Policies

IWGT Organisational & Sponsorship Information

Organisational Status

The International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) is an ad hoc international scientific working group affiliated with the European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS).

IWGT is not a subscription-based membership organisation. Its workshops take place approximately every four years, usually as satellite meetings associated with the International Conference on Environmental Mutagens.

IWGT’s activities are directed by its Steering Committee. Individual workshops are delivered with administrative and professional support commissioned for that event.

IWGT’s EEMGS affiliation does not alter the responsibility of individual participants to comply with the professional, governmental, regulatory or ethical obligations of their respective employers and organisations.

Aims & Objectives

IWGT aims to advance the science and regulatory application of genotoxicity testing by bringing together international experts from academia, industry, health authorities and regulatory agencies.

Its objectives are to:

• examine important, difficult or controversial questions in genotoxicity testing;

• conduct extensive scientific preparation through specialist working groups;

• facilitate open, evidence-based discussion among relevant stakeholder groups;

• develop data-driven consensus recommendations wherever possible;

• identify limitations, differing views and priorities for additional research where consensus cannot be achieved;

• present workshop conclusions to the wider scientific community; and

• publish working-group reports in appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Each working group normally includes a Chair, Co-Chair, Rapporteur and invited experts with relevant scientific or regulatory experience.

Scientific recommendations are determined by the working groups and Steering Committee through critical evaluation of the available evidence. They are not determined by sponsors or other funders.


Terms of Reference

1: Purpose

These Terms of Reference describe the structure and operation of IWGT as an ad hoc scientific working group affiliated with EEMGS.

They supplement any EEMGS governance requirements applicable to IWGT. If these Terms of Reference conflict with a binding EEMGS governance requirement, the EEMGS requirement will prevail.

2: Steering Committee

IWGT is directed by a Steering Committee comprising a Chair, one or more Co-Chairs and other individuals appointed for their expertise and experience.

The Steering Committee is responsible for:

• selecting workshop topics;

• establishing working groups;

• appointing working-group leaders and participants;

• maintaining the scientific integrity and independence of IWGT;

• approving workshop budgets and sponsorship arrangements;

• overseeing event administration and contractors;

• managing organisational and reputational risks;

• addressing conflicts of interest; and

• supporting the preparation and publication of workshop reports.

Appointments should take account of scientific expertise, regulatory and professional perspectives, geographical representation, continuity and inclusion.


3: Working Groups

Each working group will normally have a Chair, Co-Chair and Rapporteur.

Working groups are responsible for:

• reviewing the relevant scientific evidence;

• undertaking preparatory discussions and analysis;

• considering different scientific and regulatory perspectives;

• developing consensus recommendations where supported by the evidence;

• recording important limitations or differences of opinion;

• presenting conclusions at the IWGT workshop and associated scientific meetings; and

• preparing a report for peer-reviewed publication.


4: Decision Making

Scientific decisions should normally be reached through evidence-based consensus.

Where full consensus cannot be achieved, a majority position may be accepted provided that significant objections, uncertainties and limitations are recorded accurately.

The Steering Committee will maintain an appropriate record of significant organisational and financial decisions.

5: Finance

IWGT does not receive regular membership subscriptions. Workshop funding is obtained principally from:

• delegate registration fees; and

• sponsorship from appropriate organisations.

IWGT funds must be used solely to support its scientific and organisational purposes. This may include venue and equipment hire, event administration, publication activities and reasonable travel or accommodation support for working-group participants who cannot obtain funding from their employers.

Appropriate financial records and approval controls must be maintained.


6: Scientific Independence

Sponsors, service providers and other contributors may not:

• determine working-group membership solely to advance a commercial interest;

• control scientific discussions;

• require a particular conclusion or recommendation;

• suppress legitimate scientific findings;

• improperly influence authorship or publication; or

• present sponsorship as scientific or regulatory endorsement by IWGT.

7: Conflicts of Interest

Steering Committee members, working-group leaders and other persons making material IWGT decisions must disclose relevant actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

Conflicts must be recorded and managed under the IWGT Conflict of Interest Policy.

8: Review

These Terms of Reference will be reviewed before each IWGT workshop and whenever there is a material change to IWGT’s structure or relationship with EEMGS.

Adopted by the IWGT Steering Committee on: XXX (DATE)

Policy for Sponsorship of IWGT Meetings

Purpose

IWGT workshops take place approximately every four years and do not receive income from regular membership subscriptions.

Delegate registration fees cover only part of the cost of organising a workshop. Sponsorship is therefore important in supporting venue and equipment hire, administration, scientific publication and reasonable assistance with travel or accommodation for working-group participants who cannot obtain support from their employers.

Potential Sponsors

IWGT may seek or accept support from organisations including:

• scientific and professional associations;

• trade associations;

• industrial companies;

• publishers of scientific journals and books;

• research organisations; and

• other organisations whose support is compatible with IWGT’s scientific purposes and reputation.

IWGT reserves the right to decline sponsorship where accepting it could create an unacceptable legal, ethical, scientific or reputational risk.


Sponsorship Levels

IWGT does not operate fixed sponsorship tiers. Contributions of any appropriate amount may be considered. Sponsors have historically contributed approximately £500–£5,000, although this range is not a requirement or guarantee.

The value of a contribution does not provide a sponsor with greater influence over IWGT’s scientific programme, discussions, conclusions or publications.


Sponsor Recognition

Subject to the agreed sponsorship arrangements, IWGT may:

• display the sponsor’s name and logo on the IWGT website;

• display the sponsor’s name and logo during the workshop;

• acknowledge the sponsor in appropriate event materials;

• make a reasonable quantity of the sponsor’s scientific or corporate literature available to delegates; and

• provide sponsors with publicly releasable workshop slides or summaries after their scientific presentation.

