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HAS status as an independent public authority calls for a particularly high standard of independence and impartiality from all those involved in its work. This independence from both executive authorities and economic and social stakeholders means that ethical obligations, in particular prevention of conflicts of interest, must be respected.
Public declarations of interests
Members of the HAS Board and committees, management and staff, working groups and councils must complete a public declaration of interests upon taking office. Officials who participate in assessment activities and the development of HAS recommendations, standards and opinions must also complete a public declaration of interests.
These declarations of interests are rigorously analysed by HAS to ensure that individuals who participate in its work do not have any personal connections likely to compromise their independence.
Public Declarations of Interest may be found here, a dedicated database managed by the Ministry in charge of Health.
Handling and preventing conflict of interests
Since its creation in 2005, the HAS set up rules to manage and to ensure that its external experts do not have any financial or other interests that could affect their impartiality. In 2016, regarding to the modernization of our health system law (decree 2016-779 of June 10, 2016) the HAS has appointed an ethics officer responsible for ensuring compliance with the obligations to declare links of interest and prevention conflicts of interest. Named every 3 years, he ensures that the established rules are fully and consistently implemented. He also provides support in the case of complex decision-making.
Reference documents (in French only)
The HAS guide for declaration of interests and management of conflicts of interest defines the procedures in place at the HAS to guarantee transparency and independence.
An ethics charter specifies the ethical obligations that apply to all individuals who lend support to HAS, regardless of status, position and mission.
HAS' methodological requirements shared across all productions, all of which are founded on principals of scientific rigor, transparency and independence.
