuments on a number of issues. During 2024
the following were developed or updated:
COPE Positions
A new resour￿, COPE pubtished 36 COPE positions. These were devek)ped to provide COPE'S formal
position on a particular issue. Purposefully brief. they provide a succinct overview of COPE'S position
with links to the fuller guidan￿ for deeper reading (where available>.
Flowcharts:
New. Concurrent submissions of a manuscript to ￿lIt1Ple journals
New. Vthen instttutions are contacted by joumals
Revised. Inappropriate image manipulation in a published artide
Revised. Vthat to consider when asked to peer review a ffAnuscript
Guidelines:
Revised. Cooperation beiween research institutions and joumals on research integrity and
publication misconduct cases
In 2025, efforts to release new guidance and update existing guidan￿ continued apace and the
folloviing guidan￿ was published:
New guidelines on Expressions of Concern.
A revision of the Retraction guidelines.
New guidelines on author fees and wapiers.
New guidelines on handling guest edited collections
Revision of the reviewer suspected to have appropriated an autbovs ideas or data fiowchart
Revision of the how to recognise ￿>tential manipulation of the peer review process flowchart.
Additional new OT revised guidance is coming soon and this cover topics such as:
Claiming affiliations in scholarfy publications (new guidance)
Identifying funding sources in publicatK)ns (new guidance)
Revision to the authorship flowcharts
Updating the citation manipulats'on discussion document and converting it into formal COPE
guidelines
Revision of the short guide to ethical editing
Consideration of the issues around GDPR and other data privacy laws and how this affects
COPE guidance
A new discussion document on Watchlists.
New discussion document on Best pra￿l¢e$ ar￿nd identity and name changes.
New guidance on Data availability.
A new discussion document on Historical offensive content.
New guidance on Intelleclual propety and copyright
New guidance on Claiming affiliations in scholarly publications.
New guidance on Author behavioural misconduct

cOMMI￿EE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A ¢ompany Ilmtted by guarantse)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Additional guidelines or discussion document that COPE offers, includes:
'Joumals' Best Practices for Ensuring Consent for Publishing Medical Case Reports..
'Short Guide to Ethical Editing for New Editors,.
'Ethical guidelines for peer ￿vIeWerS..
Editors. relations with leamed societies., which was revised and renamed as 'Guidelines for
management relationships between society-owned joumals, their society and publishers,.
Achievements and performanco
Revlew of actlvities
During the period under review, that is the calendar year ended 31 De￿mber 2024, COPE continued
to attract and recruit newjoumal and publisher members. As of September2025, 14,813 members were
Sisted on its website - an increase of more than 600 Sin￿ the end of 2023. Nearly all major publishers
have agreed to sign up their joumals as members of COPE by paying a subscription fee., however,
COPE is reliant on the publishers to provide detailsof theirjoumals, and to infomi COPE of any changes.
It is therefore not always possible to give an exact figure of the number of COPE journal members at
any specific date as there is often a delay before the publisher updates its records.
The launch of COPE'S university and research institutes membership in May 2022 saw eleven
universities agree to become members. During 2024 an additional three unrversities joined COPE and
the initiative is due to be launched more widely during 202512026.
Financial review
The overall result for 2024 was a deficit and has resulted in a decrease in total reserves:
Opening balance. reserves at 01 January 2024
£387,276
(li) Closing balance. reserves at 31 De￿rnber 2024
£343,304
The year end deficit of £43,972 represents a decrease from a surplus in 2023 of £33,149. Operating
costs increased from 2023 to 2024..
Total costs 2023
£533,158
(li) Total costs 2024
£682,134

COMMIThEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company Aimited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The increase in costs from 2023 to 2024 was £148.976. The main reasons for the rise in costs in 2024
relate to:
a) major InveSt￿Ent in the COPE website to better support our useTS ability to find the guidance and
content that support their needs. This entailed a full refresh of the design, layout and navigation
features.
b) Supporting United2Act. a joint project, in collaboration with the STM Association, on working to
eradicate paper mills.
c) An increase in meeting (x)sts owing to a COPE 'retreaY and supporting attendance at the Wodd
conferen￿ on Research Integrity.
Investment policy and perforniance
COPE is committed to the adoption and implementation of ethical policies with regard to its financial
investments. As such its banking arrangements reviewed to ensure that any monies held by COPE are
secure. COPE has since opened an additional savings account with the Nationwide to hold some of its
resetves to spread the risk in G3se of a banking issue.
Reserves policy
It has been agreed by the Counal that it is appropriate for COPE to maintain strategic financial reserves
sufficient to accommodate unavoidable operating costs for a period of 12 months in the event that Ihe
decision were to be made to dose COPE and ￿ase activities.
The Council has agreed that the amount for the strategic reserve should be at least £225,000 - this
amount to be reviewed and agreed annually. The figure has been set largely to aco)mmodate the costs
of the Executive Officer. Operations Manager. Senior Membership Administrator. Administrator and
freelance staff (Engagement & Outreach Officer. INebsite Manager. Designer. and Facilitation & Integrity
Officer): COPE does not incur significant overhead costs such as office accommodation or capital
assets. To the period ending 2024. the actual reserves were slighuy higher than the £225,000 agreed.
To return the reserve closer to the agreed level during 2024 Ihe Trustees have..
Committed to a large, muRi-year project whtch will transform ourdigrtal offering for our members.
As mentioned elsewhere. we have released phase one of a three-year project to upgrade and
transfoTm our website. offering a betler experience for our members. We will also be
implementing a CRM (Customer Relationship Managetnent system) which will allow us to more
effectively communicate with our members as well as our members engage more easily with
COPE. This is a significant project. with a significant budget attached, which will be paid for out
of the surplus we have accrued.
Plans for the future
• Future developments
COPE will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, develop and make available, relevant new
services and resources for its Members and others. Amongst those planned for 2025-2026 are:
Opening up general application for University & Research Institutes.

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
IA company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The implementation of its new strategic plan. ensuring that COPE'S operations can support the
goals and objectives.
A tender will be circulated during 2026 for a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.
This will help COPE to support its members better with more targeted reSoUr￿S and events.
Further development will also be undertaken on its website during 2026 to integrate the CRM with
the website.
Further collaboration WFth its partner organisations, including STM. DOAJ, WAME, UKRI etc.
Trustees Responsibllltles
The Trustees (who are also directors of the committ￿ on Publication Ethics for the purposes of
company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements
in accordan￿ with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards (United Kj'ngdom
Generally AC￿pted Accounting Prath"ce).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charTtable company for that
period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistsntly;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102).
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and pruden(.
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any
material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements"
prepare the financial statements on the going con￿rn basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the charitable company will cont'nue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordan￿ with the Statement of Recommended Practice. Accounting
and Reporting by Charities, and in accordance wrth the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 section
1A for Smaller Entities.
In preparing this report the Trustees have taken advantage of the small companies exemptions provided
by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf, by:
Nancy Ch8scheir, Chair
Dated: September 29, 2025
10

COMmI￿EE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Independent examinefs report to the Trustees of Committee on Publication Ethics
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31
De￿rnber 2024 which are set out on pages 12 to 21.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the company (and also its direthrs for the purposes of company law} you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006
{'the 2006 Act,).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts ot the company a￿ not required to be audited under Part 16 of the
2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respecl of my examination of yoijr company's
accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act,). In carrying out my
examination I have followed the Directions gNen by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011
ACL
Independent examinetrs statement
Since the company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in
section 145 of 2011 ACL I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of
ICAEW. which is one of the listed bc¥Jies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attents.on in connection with the
examination giving rre cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting Tecords were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act. or
the accounts do not accord with those records: or
the accounts do not comply with the accountirKJ requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any
requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an
independent examination., or
the accounts have not been prepared in accordan￿ with Ihe methods and principles of the Ststement of
Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accoTdance viith the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
{FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other nBtters in connection with the examination lo which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Danielle Griffin FCA
Moore (South) LLP
Suite 3, Second Floor
Friary Court
13-21 High Street
Guildford
Surrey GU13DG
11

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(Incorporating income and expenditure account)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Note
INCOMING RESOURCES
Other trading activities
Investment income
636.230
1,932
565. 669
638
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
638,162
566.307
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities
Other
675,274
6,860
525,304
7, 854
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
MOVEMENT IN TOTAL FUNDS FOR THE YEAR~ NEr
(LOSS)ISURPLUS FOR THE YEAR
143.972)
33,749
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total funds at l January 2024
387 276
354 121
TOTAL FUNDS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
The results for the year derive from continuing activities and there are no gains or losses other than those shown
above.
The notes on pages 14 to 21 fom part of these f nancial ststements.
12