All use of names and logos is subject to the approval of the respective rights holder.


Exhibitions & Promotional Materials

Because venue space is limited, IWGT does not normally provide exhibition stands.

Sponsors may be permitted to supply a reasonable quantity of leaflets or small brochures for delegates to collect voluntarily. Materials must:

• be relevant and professionally appropriate;

• comply with applicable laws and industry requirements;

• not contain misleading claims;

• not imply endorsement by IWGT, EEMGS, a regulator or any participant’s employer; and

• be approved by IWGT before distribution.

IWGT may decline or remove materials that do not meet these requirements.


Scientific Outputs

Each IWGT working group aims to produce a report setting out its conclusions, recommendations and consensus statements. Reports are normally submitted to an appropriate peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Working-group findings may also be presented at the International Conference on Environmental Mutagens or another relevant scientific meeting.

Sponsors may receive copies of publicly available reports and, where authorised by the presenters and appropriate for release, presentation slides or an early summary of workshop outcomes.

Sponsorship does not give a sponsor:

• advance control over findings;

• a right to edit or approve scientific material;

• privileged access to confidential working-group discussions;

• an entitlement to authorship;

• ownership of workshop outputs; or

• access to delegates’ personal information without a separate lawful basis.


Conflicts & Disclosures

Sponsorship relationships will be documented and disclosed appropriately.

Members of the Steering Committee and working groups must disclose relevant financial, professional or organisational interests. Actual, potential or perceived conflicts will be managed under IWGT’s Conflict of Interest Policy.


Anti-Bribery Requirements

Sponsorship must never be offered, requested or accepted as an inducement or reward for:

• a favourable scientific conclusion;

• preferential access to regulators or other participants;

• selection of particular working-group members;

• the award of a contract;

• favourable treatment of a product or organisation; or

• any other improper advantage.

Sponsorship payments must be made through the approved payment process and accurately recorded. Cash payments and payments to an individual’s personal account will not be accepted.



Use of Funds

Sponsorship income will be applied to legitimate workshop and scientific costs. Unless expressly agreed for a lawful restricted purpose, sponsorship will support the workshop budget generally rather than a particular scientific conclusion or recommendation.

Cancellation

Any cancellation, refund or transfer of sponsorship will be handled in accordance with the written sponsorship agreement and costs already reasonably incurred by IWGT.

Contact

Sponsorship enquiries should be directed to the IWGT administration office: iwgt@phproductionservices.co.uk

Organisational Status & Governance

General

The International Workshops on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT) is an ad hoc international scientific working group affiliated with the European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS).

IWGT is responsible for the governance, scientific direction, financial oversight, sponsorship arrangements, data protection and administration of its workshops and related activities. In carrying out these responsibilities, IWGT operates within and complies with the applicable rules and principles of the EEMGS Constitution.

IWGT is not a subscription-based membership organisation and does not have members who pay regular subscriptions. Workshops take place approximately every four years, usually as satellite meetings associated with the International Conference on Environmental Mutagens.

IWGT’s activities are directed by its Steering Committee. The Steering Committee may appoint event organisers, professional advisers and other service providers, but IWGT retains oversight and responsibility for its activities.


Governing Documents

IWGT is governed by:

1. the applicable provisions of the EEMGS Constitution;

2. IWGT’s Terms of Reference;

3. policies adopted by the IWGT Steering Committee; and

4. applicable law and regulatory requirements.

If an IWGT policy or decision conflicts with a binding provision of the EEMGS Constitution, the EEMGS Constitution will prevail.

Responsibility of the Steering Committee

The IWGT Steering Committee is responsible for:

• establishing IWGT’s scientific priorities;

• selecting workshop topics and working groups;

• protecting the scientific independence and integrity of IWGT;

• approving budgets, expenditure and sponsorship arrangements;

• overseeing registration and event administration;

• adopting and reviewing organisational policies;

• managing actual, potential and perceived conflicts of interest;

• ensuring that personal information is handled appropriately;

• appointing and overseeing contractors and service providers; and

• ensuring compliance with the applicable provisions of the EEMGS Constitution.


Privacy Responsibility

IWGT is responsible for deciding how and why personal information collected for IWGT workshops and related activities is used.

Event organisers, registration-platform providers, payment providers, venues and other suppliers may process personal information on IWGT’s behalf or for their own stated purposes. IWGT will ensure that responsibilities are appropriately documented and that participants are informed about relevant third parties.

Privacy enquiries and requests should be sent to the IWGT administration office: iwgt@phproductionservices.co.uk



Privacy Statement for Sponsors and Other Organisations

IWGT is an ad hoc scientific working group affiliated with EEMGS. IWGT is responsible for organising and governing its workshops and operates within the applicable rules of the EEMGS Constitution.

Because IWGT is not a separately incorporated membership body, it does not maintain conventional corporate bylaws. Its governance framework consists of the EEMGS Constitution, IWGT’s Terms of Reference and policies approved by the IWGT Steering Committee.

Copies of the relevant governing documents and policies can be provided on request.


IWGT Meeting 2026: Registration Ts & Cs

Tue 1 - Fri 4 September, John McIntyre Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK

Payments

Payments for registration and student accommodation is by card only.

Refunds are given as follows:

• Before midnight Tuesday 9 June 2026: 100% refund

• From Wednesday 10 June – midnight Tuesday 4 August 2026: 50% refund

• From Wednesday 5 August onwards: no refund


Cancellation by the organiser

In the event that the IWGT Meeting 2026 is cancelled by the organiser, all registration fees will be refunded in full. However, the IWGT will not be liable for any additional expenses incurred because of cancellation.