Authors, editors and reviewers must disclose relationships or circumstances that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their professional judgement. Relevant interests may be financial, professional, academic, institutional or personal.
The existence of a conflict does not automatically prevent publication or participation in review. The purpose of disclosure is to allow appropriate management and transparency.
Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where their impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Reviewers must decline invitations where an unmanaged conflict could affect independent assessment.
Published articles should include a conflict-of-interest declaration.