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION EThICS
IA company Ilmlted by guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 06389120
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT31 DECEMBER 2024
2024
2023
Note
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash at bank
65,857
5,568
428,879
354.305
434,447
LIABILITIES
CREDITORS: amounts falling due within
one year
11,001
NET CURRENT ASSETS
343,304
387 276
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
387.276
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
12
343,304
387.276
For the financial year ended 31 December 2024 the company was entitled lo exemption from audit under section
477 of the Companies Act 20[￿ relating to small companies.
Directors. responsibilities:
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of tts financial statements for the year
in question in accordan￿ with section 476.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with
respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies
subject to the small companies. regime and the charities Statement of Recommended Practice and Financial
Reporting Standard 102 section 1
The financial statements were approved by the Directors on and signed on their behalf, by:
i eeLL
Nancy Chescheir. Chair
Dated: September 29. 2025
The notes on pages 14 to 21 form part of these financial ststements.
13

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limitsd by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Company Status
The company is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The company is
incorporated in England & Wales. The company is governed by its association of articles completed
on 3 October 2007, and subsequent arnends as noted on page 2. The company VRS registered with
the Charty Commission on 29 February 2008. registered number 1123023. The add￿sS of the
registered office is given in the Referen￿ and Administrative Details given on page 1 of these
financial statements. The members of the ￿MpanY are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event
of the company being wound up. the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member
of the company. The nature of the charities operations and principal activities are explained in the
Trustees Report.
The company constitutes a public benefit as defined by FRS102.
1.2 Basls of preparation of financlal ststements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wrth Accounting and Reporting by
Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in
accordancewith the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, SORP
(FRS102) (second edition), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and
Republic of Ireland (FRS102) section 1A and the Charities Act 2011.
The financial ststernents are prepared on a going concem basis under the historical cost oonvention.
The financial statements are prepared in sterfing which is the functional currency, and have been
rounded to the nearest pound.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise
stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
The charity has taken advantage ofthe exemption not to produ￿ a cash flow under SORP (FRS102}
(Second edition).
1.3 Golng concern
At the time of approving the accounts. the Trustees have a reasonabFe expectation that the company
has adequate resour￿$ to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. The Trustees conts'nue to
adopt the going concem basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
14

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company Ilmited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1.4 Incomlng resources
All incoming resources are induded in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity
is legally entitled to the income, the amount can be reliab]y measured and it is probable that the
income will be received.
Subscriptions are raised from the date of acceptan￿ to 31 December each year. They are recorded
in full when receivable. Any subscriptions that are waived in the year are induded as subscription
income and as a grant payable.
other income is recorded when it is received.
Interest receivable is accounted for on an accruals basis.
1.5 Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is inclusive of ir￿CoVerable VAT.
Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third
parties, it is prOba1￿e that the setllement will be required and the obligation can be measured reliably.
The charity's seminar costs are allocated to direct charitable expenditure.
Expenditure on charitable activities includes grants with rel￿￿nI support costs and govemance costs.
Grants are ch￿ged in the year they are approved for payment. No grants are deferred.
other expenditure indudes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor
part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
1.6 Allocation of support costs
Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity. but do not diTectly undertake
charitable activities. Support costs include salaries and administrative expenses. These costs have
all been allocated to charttable acttvities as there is only one activty undertaken by the charity.
1.7 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlernent amount due after any trade discount offered.
Prepayments are valued at the arn￿nt prepahj net of any trade discounts due.
1.8 Cash at Bank and In Hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly IiquTd investrnenls with short maturity
of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the depostt or similar account.
1.9 Credltors
Creditors are recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from past events and
can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amounts.
15

COMMrrTEE ON PUBLICATION EfHICS
IA company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1.10 Pension Costs
The charitable ￿npanY pays contributions into a defined contribution scheme for its eMploy￿S and
the pension charge represents the amunts payable by the charitable company in respect of the year.
The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charitable company in an
independently administered fund.
1.11 Financial instruments
The company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial
instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently
measured at their settlement value.
1.12 Foreign currencies
Foreign currency transactions are initially recognised by applying to the foreign currency amount the
spot exchange rate be￿een the fvnctional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the
transaction.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency at the balan￿ sheet date are
translated using the closing rate.
1.13 Unrestrlcted funds
Unrestricted funds are subscriptions and incoming resources receivable or generated for the objects
of the charity without further speafied purpose and are available as general funds.
1.14 Judgements and Koy Sources of Estimation Uncertainty
In the applicatv)n of the charitable company's accounting policies. the Trustees are required to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are
not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on
historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ
from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to
accounting estimates are recognised in the period which the estimate is pvised where the revision
affects only that period, or in the period of the reViS￿n and future periods where the revision affects
both current and future periods.
The Trustees do not believe that the￿ are any judgements or estimates that affect these accounts.
16

COMMirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
INCOMING RESOURCES FROM OTHER TRADING ACTMTIES
Total
funds
2024
Total
funds
2023
Subscriptions
Subscriptions waived
Other income
551,582
82.853
495.472
70,197
636.230
565,669
All income from other trading activities foi 2024 and 2023 was unrestricted.
RESOURCES EXPENDED ON CHARITABLE ACTMES
Total
funds
2024
Total
funds
2023
Grants Payable (Note 5)
Seminar costs
Website costs
Support costs (see below)
82,853
56.042
189.897
70,197
37, 798
95,679
321630
525,304
675,274
All expenditure on charitable activities for 2024 and 2023 was unrestricted.
ALLOCATION OF SUPPORT COSTS
Total
2024
Total
2023
General administration
Administration
Research
Insurance
Meeting costs
PR & Marketing
Personal developTh￿nt and training
Sponsorship
Untversity membership and administration
Bad debts
United to Act
66,546
189.098
67,317
171.535
13. 743
2.331
3.604
33.109
2,334
2,509
14,992
26,892
1.782
910
26,595
24,515
2,258
346,482
321,630
I support costs are direclly attributable to the Charitable Activities.
17

COMPAIThEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
IA company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
OTHER
Total
Funds
2024
Total
funds
2023
Independent examinerfs fees
Accountsncy and bookkeeping
Legal and professional fees
Governance costs
2,500
2.925
1A01
2,380
3,368
1,304
802
7,854
6,860
All expenditure on other costs for 2024 and 2023 was unrestricted.
Included in the above are governance costs totalling £4.360 (2023 - £5,385).
ANALYSIS OF GRANTS PAYABLE
2024
2023
Individuals
Subscriptions waived
82,853
70,197
The subscriptions warrfed relate to 356 members (2023 - 337) r￿NIng grants of various amounts,
depending upon the number of journals published.
TRUSTEES
During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2023 - £Nil).
No (2023- no) trustees re￿iVed reimbursement of expenses of £Nil (2023 - £Nil> in respect of travel and
subsistence costs for attendance at council meeb'ngs and seminars.
In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Trustees may be paid all reasonable
and proper expenses incurred by them in connection with their attendan￿ at meetings and in discharge
of their duties.
18

COMpiiirrEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
STAFF COSTS
Staff costs were as follows:
31 December
2024
31 December
2023
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Employers allowance
Pension costs
179.939
19.811
(5.000)
3.754
198,504
159, 882
17,670
(5,000)
3.284
169.268
The average mnthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
31 December
2024
No.
31 December
2023
No.
Operab'onal staff
1 etnployee (2023 - 1) received employee benefits (exduding employer pension costs) amounting to
between £80,000 and £90.000 during the year.
The total amount of remuneration, including Employers NIC arKI pension, paid to key management
personnel in the year was £91,252 (2023 - £87,225).
DEBTORS
2024
2023
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
65.093
764
4.804
764
65,857
5.568
CREDITORS:
Amounts falling due within ono year
2024
2023
Accnjals and deferred irKome
Trade creditors
other creditors
Taxation and social S￿u11ty
4.140
4, 140
36,353
1, 636
5, 042
1.691
5.170
47,171
19

COPAMITTEE ON PUBLICATION ETHICS
(A company limited by guardntee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
qo. DEFERRED INCOME
2024
2023
At 1 January
Additions in year
Released in year
171
(171)
At 31 December
11. PENSIONS
The Gharitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for qualifying employees. The
assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered
fund.
At 31 December 2024 £1.691 (2023 - £1,636) was induded in creditors.
12. STATEMENT OF FUNDS
Brought
Incoming
Forward Resources
Resources
Expended
Carried
Forward
Unrestrlcted funds
General fvnds
387 276
638 162
682 134
343,304
Unrestricted funds for year ended 31 December 2023
Brought
Forward
Incoming Resources
Resources Expended
Carried
Forward
Unrestricted funds
General funds
354, 127
566.307
533. 158
387,276
20

COMMrrrEE ON PUBLICATION EfHICS
(A company Ilmlted by guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
13. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Current
Assets
Llabllltles
Total
Unrestricted funds
General funds
291,503
Unrestricted funds for year ended 31 Decernber 2023
Current
Assets
Llabilities
Total
Unrestrlcted funds
General funds
434.447
47,171
387,276
14. CONTROLLING PARTY
There is no controlling party.
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the year the company indemnified the trustees against any liability by taking out insurance costing
£2,509 (2023 - £2,231) on their behalf.
21